The woman featured in the program, Nicola, has written the following description of her experience on the MEA facebook thread discussing the program. Since it's a public page, I assume it's okay to copy it across to here. I've split it into shorter paragraphs.
https://www.facebook.com/meassociat...=notif¬if_t=like¬if_id=1498717090538746
'Hi everyone, I haven't read every message as it would take me all day but I hope that I can clarify some of the questions that keep being referred to.
Firstly I do have ME/CFS, I did then, still have it now albeit improving. The walk that keeps being mentioned was actually for 'well' people a walk that only takes 15 minutes. My philosophy at that time was that if I didn't push myself to keep moving then I would physically deteriorate. I would take painkillers before setting off and then not be able to move once home, it was my 'Mount Everest.'
The doctor found out that there was a problem within my gut which basically caused me to be heavily deficient in most vitamins, this was treated with antibiotics firstly and then I underwent a huge supplementation programme which included mitochondrial support.
The doctor banned me from any form of low key exercise or even walking the dog for 6 months to allow my body to heal as I had been pushing it too hard, I literally ran out of energy as I understand it.
As my fibromyalgia was caused by the gut issue, once that was sorted both the pains from fibro and the brain fog went away, that is what the show portrays and is correct in doing that.
I was also told to completely change my diet, no wheat/gluten/sugar or dairy as some of these food groups can create inflammation and therefore pains and by doing this I realised that gluten wheat and dairy are not great for my body.
In summation in order to improve I had to change my diet, take up supplementation, learn to listen to what my body was telling me rather than ignore it, learn about the autonomous nervous system and the sympathethic and parasympathetic nervous system within that, take up meditation which was a struggle as it didn't come naturally to me and sort out my personal stressors.
Since filming I have continued to improve, I have increased energy in terms that I am not sleeping as much during the day, I can go to bed later without paying for it, I no longer slur my words at night and I am so much more clearer cognitively.
I no longer have fibro so don't need the pain meds anywhere near as much but I still have a long journey to full recovery. I still cant work and I cannot run around etc, still struggle like you all do on a daily basis but without this programme I would have just gotten worse and worse.
The Optimal Health Clinic do exactly what Rangan did with me and they are a great source of information. For me ME/CFS is a multi factorial issue, its mental, emotional, physical and biological and to fully recover it all needs sorting. I wish every one of you the best of health you can be xxx'
EDIT TO ADD:
Nicola also made a couple of brief comments in response to questions:
'yes I was referred to Breightmet where I was taught pacing xx'
'the Optimum Health Clinic advised the same things Rangan went through with me. I attended their 90 day psychology course and that helped me to put all the puzzle pieces together so to speak. I would recommend them if you can afford it, there are different options too'
'Mindfulness is a way of calming your nervous system which then allows the body to heal. I thought it was nonsense at first but it has worked for me cos my body was constantly in the fight or flight mode. You may not be the same, but it does help lots of people so it's worth a go in my opinion'
'you could be on a ton of supplements but unless they are the right ones for you, they won't help'
It's a very lengthy discussion on FB, and I haven't read it all, but I think it's fascinating to see the difference between the story as Nicola tells it, and what the TV program portrayed, especially at its conclusion.
I think NIcola is a very brave person to have put herself through a treatment program in public like this, and to come on Facebook to tell her story. I'm sure any criticisms we make will be directed at the BBC and possibly some aspects of the treatment regime, not at her. I shall put a message on the FB discussion telling her, and everyone that it's being discussed here too, and inviting Nicola and others to join us.