• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Karenironside

Blog details

I used to say to people when they asked me, "tell me about yourself." "Well, I'm the Head of English in a middle school, I live in Stratford upon Avon with my husband and two cats."

All the above is still true but now I need to also say I have M.E. It doesn't define who I am but it does define what I can do. Every day I must try and judge how much energy I have and what I can do to ensure I don't use it up! So whether I like it or not, it has become an essential element of who I am.