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    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.

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Search results

  1. melc23

    Overcoming MS book and protocol

    I know this is about a different illness but there is some evidence that ME and MS are similar. I also believe that there is a lot to do with autoimmune research that is helpful to us. So I was wondering if anyone had read or come across this book and had found it useful. Would love to hear...
  2. melc23

    Low HRV and Getting Lower!

    I have had ME and fibromyalgia for about ten years and have had some success in certain lifestyle changes to manage the conditions. I have been working hard though over the last few weeks again to try to turn around the relapse I have been experiencing since September last year. One thing I...
  3. melc23

    Sleep quality

    Thanks so much there is so much good stuff here! I really identify with the driving and socialising thing and hadn't really thought about connecting certain activities with my sleep problems before. I have just set up the Nomie 2 app today after reading a recommendation on PR which helps...
  4. melc23

    Sleep quality

    This is exactly my thinking, Wishful. I don't really want to use chemicals if I can help it. I have a very low sugar diet already but would be interested to know if there are any specific activity changes you would suggest? Thanks.
  5. melc23

    Sleep quality

    Thanks so much for sharing - definitely think I need to have magnesium for more reasons than one. Lots of food for thought.
  6. melc23

    Sleep quality

    This looks interesting and there is sense in your theory. Thanks for he recommendation.
  7. melc23

    Sleep quality

    No I haven't had a sleep study. I'd rather avoid meds where possible although I may be open to antihistamines as I take non-drowsy for hayfever in the summer anyway though not all year round. So would be happy to give benadryl or piriton a go but don't really want to become reliant on anything.
  8. melc23

    Sleep quality

    Hi there, Can anyone help me to improve my sleep quality. I rarely get enough deep sleep or REM according to my fitbit. Sometimes I'm aware of restlessness but mostly not. I don't get insomnia and drop off really easily though I do wake up between 4am and 5am most days and am unable to get...
  9. melc23

    Pain in sides

    I'm currently in the biggest crash I've had for 3 years. I'm experiencing fatigue, headaches, brain fog, etc. Also my HR is pretty spiky and GP has referred me for a holter monitor. But the last couple of days I've been getting pain in my sides under my ribs which goes across front too. It's...
  10. melc23

    Computer time

    I get a lot of pleasure researching my family history on the computer and spend many hours doing it sometimes. But I do find I get neck headaches and brain fog often when I've been on the computer a lot. Is there a way of reducing this? Is it more mental fatigue or computer use. Would...
  11. melc23

    PEM - what's caused it this time?

    I have got a hr monitor and do tend to find that my HR is quite high. I find that it's often high first thing in the morning and in the afternoons. (I often have quite a lot of salt in my lunch - don't know if that's why its high in the afternoons) So it can be quite hard to keep it down say...
  12. melc23

    PEM - what's caused it this time?

    Can anyone advise me about general management of my ME and pacing so I can avoid crashes? Almost every week I end up crashing at some point, but often find it hard to identify what has caused it. Sometimes I get so fed up with trying to figure it out and feeling bad because I'm wondering if...
  13. melc23

    Tachycardia - what should I do?

    Just thought I'd let you know I've been to GP this morning. Had ecg - hr is def fast but no other problems showing. Done more blood tests and wants me to go back in two weeks. She wants to keep a watch on it and decide if needs further investigation. I'm imagining though that it's just the ME...
  14. melc23

    Tachycardia - what should I do?

    I have been wearing a chest hr monitor for the last week and have been concerned that I seem to be tachycardiac in the afternoons. My resting heart rate whilst lying on the sofa is averaging at 110 but sitting typing this on my tablet its peaking at 130 BPM. I'm naturally concerned about this...
  15. melc23

    Hate doing nothing

    Can anyone help me understand how I balance activity and rest? I rest on settee in front of TV most days between 9am-3pm and spend a lot of time on computer, tablet or reading. Then I collect kids from school so have to be more active til they are in bed. Then I watch TV/read again until about...
  16. melc23

    Low heart rate and chills - is there a link?

    I was diagnosed with ME in March and, after reading the forums here, took the advice of wearing a HR monitor. I have been trying to pace myself by keeping within my estimated anaerobic threshold. Usually my resting heart rate is in the 80s or 90s (although it does jump around quite a lot)...