My story that was published on Smile For M.E.’s website on Tuesday 30th April - read out so those who prefer listening whether it’s easier or prevents less flare ups/PEM, can get it too: smileforme.org.uk/april2024 smileforme.org.uk/shareastory smileforme.org.uk/shareastorymichael

I asked what you wish people knew about our condition and what misconceptions there are? You all answered brilliantly and I have compiled them into this little episode. Enjoy and thank you!

I was thinking what I could make the next podcast about, and two things presented themselves. George Monbiot wrote an article about ME/CFS in The Guardian. So I figured I could read that out so that those who struggle with reading could listen to the article. Links for all The Guardian article and follow up letters via the ME Association is below and on my social networks with linktree. And DecodeME had a little update which I have tagged onto the end of this episode. https://meassociation.org.uk/2024/03/the-guardian-letters-why-me-cfs-is-still-so-poorly-researched-and-treated/

A chat with the lovely Pippa Stacey who shares her M.E. Story via her blog, content creating and advocacy for this condition. See below for links or visit my Linktree on Instagram. https://www.lifeofpippa.co.uk https://www.instagram.com/lifeofpippa?igsh=MWloMnh4dmpoNjNrcQ== https://www.astriid.org

Happy New Year to you all. Nope there is no cure as of yet sadly. Just people selling pipe dreams to the chronically ill. Have a listen but please feel free to message me if you are upset or annoyed with this recent suggested cure. If you are unsure what I am referring to, please message me for more information. Michael x

Post Exertional Mayonnaise X Chat With M.E. Came together to produce a festive special podcast to publish on both of our platforms. https://www.instagram.com/post_exertional_mayonnaise?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== https://youtube.com/@Post-ExertionalMayonnaise?si=9hjlyKEZ8LeI3YWY https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/post-exertional-mayonnaise/id1689368709 https://x.com/pempodcast23?s=21 https://www.pantoonline.co.uk https://www.ntathome.com

In this episode I got to sit down and chat with no other than the author of the ‘A Girl’ series, Jessica Taylor-Bearman. We talked all about her experience of life with ME, family and of course the third and latest book in the A Girl trilogy. https://www.jaytay.co.uk https://instagram.com/jayletay?igshid=M2RkZGJiMzhjOQ== https://linktr.ee/jayletay?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=944041ec-4128-4d23-a705-e7fb34379f39

Looking at how we feel guilty as long term chronic illness patients.

A quick update on the past month in our crazy world; DecodeME and I Would be Here If I Could. Also what to expect in the upcoming shows.

Things have got a little tough since the holiday’s finished and trying to re-navigate the school run, more homework and life in general. Add a virus ontop of PEM and it feels like I need to end this season and have a break. This episode will just wrap up the season and a little taster of what’s to come when we return in November.

In this episode, we chat to the lovely Alison Larkman the driving force and person behind the project ‘I Would Be Here If I Could.’ Alison will explain what inspired her to start this project. And there is still time to get involved. Visit Alison’s website and the project site via the links below: www.alisonlarkman.com www.iwouldbehereificould.com/take-part https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsWISj3fTiTAGnyKks1om_1HJ-0Dz1iE3ITQopZILPDdh_Pw/viewform

This episode comes a week after the initial findings from DecodeME Study was released and received plenty of airtime on the television and radio last Thursday so I thought I’d incorporate a round up at the beginning of this episode. You can read the summary here: https://www.decodeme.org.uk/initial-findings-from-the-decodeme-questionnaire-data-published or a more detailed report here: https://openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/articles/3-20/v4 Then we move onto the original planned episode about what things there are to enjoy or use as active resting - not always possible depending on where you are in your journey or on the severity scale. But on some good days, we do manage to take some small pleasures.

This episode delves into the life led by someone, like myself, who has fluctuating M.E. With periods of remission and relapses to worse health regularly.

A look into the current genetic study that is taking place in the United Kingdom for ME/CFS. It is the largest study to date. Are you taking part? If not, listen to this to hear why it is important. And if you are already taking part, give it a listen anyway. This episode is in association with DecodeME and the information in the episode is current to the email the Decode team sent me for this show. Sign up at www.decodeme.org.uk *Contact details: info@decodeme.org.uk 0808 196 8664 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) www.decodeme.org.uk

A last look at methods used to help M.E. But sometimes don’t help at all and make us worse! Including the Pace Trial. Next episode will be more off the cuff and personal experience with relapse, fluctuations and remission.

Continuation of the management and treatment episode with help and research from the ME Association A-Z Symptom Management and the Purple Book

Part 1 looks at some of the symptoms and what we use for managing ME/CFS or treating secondary symptom. Thank you to ME Association and their A-Z guide on symptom management.

A lovely little chat with our eldest daughter Aurora to hear how she copes with a chronically ill papa.

A quick run through how ME Awareness Week went. Then a chat about Post Exertional Malaise, what it is and how it affects ME/CFS patients.

In this episode, there will be a talk about why awareness is so important as well as a run down of some of the fundraisers that are going on throughout the week and month of May. Also a heads up about Blue Sunday and the founder Anna Redshaw.