Char's legs covered in itchy bumps. Title reads: allergic reaction, itching and hives. Personal Update.

Allergic Reaction: Itching And Hives

I went to the doctor again this week. This is the fourth doctor I’ve seen about my itching. She was lovely and also thinks it’s an allergic reaction after examining the bumps with a magnifying tool. She initially thought folliculitis, but changed her mind upon inspection. The constant itching and hives are really becoming a problem. They don’t go away anymore. They used to just last about an hour then go away, but this week it has been non-stop. So…

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Char sitting in a wheelchair in a botanical nursery. Title reads: shopping with the family, Personal Update.

My Wheelchair And I: Shopping With The Family

​I actually left the house this week! Leaving the house is not something that happens very often when you have a chronic illness as debilitating as M​yalgic Encephalomyelitis. Months can go by without seeing the other side of my front door. I have reached a point where I’m able to walk around the house daily without causing too much payback, but going out is still so utterly draining that it usually takes me days to recover. My First Outing In…

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Char lying on the sofa, looking exhausted. Title reads: how I've been since moving to the new house. Personal update.

How I’ve Been Since Moving To The New House

We are settled in the new house now and I’m happy to say that I’m doing much better than I was a few months ago in London! Of course I’m still housebound, but I’m able to be up and walk around the house in the day. No more staying in bed all day, except during flares if I overdo things. Something I did over the last two days, but other than that I haven’t ​had a big flare since moving…

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Some books and papers strewn on the table. Title reads: I'm still itching, time to find the unknown allergen. Personal update.

Still Itching: Time To Find The Unknown Allergen

I’m still struggling with this allergic reaction that started in February. I initially thought it was the Keto rash and tried coming off the ketogenic diet to get rid of it, without success. I then thought histamine intolerance, so I went low histamine, which cut out a huge amount of staples for me, including my main fat sources. So I added dairy back in. This full body itch still persists, I’m not sure what it is and it just won’t…

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Char lying down, looking drained. Title reads: It's been one of those days, again. Personal Update

It’s Been One Of Those Days, Again

Today is one of those days… I’ve overdone things this week. Went out to GP on Monday and although I was in wheelchair, it knocked me hard. As if that wasn’t enough, I then also went into Sainsbury’s afterwards to get my meds.  I should have stayed in the hot car rather than going with into the busy supermarket, but the pharmacy had a delay in preparing my medication, so we thought the cooler shop would be better than the…

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Title reads Keto for ME/cfs, How the ketogenic diet reduced my symptoms. Photo of asparagus, avocado, chia seeds, eggs and tomato on a while table top.

How The Ketogenic Diet Reduced My ME/CFS Symptoms

If you’ve been following my journey for a while, you’ll be aware that I use Keto for ME/cfs management. I often get asked what this ketogenic diet has done for me. What benefits have I had? Why should somebody give up those delicious carbs and starchy foods? Are the benefits really worth the sacrifice? Should you try Keto for ME/cfs too? In this post I’ll explain my journey so far. In short, in my opinion, the answer is yes –…

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Girl lying on a bed, looking thoughtful. Title reads, Reflections after two years in bed. Thoughts on Faith, Patience, Surrender & Acceptance.

Reflections After Two Years in Bed With ME/CFS

As the new month starts, I am filled with joy and anticipation. ​It’s been two years since I fell ill, that’s two whole years in bed with ME/CFS, but I am celebrating. My sister says remembering the very day I got sick is like a memorial, something sad and depressing, but it’s not like that for me! I have a very different perspective. I praise God that I have never felt hopeless or depressed by my current circumstances. I have…

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Meat and vegetables on a table. TItle reads: My first 40 days on the paleo-ketogenic diet. Using diet to manage my chronic pain and fatigue.

My First 40 Days On The Paleo-Ketogenic Diet

I’m happy to report that there have been some welcome improvements after a month on this LCHF (Low Carb, High Fat) diet! As discussed in a previous post, I started this journey into a Paleo-ketogenic lifestyle in February 2017 in an attempt to help improve my current condition. I have quite severe ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) which has left me bedridden about 98% of the time. Things were looking quite bleak a few weeks ago, I was getting progressively…

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A plate of fried eggs, salami and red pepper. Title reads: Transitioning to a paleo-ketogenic diet. Managing chronic fatigue and pain with diet

Transitioning To A Paleo-Ketogenic Diet

As some of you might know, I have recently started reading Dr. Sarah Myhill’s book, Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalitis. It’s a huge book, with over 400 pages, and includes so much detail about how the body works and what she believes is happening to sufferers of ME I’m so excited about this! I am currently unable to read all the scientific reasoning behind her approach and she actually warns the reader about this issue…

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Gold Christmas baubles hanging down. Title reads: Christmas 2016, a quiet dinner with friends, a personal update.

Christmas 2016 – A Quiet Dinner With Friends

Had a lovely quiet holiday weekend, but did enjoy my first outing in a couple of months on Christmas day. Was super blessed to have such understanding and considerate friends and that the Lord gave me just enough strength and relief to be able to really enjoy the day! Praise God! Christmas With Friends Our friends came to pick us up and brought us back later in the evening. We got to spend a quiet and fun evening with the…

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