ME Awareness: “I went to my GP to be told that M.E. did not exist as a recognised illness!” by Wend Jordan | 20 May 2020

The Lost Years by Wend Jordan.

My name is Wend and I have been ill with myalgic encephalomyelitis since at least 1993.

I’m not sure if the flu jab triggered it but I remember not feeling well soon afterwards.

I only found out that what M.E. was when reading a Daily Mail article on my way back from my honeymoon. The symptoms were the same as I was experiencing.

I went to my GP at the time with the article to be told that M.E. did not exist as a recognised illness!

This prevented me from seeking medical help until I decided to change GPs and found one who believed me and who better understood the condition.

I then was referred to a neurologist to rule out other possible causes for my symptoms and I was diagnosed with M.E. in June 1994.

I was offered amitriptyline as a treatment but that made no difference and other treatments over the years have had a similarly negative effect.

I was 23 when I first become ill and I haven’t been able to work since 1994. It is very isolating, and it affects my confidence.

There is still such a stigma attached to M.E. that I rarely talk about it even if people ask me about my illness – I’m worried by their reaction.

I also have hypothyroid as well as arthritis. This year I will be 50 years old. I would love a cure and to be pain free.

My pain is a constant every day and it really drags me down. I couldn’t cope without the support of my loved ones – especially my twin sister Tracey and my hubby Antony.

ME Awareness Month – May 2020

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The Lost Years

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