During ME Awareness time we are pleased to be able to report that a recent survey that we have run in Sussex and Kent shows that although ME can be a long term seriously disabling illness for some people there is much that can be done to help many patients make improvements.

Working with the Brighton & Sussex Medical School our organisation ran a survey about the experiences of those affected by Myalgic Encephalopathy or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome across the counties. This is the first professionally run comprehensive study of its type and the findings are being seriously viewed by service providers and users alike. The project looked at which NHS and other services people are using and how helpful these services are to patients. The questionnaire also enquired about which treatment approaches are being tried and how helpful those are. After analyzing nearly 500 completed questionnaires findings show that a number of approaches are helping a lot of people affected by the debilitating illness and that many doctors in the area are seen by ME patients as being helpful as is the Burgess Hill and Maidstone based NHS centers. Of those that have practiced the management approach of Pacing a massive 94% found it of some help or very helpful. Treatments such as specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has helped 74% of those that have tried it and specialist pain medications have helped the majority prescribed them as have low doses of particular antidepressants that can help some with sleep, mood and pain. Lifestyle courses run by the NHS centers and the Expert Patient Programmes are helping a lot of people. Alternative approaches such as Yoga, Nutrition, The Lightning Process, Acupuncture and Homeopathy are also rated highly by patients who have benefited from them.