Too young to die of this awful condition
I WAS very interested to read your article regarding ME (M.E.N., April 2) and feel so sorry for the Crofts family. My heart goes out to them. I just felt I had to write to you. I was finally diagnosed with ME when I was 40, 21 years ago.
The medical profession was very ignorant of it. I was a very energetic person but it struck me down; no energy, so tired, I felt so sick. I could hardly walk upstairs to bed to sleep, and had terrifying nightmares.
I suffered aching limbs, weight loss and forgot things.
Some people found it strange and would say ‘have a cuppa, you will feel better!’
I only wish that would have helped. I had tests for everything but it all came back negative but I knew I was ill and thought the worst.
My employers were not supportive and I even visited the works doctor who did not get my medical records on three separate visits, would not listen to what I had to say, and made me do stupid tests which had nothing to do with ME.
It was obvious she did not believe in ME by the way she spoke and dismissed me.
It was so frustrating, I just wanted to shout at her that it was real.
I did finally get believed by my doctor who referred me to Mr Perrin in Prestwich, who diagnosed me with ME. I had a bad level, I had to go privately as it was not recognised – even years later when I mentioned it in hospitals I was met by blank stares by the medical profession.
If it had not been for treatment from Mr Perrin I do not know where I would have been.
I referred him to people who I came across who said that they had ME and they were helped by him.
Merryn was so young and beautiful to have lost her life to this awful wasting disease. Wendy Jones, Bury