Please read this:
Indygal
and send an e-mail to Phil Woolas. We know he can be swayed - Joanna Lumley helped him see sense about the Gurkhas.
You can follow the campaign on Facebook
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Swine Flu Jag
I got a letter last week inviting me to attend my GP practice for a swine flu immunization. I have been receiving seasonal flu jags for a few years now because of my diabetes, and the swine flu inoculation offer followed on from that as I am in a risk category.
It was all an interesting experience. I found myself in a packed waiting room, and, as you do, began to eavesdrop a little. I was surprised at the general level of scepticism and fear in the room. People have become very suspicious, if not of science and medicine, certainly of the motives of the politicians and civil servants who set policy. Despite that 300 or so had turned up. I'm a bit more positive. I really don't want the flu, so I went for the jab with a glad heart.
I have to say I've felt pretty ill ever since - But I imagine that the strength of my reaction to the jag is indicative of my need for immunization. It's set off a lot of symptoms that could be either flu-like of ME. I'm tired, achy, can't concentrate,blah, blah, blah.
I'm glad I've had it though. It's still better than the real deal swine flu.
My advice for ME sufferers - get the jab, but clear your diary for 4 or 5 days afterwards.
It was all an interesting experience. I found myself in a packed waiting room, and, as you do, began to eavesdrop a little. I was surprised at the general level of scepticism and fear in the room. People have become very suspicious, if not of science and medicine, certainly of the motives of the politicians and civil servants who set policy. Despite that 300 or so had turned up. I'm a bit more positive. I really don't want the flu, so I went for the jab with a glad heart.
I have to say I've felt pretty ill ever since - But I imagine that the strength of my reaction to the jag is indicative of my need for immunization. It's set off a lot of symptoms that could be either flu-like of ME. I'm tired, achy, can't concentrate,blah, blah, blah.
I'm glad I've had it though. It's still better than the real deal swine flu.
My advice for ME sufferers - get the jab, but clear your diary for 4 or 5 days afterwards.
Sunday, 22 November 2009
ME, CFS, XMRV,ESA, MPs, MSP
One of the more irritating by-blows of an illness is a surfeit of acronyms. My ME or CFS is now thought to be caused by the XMRV retro-virus. I'm quite ill, and I can't work - but apparently I'm not ill enough that the UK Government considers me eligible for Employment Support Allowance. The only treatment I have been offered was a brush with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, not a treatment that is well suited to a retro-viral condition. Whilst it is the UK Government that pay benefit in Scotland, Health is a devolved matter, so it would appear that decisions about research and treatment will be made in Edinburgh.
I'm going to start firing off a few emails to relevant politicians, both in Westminster and Holyrood. A Westminster election is imminent, and a Scottish election is due about a year later, so I hope that the fact that my vote is up for grabs might concentrate minds. I shall post extracts of the replies here, especially those that seem particularly supportive and practical and those that are dismissive, contemptuous or ill-informed.
I'm going to start firing off a few emails to relevant politicians, both in Westminster and Holyrood. A Westminster election is imminent, and a Scottish election is due about a year later, so I hope that the fact that my vote is up for grabs might concentrate minds. I shall post extracts of the replies here, especially those that seem particularly supportive and practical and those that are dismissive, contemptuous or ill-informed.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Mickel Therapy?
I was a little concerned to see a comment added to my last post that appears to be an advertisement for a rather expensive course of psychological treatment for ME. At a time when the evidence for ME having a physical cause - in the form of a virus - is stronger than ever, I find myself very unconvinced by a suggestion of a psychological 'cure'.
In my previous incarnation as a Social Worker, I had plentiful dealings with Cognitive Behavioural therapies, and I know that they have a great deal to offer in appropriate cases. I was offered CBT myself through the ME clinic here in Fife, and benefited from it. The benefit, however, was not that it cured my ME, rather that it helped me to learn to live with it, negotiate with it, manage it, so that I could still achieve goals (albeit limited ones) and avoid despair. What it didn't do was 'cure' my ME, nor did I ever expect it to; psychology isn't about curing chronic physical illness.
Even if I had been tempted to try 'Mickel Therapy', the fact that it was presented to me in a spam post to my blog would have set me against the idea. It's been pushed at me in the same way as those Nigerian 'get rich quick' emails that invite you to give lots of money to someone you've never heard of. Well, I'd never heard of Mickel before today, and just like the Nigerian spammers, he's getting none of my limited funds.
I'd really appreciate comments on this. I am actually quite angry about what I see as an attempt to deceive me into parting with money that I don't really have in the vain hope of being cured of a chronic physical condition by some form of psychotherapy.
In my previous incarnation as a Social Worker, I had plentiful dealings with Cognitive Behavioural therapies, and I know that they have a great deal to offer in appropriate cases. I was offered CBT myself through the ME clinic here in Fife, and benefited from it. The benefit, however, was not that it cured my ME, rather that it helped me to learn to live with it, negotiate with it, manage it, so that I could still achieve goals (albeit limited ones) and avoid despair. What it didn't do was 'cure' my ME, nor did I ever expect it to; psychology isn't about curing chronic physical illness.
Even if I had been tempted to try 'Mickel Therapy', the fact that it was presented to me in a spam post to my blog would have set me against the idea. It's been pushed at me in the same way as those Nigerian 'get rich quick' emails that invite you to give lots of money to someone you've never heard of. Well, I'd never heard of Mickel before today, and just like the Nigerian spammers, he's getting none of my limited funds.
I'd really appreciate comments on this. I am actually quite angry about what I see as an attempt to deceive me into parting with money that I don't really have in the vain hope of being cured of a chronic physical condition by some form of psychotherapy.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Keep Going
You keep going. That is the bodhisattva's way. As long as it benefits even one being you have to, without any sense of discouragement, go on.
~ His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa
I pinched this quote from lotusinthemud
It seems a pretty good motto to me.
A bodhisattva is one who compassionately puts helping others to be enlightened ahead of their own enlightenment.
~ His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa
I pinched this quote from lotusinthemud
It seems a pretty good motto to me.
A bodhisattva is one who compassionately puts helping others to be enlightened ahead of their own enlightenment.
Dazed and Confused
Well, after the great excursion to Edinburgh on Thursday, yesterday was the total wipe-out I'd anticipated. Every part of me ached, the brain fog was a real pea-souper, energy levels were flat and low. And guess what - today's the same.
However, at least I know I can get through a full day if I'm prepared to pay back with interest later.
However, at least I know I can get through a full day if I'm prepared to pay back with interest later.
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