ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast

We are a community health and clinical service organisation focused on improving the quality of life of people affected by the debilitating complex chronic illness ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and long COVID. Our MISSION: ✦ To improve the wellbeing of people, families and carers affected by ME/CFS by providing information, validation, clinical support, connection, and advocacy. ✦ To improve the quality of care available for those affected by ME/CFS by providing education, direction, and support to health professionals and the wider community. There are an estimated 2,600 people with ME/CFS in Canterbury, with 350 of them being young people and children. ME/CFS is a serious long-term illness that researchers are finding involves an abnormal physiological response to exercise, altered immune function, and impaired energy production. There is a fluctuating spectrum of symptom severity, with many people being house-bound, and the most severely affected are bed-bound. Most people with ME/CFS are socially isolated, are unable to work, and do not have access to adequate financial, home and mobility supports through the welfare and health systems. We promote the IOM 2015 Diagnostic Criteria endorsed by the CDC, which requires: • Reduced function with profound fatigue • Post-exertional malaise - when symptoms get significantly worse after effort (physical, cognitive). The symptom flare may occur 24 to 48 hours after the triggering effort. • Sleep dysfunction • Cognitive impairment &/or orthostatic intolerance • Other issues may be present e.g. pain, IBS, inflammation,