As one half of Britainââ¬â¢s most powerful political couple, she is fiercely protective of her private life. But Yvette Cooper chose the Telegraph Hay Festival to talk extensively about her battle with ME.
The Shadow Home Secretary was struck down with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ââ¬â also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ââ¬â when she was just 24 and working as a researcher for John Smith, the then Labour Party leader.
ââ¬ÅI got flu one January and it basically never went away,ââ¬Â she told the audience on Saturday. ââ¬ÅIt was a horrible time and I didnââ¬â¢t know if it would ever end. I couldnââ¬â¢t leave the house, I couldnââ¬â¢t even get out to buy a newspaper. All those things you take for granted like running for a bus were beyond me.ââ¬Â
Some believe that ME is a psychosomatic illness but the MP for Pontefract and Castleford said she was ââ¬Ålucky, because I had a good GP who took the condition seriously and never said it was all in the mind. He said it was triggered by some sort of virus. But it was an awful time.ââ¬Â
The illness affects about 250,000 people in Britain, leaving them severely lacking in energy. Apart from exhaustion, other symptoms can include muscle and joint pain, recurrent sore throats, difficulty concentrating and an inability to sleep well. The cause of the condition remains unclear and evidence on effective treatments had been inconclusive. In most cases, a previously fit and active person will find the illness triggered by an infection. The symptoms last for several months.
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...al-Yvette-Cooper-talks-of-battle-with-ME.html
Do any of you have this illness or know of someone who does? If so, how do you/they deal with this?
The Shadow Home Secretary was struck down with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ââ¬â also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ââ¬â when she was just 24 and working as a researcher for John Smith, the then Labour Party leader.
ââ¬ÅI got flu one January and it basically never went away,ââ¬Â she told the audience on Saturday. ââ¬ÅIt was a horrible time and I didnââ¬â¢t know if it would ever end. I couldnââ¬â¢t leave the house, I couldnââ¬â¢t even get out to buy a newspaper. All those things you take for granted like running for a bus were beyond me.ââ¬Â
Some believe that ME is a psychosomatic illness but the MP for Pontefract and Castleford said she was ââ¬Ålucky, because I had a good GP who took the condition seriously and never said it was all in the mind. He said it was triggered by some sort of virus. But it was an awful time.ââ¬Â
The illness affects about 250,000 people in Britain, leaving them severely lacking in energy. Apart from exhaustion, other symptoms can include muscle and joint pain, recurrent sore throats, difficulty concentrating and an inability to sleep well. The cause of the condition remains unclear and evidence on effective treatments had been inconclusive. In most cases, a previously fit and active person will find the illness triggered by an infection. The symptoms last for several months.
Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...al-Yvette-Cooper-talks-of-battle-with-ME.html
Do any of you have this illness or know of someone who does? If so, how do you/they deal with this?
