Foggys invisible illness support group in Swindon hosts event for international awareness day in May

12th May is International Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalopathy Day.

Foggys Support, a Swindon group focusing on 'invisible' illness, is “celebrating” International Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalopathy Day with a meal at the Crown Inn, Stratton, Swindon. For every adult main meal ordered, they will receive £5 from the Crown Inn as a donation.

These are much needed funds as Foggys pay for 20 of their members and a friend/loved one/carer to attend Hydrotherapy every week. Foggys are also hoping to arrange a day out to the Seaside at a cost of £10 per person for their sixth birthday in June. Wheelchairs, mobility scooters can be brought along. Friends/loved ones/carer are also welcome at the same price. You don’t have to be a member to come to a meeting.

Foggys appreciate how hard it is to deal with the anxiety of attending a support group, and hope that they make you feel welcome and relaxed when you come along to their meetings. Being shy (anxious) is allowed, but suffering alone is not.

Foggys was founded June 2010, and in that time have seen or heard from over 200 sufferers in Swindon, Wiltshire and surrounding areas. 50 people attended the first meeting.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalopathy symptoms can vary and can include all, or several of the following:

• ?  chronic, severe and debilitating fatigue, mental and physical

• ?  widespread painful muscles and joints

• ?  disordered sleep

• ?  gastric, digestive disturbances

• ?  cognitive difficulties, poor memory and concentration

• ?  post-exertional malaise

• ?  unrefreshing sleep

• ?  sore throat

• ?  flu-like symptoms

• ?  headaches of a type not previously experienced

• ?  increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells

• ?  depression

  Fibromyalgia symptoms can be similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalopathy but relates more to pain and the following:

• ?  Widespread Pain

• ?  Stiffness

• ?  Fatigue

• ?  Poor quality of sleep

• ?  Cognitive problems ('Fibro-fog'):

• ?  Headaches

• ?  Myofascial Pain

• ?  not being able to regulate your body temperature (feeling too hot or too cold)

• ?  restless legs syndrome (unpleasant sensations in your legs and feeling like you need to move your

  legs to get some relief)

• ?  tingling, numbness, prickling, or burning sensations in your hands and feet (paresthesia)

• ?  tinnitus (the perception of a noise in one or both ears that comes from inside your body)

? unusually painful periods £ anxiety
£ depression

For more information, visit the Foggys website www.foggys.net or contact them on 0844 887 2377 (between 12 and 3pm). Email [email protected].