Anna’s ME/CFS Journey

Written three weeks after the Energy Excellence Course.

I had always been bubbly, energetic and full of life, my flat mates used to constantly ask me where I got all my energy from. Then suddenly, out of the blue, I was hit by an indescribable tiredness. I felt I had completely lost all my strength and had no stamina.

I kept trying to get ‘back to normal’, tried to go back to my teaching job, exercise, do the housework etc, and although on some days I was more able than others, I always seemed to flop at the end of it and then had to spend the next few days getting over one busy day. It was completely life changing and so different from the busy life I was used to.

The next few months felt hopeless: going from GP to Occupational Health, Physio, having CBT, all of whom basically said take it easy and pace yourself. UGHHHHHH!

On a particularly bad day I had a miracle phone call from a ‘friend of a friend’ who had done the Energy Excellence Course. She was so enthusiastic and said things to me like “if you do it and follow the training you’ll be back to teaching in no time…” I remember putting the phone down and sobbing, I was so desperate for hope. I couldn’t believe it could be true but nonetheless booked onto the course.

During the run up to the course I built Amir’s pre-course suggestions into my daily life, this alone seemed to make a difference. I was incredibly nervous about the course, I was afraid to dream of progress as I felt I couldn’t possibly bear the disappointment if it didn’t help. But I kept an open mind and was feeling hopeful. It was the best decision I’ve ever made!

“I began to see a pattern in my illness. During the course I learnt the skills I needed, even at this point I was still so nervous. What if it still didn’t work? What if I was too tired to do the work? Nonetheless I followed everything he told me to do.”

I listened to Amir and began to see a pattern in my illness. During the course I learnt the skills I needed to move forward. Even at this point I was still so nervous. What if it still didn’t work? What if I was too tired to do the work? Nonetheless I followed everything he told me to do.

After three days I felt like a different person. It is so difficult to explain, but it was like M.E. was something in the past, I still had symptoms etc but it was like a complete mental overhaul. I began to realise that I was doing so much more than I had been able to a week ago: cooking dinner, chatting, giggling, hoovering, all of these things had been far too scarce.

Then the next week more changes: long walks, seeing friends daily and even riding a bike!!! Now, three weeks after the course I feel like a new person. I could scream with joy, I learned things that have made such a difference and I suddenly remember who I am. I still have groggy mornings and evenings but I just do the process and feel good again. In fact, yesterday I went to the dentist and for the first time in my life I actually felt relaxed, thanks to the energy excellence process.

My friends and family keep saying to me they can’t believe the difference in me. I’m back to being bubbly and silly and I’m so happy about that. If people talk to me like I’m still ill it’s really weird as it already feels like such a long time ago.

Doing the course with Amir has taught me to feel relaxed even at the dentist, of all places. How can you ever thank someone enough for that? If you’re reading this and wondering whether it’s worth trying, please, please, please, do the course. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Anna

Update: Four Months Later

Written four months after the Energy Excellence Course.

Hi Amir, I haven’t written to you in a while… I am still well!!

When I was considering my experience I realised that sometimes the path forward is far from simple but still very much possible. I try to encourage people with chronic fatigue to do your course and am surprised when they say certain circumstances have prevented them!

“I looked back over my ‘20 things I’d love to do’ list and cried as I realised I had done them all (except get married!!!). It was a very special moment as it made me realise how far I’ve come.”

I now ride my bike, go out dancing, woohoo, can even drink wine and have just come back from a holiday in France. I looked back over my ‘20 things I’d love to do’ list and cried as I realised I had done them all (except get married!!!). It was a very special moment as it made me realise how far I’ve come.

Sometimes I smell a familiar smell or hear a song that reminds me of that difficult time and I’m so eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to move forward. People keep telling me that I’m the girl they remember from before it all went wrong!

I still have days where I feel a bit odd but I think the difference is I feel I can get through them and I feel secure knowing I have a way forward.

There is probably no way to thank you enough. I will keep updating you with my positive news. Thank you a million times. I will never forget what you have done for me x x