SOME readers may need to know that this is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Week and that Wednesday is International ME/CFS Awareness Day.

There is a support group for East Lancashire for both sufferers and carers. The local contacts are Mrs Audrey Atwood (Tel. 01254-248390) and Mrs Rosemary Eveleigh (Tel. 01254-26070).

And there are two national groups, the ME Association at 4 Corringham Road, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex SS17 0AH. Tel. 01375-642466 and Action for ME, Tel. 01749-670799.

The main point about ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as it is now called, is that it is difficult to diagnose, so sufferers in the early stages, unless severely affected, may not get the right treatment, which basically is rest, rest and more rest.

This advice, of course, flies in the face of the usual "Keep going," "Do as much as you can" and "Fight it - don't give in" and much harm could be done.

Indeed, recovery is much more likely the younger a person is and the earlier a diagnosis is made, provided the correct treatment is taken.

SHEILA FISH (Publicity Officer, East Lancashire ME/CFS Support Group), Hodder Court, Stonyhurst, Clitheroe.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.