Tag Archives: living with

The Wall of Nope

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

I have reached a new low in life with ME. I call it: The Wall of Nope. The Wall of Nope is not a physical crash. It’s an inability to deal with obligations and necessary things. Here’s an example: I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Still #MillionsMissing

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

Today is another, larger #MillionsMissing protest, and I am missing it. I miss a lot of things. One of the best things I ever did in my life was to drive cross country, camping in national parks. It changed my … Continue reading →

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PACE: Grossly Exaggerated

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

On September 9, 2016, Queen Mary University of London released data from the PACE trial in compliance with a First Tier Tribunal decision on a Freedom of Information Request by ME patient Alem Matthees. The day before, the PACE authors … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Pretty Much the Worst

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

One of the worst things someone said to me recently about my disability was: With all the stuff you’re doing, you work just as hard as someone working full time. The charitable and loving way to interpret this statement is: … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

AHRQ Evidence Review Changes Its Conclusions

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

Mary Dimmock has led the way on this issue, and is co-author of this post. In response to requests by U.S. patient organizations and advocates, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued an Addendum to its … Continue reading →

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Meeting with the Assistant Secretary

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

As I mentioned in this week’s RFA Ticker, I participated in a meeting with the Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Karen DeSalvo. You can read the meeting summary on MEAction, and I’ve reprinted the full text below. From a personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

DIY Brain Rehab

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

Cognitive difficulties are part and parcel of ME/CFS. Brain fog, memory problems, difficulty with focus and attention, and reduced processing speed are just a few of the deficits we deal with every day. And cognitive effort can cause post-exertional malaise … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Naming

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

Do you notice anything different at the top of the page? Occupy CFS is now Occupy M.E. I thought long and hard about the change, and would like to share my reasoning. First of all, CFS is a crappy name. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Caffeine Disaster

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

I have a deep emotional bond with coffee. After I regained the ability to drink it without it tearing up my gut, coffee and I took our relationship to a new level. I switched to a Chemex, and found locally … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Brilliant Scientist Among the #MillionsMissing

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Jennie Spotila

My friend Barb opened a window into the extraordinary loss she has endured because of ME/CFS. Please read her powerful statement, and count her among the #MillionsMissing. If you want a tiny peek into what I live with every day, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments