It is a good idea to try and relax before going to bed, make sure that you are not too cold, don't let your room get too stuffy, and don't go to bed hungry!  If you have a lot of muscle/joint pain, a warm bath is often helpful, as well as an electric blanket!

2) Diet - many people with M.E. have found that a change in their diet is helpful.  Some "treatments" for M.E. can be very expensive, but modifying the diet isn't so bad!  Unfortunately, if you read through all the literature on M.E. you will soon realize that the advice on what to eat (or not) is wide and varied - with some diets being so restrictive that it becomes virtually impossible to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.  If you find something that works then stick to it, but be careful - and, if necessary, take advice on the subject.  So whilst there are no hard and fast rules as no two people with M.E. have exactly the same problems, here are a few general  suggestions:

Foods To Avoid:

Sugar And Other Refined Carbohydrates - all types of sugar; white flour, rice and pasta; and foods containing these things - white bread, cakes, biscuits, etc.

Processed Foods - packaged foods; those containing additives, "E" numbers, sugar, salt.  In particular, try to avoid anything that contains the artificial sweetener Aspartame and / or the flavour enhancer  mono-sodium glutamate or any form of processed free glutamic acid (for further details click here).

Coffee, Tea, Soft-Drinks, Chocolate - herbal teas and decaffeinated drinks are OK, otherwise limit the amount of caffeine-containing drinks to 2 or 3 a day.

Alcohol - suicidal for anyone with M.E.!

Wheat/Gluten And Dairy Products - this does not apply to everyone, but some M.E. sufferers find that they cannot tolerate either one or both of these products.

Foods To Eat: Despite the list of foods to avoid, it is still possible to maintain a balanced diet - which is probably more healthy than what you used to eat.  Try to eat organic food as much as is possible in order to avoid the pesticides and other chemicals commonly found on and in many non-organic foods.

Fruit And Vegetables - try to eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, in order to maintain a good intake of vitamins and minerals.  It is best to eat them raw, but if you do cook them steaming is better than boiling.  Fruit and vegetables also help ensure a good intake of fibre - which is necessary to help digestion, and is also found in potatoes, unrefined flour, brown rice and pasta, and in oats.

Protein - an adequate protein intake is also needed.  However many people with M.E. cannot tolerate red meat or dairy products (although lamb can often be tolerated by those who cannot eat other red meats), but by eating poultry, fish and eggs, a good supply of protein is maintained.  Eggs also contain B vitamins, vitamins A and E, as well as zinc.  Live yoghurt is also a source of protein, and contains "good" bacteria which can help to lessen any bowel problems.

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