SwindonM.E.
M.E.Support
SupportGroup
Group- News
- News
Swindon
August 2011
Issue 4
August 2011 Issue 4
What’s in This Issue
Mitochondria, not
Hypochondria
The following article raises some
interesting points about ME/CFS.
Taken from a site who’s
contributors include UK and
foreign ministers, senior civil
servants, experts and academics
who
discuss
the
latest
government
initiatives
and
projects long with case studies
and comments on best practice.
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/article.asp?p
ublication=Central%20Government&id=458
&content_name=Health%20Overview&articl
e=15476
Public Service Review: Central
Government - Issue 21:
Thursday,
January
06,
2011
University of Hull Professor of
Psychology Rhona Johnston
argues against the widespread
belief that ME/chronic fatigue is a
psychological condition…
ME/chronic
fatigue
syndrome
(ME/CFS) is a chronic state of
profound
exhaustion,
often
accompanied
by pain,
sleep
problems and cognitive dysfunction,
and it is made worse by exercise.
In my local health authority area,
individuals with a long-term fatigue
problem used to be sent to the
immunology department at the
regional hospital for diagnosis and
treatment, but now they are referred
to a psychiatrist.
This is a growing trend throughout
the UK. These days, getting a
diagnosis of chronic fatigue is
tantamount to getting a psychiatric
diagnosis. This is good for creating
work for psychiatrists, but is it good
for the individuals concerned? If
their condition is a physical illness,
they will not receive suitable
treatment and so will not make a full
recovery.
The psychiatric view of what they
term 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (the
term 'fatigue' clearly trivialises the
August 2011
Page 1
Mitochondria, not Hypochondria
Next M.E .Support Group Meeting
Optical Illusion
Page 2
ME / CFS - Laundry Tips
Page 3
Warm Water Exercise
Group Information
Contact Us
When one door of happiness
closes, another opens, but often
we look so long at the closed door
that we do not see the one that has
been opened for us.
Helen Keller
severity of this illness) has gained
considerable ground in the UK in
recent years, aided by the
supposed lack of evidence of
physical causes of the condition.
What evidence can psychiatrists
adduce to support their assertion
that
ME/CFS
is
a
purely
psychological illness, that is, a
form of hypochondria?
Psychiatrists argue that individuals
with
medically
unexplained
symptoms have 'functional somatic
syndromes' – that is, although their
symptoms appear to be physical,
they are psychological in origin.
It has been argued, on the basis of
an analysis of the literature, that
having the belief that ME/CFS is a
physical illness leads to a poorer
prognosis, and that these faulty
attributions perpetuate the illness.
Thus the fact that these individuals
believe that they have a physical
illness is seen as a further
manifestation of their psychological
problems. However, if those who
assert that they have a physical
illness do indeed have one, the
prognosis for recovery without
suitable treatment is clearly going
to be poor.
Continued Page 4
Page 4
Mitochondria, not Hypochondria – Cont.
Page 5
Message from the Editor
Mitochondria, not Hypochondria – Cont.
M.E. Emergency Card
The Committee Needs You
Page 6
Poetry Corner
Facts about Caffeine
Ever Wonder
Page 7
Donate for free
Fun Facts about CFS
Members Adverts
Page 8
Many Uses for House hold Items- Sugar
Beauty tips
Page 09
Renewal Form
Page 10
Stress reduction
Venue and map for ME Meetings
M.E Support Group Meeting
Every third Wednesday of
every month. See back page
for Venue and map details
Optical Illusion
Spot the black dots
Page 1
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
ME / CFS - Laundry Tips
As I unload, I'll put things to be
folded in my little baskets and get
the hanging stuff taken care of.
Then, I can take the baskets to the
couch and fold them while I'm
sitting down. I put them directly
back into the baskets, and if I don't
have the energy to take them up
right away, I can put them back on
the dryer or near the stairs to take
up later.
Extracts for this article taken from web site
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscf
s/a/laundrytips.htm 15/06/2011. By Adrienne
Dellwo, About.com Guide Updated February 04,
2010. About.com Health's Disease and Condition
content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Doing "simple" things like laundry
can be a real challenge when you
have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue
syndrome, or other physical
limitations. It typically involves a lot
of standing, hauling, bending,
twisting and reaching -- all of which
can be hard on your body and
quickly drain your energy.
I've come up with a lot of ways to
ease the strain of doing laundry. I
hope some of these ideas help you,
Laundry Tip 1: Ditch the Big
Basket
I found several problems with the
typical laundry basket: It's awkward
to carry, too heavy when filled, hard
to keep things organized and its
always in the way. That's why I no
longer use one.
What used to happen: I'd fill the
basket with everything that needed
to go upstairs, then struggle to haul
it up. Usually by then I didn't have
the energy to sort everything and
put it away in 3 different bedrooms,
so I'd leave it for later and not get to
it for far too long.
Now, I have several small wicker
baskets that are easier to carry,
don't ever get too heavy, and carry
about a drawer's worth of clothing,
i.e. just socks and underwear, or
just my son's pyjamas. That means
I can go to one room and unload
the entire basket quickly and easily.
The baskets also nest inside each
other, so they don't take up nearly
the space of a typical laundry
basket when storing.
Laundry Tip 2: Bending &
Twisting
It's just about impossible to do
laundry without some bending and
August 2011
Issue 4
twisting, but after 30 years of back
problems I've found several ways
to minimize them.
In my laundry room, I have a sorter
with 3 large bags in it. The clothes
on top are easy to get out, and by
the time they're low enough that I
can't reach them easily, the bags
are light enough to pull up to where
I can reach everything without
bending.
I have a waist-height shelf next to
the washer with all the detergent,
stain removers, etc. that I need so I
don't have to reach for them. I don't
buy heavy bottles of things that I'd
have to lift. Instead, for liquids, I
look for the ones that have pushbutton pour spouts so I can fill a
cup instead of picking anything up.
It really hurts my back to pull wet
clothes out of the washer and then
bend and twist to put them into the
dryer. What I do is pull up clothes
with my right hand, take a step
straight back, and drop the clothes
onto the open dryer door.
When it starts getting full, I'll step
to the side and push them straight
in. It's a little slower, but I have a
lot less back pain.
Laundry Tip 3: Standing &
Reaching
Folding and hanging laundry is
physically demanding. What I try to
do is have a mixture of hanging
and folding clothes in each load, so
I'm not repeating the same motions
too many times.
Laundry Tip 4: Getting Caught
Up
Especially during flares, it's easy to
get really behind on laundry. When
it comes time to play catch up my
main tactic is to separate clothing
strategically.
Sometimes I'll sort it by who it
belongs to ensure that person is
set for the next few days or I will do
it by colour. I also try to alternate
between loads of clothes and loads
of sheets and towels that don't need
to be taken care of right away. That
gives me longer to recover in
between bouts of standing.
Laundry Tip 5: Pacing Yourself
As with everything, it's important
that we pace ourselves. Some
pacing is built in because of the
time it takes the machines to do
their jobs.
To make sure I don't over do it on
laundry day, I keep a close eye on
my energy and rarely do more than
3 loads in one day.
I used to try doing as much as
possible, and I'd inevitably end up
with a full washer and dryer and no
energy to deal with them.
I don't start a load unless I'm pretty
certain I can finish it. I refuse to
start a load before bed, because I
never know whether I'll have the
energy to finish it in the morning
(and then there's always the
possibility of brain fog making me
forget it's there.)
Page 2
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Warm Water Exercise
Issue 4
Group Information
Article taken from:
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingf
mscfs/a/warmwaterFMS.htm 03/08/2011
When you start an exercise routine
for fibromyalgia (FMS) Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (ME) / M.E.
The type of exercise you choose
can make a big difference.
Numerous studies over the years
have consistently shown that
warm-water exercise can help
people with FMS:
Improve pain threshold
Reduce tender point count
Reduce pain
Boost cognitive function
Lessen anxiety and depression
Perceive their condition as less
severe.
Studies also show that people with
FMS are able to tolerate warmwater exercise better than some
other forms of exercise.
Benefits of Water Exercise
Water exercise is easier to perform
and more beneficial than the same
exercise on land, plus it's gentler
on your body.
It's non-impact, so it won't jar your
muscles and joints.
The buoyancy decreases effects of
gravity so moving takes less effort.
Water provides resistance, which
helps you build strength and
develop better balance.
Immersion in water helps you relax
and lowers pain perception.
Why Warm Water?
A warm-water pool is good for
therapy because cold water can
make muscles tense up.
It's especially important in FMS/
CFS/ME because many people
with the condition are intolerant of
cold.
A warm-water pool is one that's
kept
around
89.6
degrees
Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), which is
several degrees warmer than most
heated pools.
If you tolerate cold well and don't
feel your muscles tense in a
regular-temperature pool, you can
try exercising there. However,
watch for signs that your body is
reacting poorly to the cold, both
during and after your work out.
As well as key rings and pin
badges, Action for M.E have sent
in some wristbands. These items
are available to buy for £1.50 each.
You can get them at one of our
meetings or you can contact Julie
for details at:
[email protected]
Most
gyms
do
not
have
therapeutically warm pools. Your
doctor or physical therapist may
know of some in your community,
or you can check with local
agencies
and
institutions,
including:
Colleges & universities
YMCA or YWCA
Rehabilitation centre's
The Arthritis Foundation
Easter Seals
The Salvation Army
Support groups for arthritis or FMS
Many of these places have
scheduled classes for people with
FMS or with any condition that
limits mobility, where you can learn
from a qualified instructor.
If 75% of all accidents happen within 5 miles of home, why not move
10 miles away?
August 2011
Action for M.E are collecting
Used Stamps - if you and your
friends and family would like to bring
your stamps into one of our
meetings that would be great.
Whoever coined the phrase "Quiet
as a mouse" has never stepped on
one.
CONTACT US
M.E. Support Group Queries
Julie Cushion
Swindon ME Support Group (Chairperson)
Tel: 01793 344700
Newsletter related items – email:
[email protected]
A conclusion is
simply the place
where you got
tired of thinking.
Page 3
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Mitochondria, not Hypochondria Continued from page 1
One of the main treatments on offer
for the condition is cognitive
behavioural therapy (CBT), which has
been shown to lead to a significant
reduction in fatigue symptoms.
This finding might be taken as
support for the idea that ME/CFS has
a psychological cause. However,
there is a higher incidence of
depression in those with chronic
physical illnesses than in the general
population, although in the case of
ME/CFS this has been found to be no
higher than in, for example,
rheumatoid arthritis.
Thus CBT may, for a subset of
individuals, ameliorate some of the
tiredness
resulting
from
a
concomitant depression, while not
addressing the underlying fatiguing
disorder. It is unclear, however, if this
is indeed the case, as the authors of
these
studies
use
ME/CFS
classification criteria that take fatigue
as the main symptom. The exclusion
of physical symptoms allows the
inclusion of individuals who do
primarily have a psychiatric disorder.
Thus the statistical reduction in
fatigue found with CBT may be
largely due to the fact that individuals
suffering purely from depression are
included in these studies. It should
also be noted that there is a lack of
evidence of long-term benefits of CBT
for individuals with an ME/CFS
diagnosis.
The higher proportion of women
suffering from ME/CFS is also
thought to be evidence that the illness
is psychosomatic. It is unclear why
this should indicate a psychological
illness; after all, women are more
prone to gallstones as well.
It is noteworthy that when a doctor
made a study of viral illnesses in his
patients over a 40 year period, of
those who subsequently experienced
central nervous system pathology,
67.8% were women (of whom a third
also experienced ME/CFS) and
32.2% were men (of whom a third
also had ME/CFS).
August 2011
Thus there was a clear physical basis
for the disproportionate number of
females suffering from ME/CFS in this
study.
It has also been asserted that ME/CFS
is a psychiatric illness because
patients have often experienced abuse
in childhood. However, stressors like
abuse are known to cause physical
ailments.
For example, it has been found that
child abuse is associated with an
increased incidence of ischemic heart
disease. It has also been shown that
individuals having severe chronic
stressors in the 12 months prior to
being deliberately exposed to a virus
were significantly more likely to
become ill than those with acute
stressors or a low number of stressful
life events.
A mitochondrial problem? It is clear
that there is little evidence in favour of
a
psychological
explanation
of
ME/CFS. We therefore need to
consider the biomedical evidence for a
physical disorder, of which there is a
considerable amount.
To aid simplicity, the approach taken
here is to consider the possibility that
individuals with ME/CFS may in the
majority of cases have a similar
physical problem, but that it may have
diverse causes. . A recent study has
found that 70 out of 71 individuals
suffering from chronic fatigue had
abnormally low mitochondrial function.
Mitochondria are organelles within
cells and are the main producers of
cellular energy. Mitochondria have to
have an intact inner membrane to
produce energy via a process called
the electron transport chain.
There is evidence that a wide range of
chemicals
impair
mitochondrial
function,
including
pesticides,
herbicides, PCBs, solvents, toxic
metals (such as dental amalgam),
plastics, and fluoride. Impairments can
also be caused by drugs such as
antibiotics,
non-steroidal
antiinflammatories & anti-parasite drugs.
Issue 4
There are also infections that
cause mitochondrial problems,
such as mycoplasma.
This is a micro-organism that lacks
a cell nucleus and a cell wall; it
damages the inner membrane of
mitochondria,
depleting
the
nutrients in the cells, disrupting the
electron transport chain, and
causing chromosomal aberrations
in the host cell.
Studies by Dr Garth Nicolson have
shown
that
individuals
with
ME/CFS have many bacterial and
viral infections; however, a high
percentage
of
them
have
mycoplasma infections.
Thus, over a number of studies,
Nicolson and his group have found
that between 51% and 68.9% of
individuals with a chronic fatigue
diagnosis have a mycoplasma
infection.
Most of these studies were carried
out in the United States, but the
higher figure comes from a Belgian
study, in which only 5.6% of
controls showed signs of the
infection. Nicolson's group has
also
shown
that
using
a
supplement that restores the
mitochondrial membrane leads to
both a reduction in fatigue and an
increase in mitochondrial function
in individuals with chronic fatigue.
Clearly, the infection scenario is a
complicated one; susceptibility to
mycoplasma and other infections
may arise from having an immune
system weakened by viruses, and
viruses themselves might damage
mitochondria. However, getting rid
of a mycoplasma infection in those
affected will be very beneficial for
energy levels, and so reduce
stress
on
the
body.
Chronic exposure to stress can in
itself damage mitochondria and
also impair the functioning of the
adrenal
glands.
Adrenal
insufficiency could be a primary
cause of ME/CFS in some
individuals, as the symptoms are
Continued page 5
Page 4
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August
2011
Issue
August
June
2011
2011Issue
Issue 4
24
I would like to say hello to all our readers and hope that you are having at
least a few good days. Unfortunately this hasn’t been a good month for me
with many days spent in bed but I have been lucky enough to do some
hydrotherapy in my garden thanks to the cheap price of blow up paddling
pools at B&Q (an 8ft wide 28” deep pool with cover for £27.00 and a pool
heater that cost slightly more from Ebay).
The cover helps keep the pool clean and also seems to draw in the heat
from the sun so I have been able to gently exercise my arms and legs
in a nice warm pool. It is not only relaxing I am also hoping that it
will help strengthen my muscles and help increase my mobility again.
If you have any successful and economic therapies that work for you
please contact us at [email protected] so that we can
Include them in next months newsletter.
Mitochondria, not Hypochondria
similar to
disease.
those
of
Addison's
Less extreme debilitating adrenal
problems also occur.
It has been shown that overworking
the stress system leads to problems
in keeping a balance between the
functioning of the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the
immune system.
If there is an immune challenge, this
produces inflammation, and the
actions of the HPA axis reduce it by
damping down the inflammation.
However, if the body has to do this
often it becomes overstressed and
cannot maintain the balance – this
is likely to happen if the body is
dealing with a long-term infection
like mycoplasma.
Treatment
What can the NHS do to help
individuals with ME/CFS? At the
moment, many individuals are
offered expensive but harmless
CBT. This technique is now widely
used for so many illnesses,
including cancer, that it can even be
purchased online. They are also
offered potentially damaging graded
exercise regimes.
Exercise can be very beneficial, but
not if misinformed practitioners
believe their patients to be
August 2011
Continued from page 4
depressed and persuade them to
exercise beyond their reserves of
cellular energy.
Pacing is excellent and can cost
nothing – here, individuals make
sure that they keep their activity
level within their energy envelope,
and so avoid bouts of disabling
exhaustion.
"Stop acting as if life is a
rehearsal. Live this day as if it
were your last. The past is over
and gone. The future is not
guaranteed." –
Wayne Dyer
M.E. Emergency Card
The ME Association have a useful
card that you can carry around with
you, that sates that you have M.E
and that you have problems with
your concentration and mobility.
There is also an emergency contact
number that you can add to it. If
you are a member of the M.E
Association you can get 2 sent to
you for FREE, just give them a
call.
If you are not a member and
would like one, Contact Julie and
she can place an order for you
for one pound.
In order to help at least some
people recover, it would seem a
good use of resources for the NHS
to screen ME/CFS patients for low
mitochondrial function, adrenal
problems (not just testing cortisol
levels at midday) and mycoplasma
infections.
The latter can be treated by
antibiotics, which if administered
early on could mean that these
individuals would avoid having to
suffer this debilitating disease for
decades, with the consequent
weakening of their adrenal glands.
Removing this infection is unlikely
to lead to an immediate cure for
long-term sufferers because of
collateral damage to other bodily
systems, but there must be a
chance that a proportion of
individuals will regain their health
and lead happier and more
productive lives
The committee meets once a month
to discuss Group business and to
raise ideas etc.
If anyone is interested in becoming a
Committee Member, please contact
Julie Cushion
Knowledge is knowing a
tomato is a fruit; Wisdom
is not putting it in a fruit
salad.
Page 5
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Poetry Corner
Living with CFS
I sit here suffering from CFS full of
pain I must confess, Life just seems
to pass me by and crumble hopes
that once were high
I try to speak of my inner world, of
pain confusion that’s unfurled The
energy that’s never there always
seeking to go elsewhere.
So many items that I lose, their
life’s purpose me to confuse. No
one to talk to or understand not a
soul to lend a hand
Memories that fleet away leaving
me in much dismay People look but
they don’t see the shell of what I
used to be
Quiet Cell
Locked back inside my quiet cell
Alarm ! Awake, my vision blurred
What next? .. the damn door bell
Carer here, undeterred
Sun is shining nice and bright filing
my soul with great delight, I think
I'm ready to fight my fight to make
a change to make it right
Michelle Hewing’s
Why the sun lightens our hair, but
darkens our skin?
Why women can't put on mascara
with their mouth closed?
Why you don't ever see the
headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Strip washed, 'almost fell'
With help, weight transferred
I joke 'Show and tell'
Her reply ..Not a word
Suddenly a sinking spell
Why doctors call what they do
"practice"?
Hair dried ( no pain incurred )
She asks again 'Hair gel?'
(Seriously?) 'Don't be absurd!'
Face on, pleasant smell
Coffee time , much preferred
Why lemon juice is made with
artificial flavour, while dishwashing
liquid is made with real lemons?
Time's run out, a sweet fair well.
Carer gone, feelings interred..
Locked back inside my quiet cell
Why there isn't mouse-flavoured
cat food? who tastes dog food
when it has a "new & improved"
flavour?
http://talk.nhs.uk/blogs/fibromyalgia/archive/
2011/03/19/thought-i-d-share-another-of-mypoems.aspx by fibromum_to_6 on 19 March
2011
Why "abbreviated" is such a long
word?
Why you have to click on "Start" to
stop Windows 98?
Why the man who invests all your
money is called a broker?
Why they sterilize the needle for
lethal injections?
Why they don't make the whole
plane out of the material used for
the indestructible black box ?
Why sheep don't shrink when it
rains?
Facts about Caffeine
I have choices, decisions to make
future achievements are at stake
Take it slowly makes good sense
Move too fast at harsh expense
EVER WONDER...
'Not feeling very well?'
I reply, speech still slurred
'Oh I'm fine', (I feel like hell!)
Pills down, truth unheard
Depression raises ugly head a
warning sign I’ve come to dread
This path is aimless dark and
dangerous not a place I wish to be.
Dry my eyes and forget the past
that’s a life that that was miscast
Worry not what future holds I
cannot see what will unfold
Issue 4
An espresso has less caffeine
than a cup of coffee…..
A cup of drip brewed coffee has
about 115 milligrams of caffeine, an
espresso (and percolated coffee)
about 80mg, while instant coffee
has about 65mg of caffeine.
Decaffeinated coffee is not totally
caffeine free, containing about 3mg
of caffeine. A 8oz can of Coca-Cola
has about 23mg of caffeine, Pepsi
Cola 25mg, Mountain Dew 36mg,
and TAB 31mg. Tea has about
40mg of caffeine, while an ounce of
chocolate contains about 20mg
Why they are called apartments
when they are all stuck together? if
con is the opposite of pro, is
Congress the opposite of progress?
Why they call the airport "the
terminal" if flying is so safe?
Received by Email
A life without purpose is a languid,
drifting thing; Every day we ought to
review our purpose, saying to
ourselves: This day let me make a
sound beginning, for what we have
hitherto done is naught!
Thomas A. Kempis
http://didyouknow.org/coffee/ 6/08/2011
August 2011
Page 6
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Donate for free
Members Adverts
Shop online with big name brands
At:
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/getinvolved/shop-online/shop-onlinewith-big-name-brands/
Each of these companies will give
Action for ME a donation worth
between 2% and 25% of what you
spend with them (depending on the
company) as long as you do that
shopping through the web link above
 The AA
 Amazon
 Apple Store
 Game.co.uk
 Halfords
 Healthy Direct
 HMV
 iTunes
 John Lewis
 Lovefilm
 Ryman
 Tesco
 Wallis
Why not add this page to your
favourites, or bookmark it, so that you
can easily come back to shop here next
time?
FUN FACTS ABOUT CFS
Not many people know much about
CFS, let alone some trivia. here are a
few titbits to brighten your day!
Cher had CFS for a few years. She
was bedridden for months & months
and still can feel the effect if she
works too hard. (bet no one asked her
"well, are you unhappy with your life?
Are you sure you're not just scared
about that big math test?")
We CFS suffers have a day!! MAY
12th is CFS Awareness day! Spread
the word!! May 12th was Florence
Nightingale's Birthday.
August 2011
Issue 4
She suffered from an unknown, but
debilitating illness for many, many
years. It is now thought to b
if e Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Despite her horrible disease, she
managed to start up the Red Cross
We have a ribbon!! A Blue Ribbon
Symbolizes CFS Awareness (like
Red for AIDS and Pink for Breast
Cancer) show your support by
wearing a blue ribbon!
We have an animal!! Well, not
exactly an animal, but the Blue
Butterfly is a symbol of CFS support
Chronic Fatigue and Immune
Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS),
affects an estimated 800,000
American adults and an unknown
number of children and adolescents.
CFS is the leading cause of school
absence in England
Although much objective evidence
of an underlying biological disorder
involving the brain and immune
system has been documented in the
medical literature, there is as yet no
diagnostic test and no cure.
It is common for people in the same
family to have CFS. Even though
doctors say it is not contagious (no
one I know -except my brother-has
it) but there was a test that showed
most school teachers who had CFS
had a student that had CFS
Location:http://amouse16.tripod.com/chroni
c_fatigue_syndrome/id23.html 06/08/2011
Quick message from the Editor
I would like to point out that nobody
in my family has ever suffered from
CFS/ME and my partner who has
lived with me for over three years in
closer proximity than a teacher and
student still has not suffered from
CFS / ME. So you cant always
believe everything that you read on
the internet 
Readers can now post requests for
items that they are looking for and
promote items that are donated for
free. If you would like to respond to
an Advert please email:
[email protected]
or
call 07765 192935. Remember to
quote the WA’d or FA’d title and
number)
Any voluntary donations made for
items found or items free to a
good home go directly to support
the Swindon Me Support Group
Small Vacuum Cleaner
Desperately need a small vacuum
cleaner as mine is no longer
working. Does anyone have one
they no longer need?
(WAd Number 452)
Mans Bike
Does anyone have a mans bike that
they no longer use? Doesn’t matter
about the condition. I can afford a
small amount of money but not
much as I’m on benefits
(WAd Number 453)
Oriental music CD’s
A chance to own and explore the
pleasant sound of assorted oriental
music cd’s.
(FAd Number 751)
The Essential Atkins for Life Kit
The next level – easy tools, tips &
Techniques for weight loss. Includes
recipe cards, menu’s, carb counter
and CD
(FAd Number 752)
Morphy Richards Iron
Fully working steam iron going free
to a good home as received new
one as a gift and no longer need it
(FAd Number 749)
Vodafone Sports Holdall FAd No. 750 has
now been found a good home
I am not a vegetarian because I
love animals. I am a vegetarian
because I hate plants.
Page 7
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Issue 4
Beauty Tips
Wasp Trap
Boil 2 ounces of sugar and a little
water in a pan to make a sticky
liquid. Pour this into empty jars, or a
dish and leave in the open where
wasps
will
be
attracted
to
sweetness. They go into the liquid to
feed and cant get out.
Sugar
Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
Add a tablespoon of sugar to a litre
of water in the flower vase. The
dissolved sugar nourishes the
stems and keeps the flowers fresh
for longer. If you add a tablespoon
of vinegar as well you wont get the
mould and bacterial growth that
causes smelly water
Improve Outdoor Plant Health
If outdoor plants start to look
unhealthy and you notice small
lumps on the roots, your garden
may have a nematode infection.
These are tiny worms that invade
the root especially in tuberous
plants like carrots and potatoes.
Mix handfuls of sugar into the soil
around infected plants. This
increases the numbers of bacteria
that can fight the invasion.
Hand Cleaner
Sugar is an abrasive and if you
have very dirty, greasy, or oily
hands, rubbing them with sugar
with clean them.
Soothe a Burned Tongue
If you have ever burned your tongue
on a hot drink, or hot food you will
know how much it hurts. Sprinkle
sugar on it and the pain will subside.
Kill Cockroaches
Mix equal parts of sugar and baking
powder. Sugar attracts these
horrible creatures and baking
powder kills them.
Fly Catcher
Boil half a litre of water, sugar,
pepper (about a teaspoonful) and
two tablespoons of water together
and place in a bowl. This will attract
flies and they will fall into the liquid.
Start a Fire
If you have trouble getting a coal, or
wood fire to burn throw a handful of
sugar onto it. The sugar will ignite
and help get the fire going.
Keep Biscuits Fresh
Put a few sugar lumps in the bottom
of your biscuit tin. The lumps will
absorb the moisture and keep the
biscuits fresh.
Sourced: 29/07/2011
http://gomestic.com/homemaking/10
-extraordinary-uses-for-sugar/
DISCLAIMER
Please note that none of the hints and tips or any suggested remedy’s or
courses mentioned in this newsletter are tested or promoted by the Editor and
therefore are used or tested at your own risk. The Editor takes no
responsibility for any damages that arise from any direct or indirect result of
reading the contents of this newsletter
August 2011
Lighten
Locks
Instantly
If scalp grease (or too many
products) have left your light hair
looking like dirty dishwater, sprinkle
translucent powder over your roots,
then brush through, says makeup
artist Morgen Schick.
Hydrate Skin in 1/2 the Time
Use conditioner to moisturize your
hair -- and body, says Schick. Just
massage it in neck-to-toe in the
shower, rinse and dry off. The
conditioner will hydrate nearly as
well as body lotion -- without the
time suck of waiting for it to sink in
Use Pink to Fake Perfect Skin
Surprise! Concealer is only half the
battle when it comes to fixing flaws.
To really perfect your complexion
(no matter what your skin tone), try
wearing lipstick in a warm pink. "It
distracts people's eyes from
blemishes
and
other
imperfections," says Schick.
Depuff Your 'Do in a Flash
To flatten frizz, dampen your hands
with water and a drop of hand
lotion, then gently pull your hair
back into a French twist. Wait 10
minutes; take your strands down.
Voilà -- fuzz free!
Score Evening Eyes in One Step
Eyeliner is the fastest way to look
sexy, says Deluxe Beauty creator
Jillian Dempsey. To do: Trace your
top lash lines to just past the outer
corners of your eyes.
Revive Your Face Rapidly
To look alive after a long night, pat
concealer onto the inner corners of
your eyes, under your lower lashes
and next to your nose, says Scrivo.
Finish by swirling bronzer over
your cheeks.
Source: http://www.webmd.com/healthybeauty/guide/10-best-speedy-hair-andmakeup-tricks (29/07/2011)
Page 8
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Issue 4
Please print out the form below, complete and return to Julie Cushion to apply for or renew your membership
Tel: 01793 344700 Mob: 07425 161041
August 2011
Page 9
Swindon M.E. Support Group - News
August 2011
Stress Reduction
Issue 4
Swindon M.E. Support Group Monthly Meetings
.
Venue
Park South Community Centre,
Cranmore Avenue,
Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 2EE
(Please note that Sat Nav’s don’t take you to the exact address)
INSTRUCTIONS
There are several methods that
you can use to help reduce stress.
This is one of five suggested by
Bruce Cambell on the CFIDS and
Fibromyalgia Self-help CFIDS site at
http://www.treatcfsfm.org/contentSuggested-Steps-for-ManagingStress.html0
If you can make it to the Marlborough roundabout on Queens Drive, take the
first exit into Shaftsbury Avenue, take the first left hand turn and carry on to the
T-junction and turn left into Cranmore Avenue. The first turning on the Right
should take you to the building
Focus on Your Breath
If you feel under tension or stress,
your breathing can become shallow
or you may hold your breath. If you
find that happening, breathing in a
deep, relaxed way can reduce your
tension and help you relax. Here's
one way to do that, by focusing on
your breath.
You can use it alone as a stress
reduction
technique
or
in
combination with other practices.
Sit or lie down in a quiet place where
you won't be disturbed for a few
minutes. Focus your attention on
your breathing.
Take in a long, slow breath through
your nose, hold it one or two
seconds, then breathe out through
your mouth.
The idea is to concentrate your
attention on your breathing, keeping
it slow and easy.
If you discover that your mind has
wandered and your are thinking
about something else, just return
your attention to your breath.
As you breathe in a slow and easy
way, you should feel your body relax
and a sense of calmness replace
anxiety. If you feel dizzy, stop the
technique and breathe normally.
August 2011
Page 10