76155-59CAROL Luxton can never have enough sleep. The mother-of-two suffers from the chronic fatigue condition, myalgic encephalomyelitis, which leaves her feeling completely drained of energy.

The 43-year-old from Grange Park, chairs a support group that meets each month at Broad Green Community Centre.

And she says it's more common than people think.

The Government has pledged £8.5 million at national level into ME projects.

Some say this is a clear sign that the condition formerly referred to as Yuppie Flu is at last being taken seriously.

But critics say it's not enough to cope with soaring demand.

Six years ago, Carol, a former nurse, was forced to quit the job she loved because of the condition.

"I worked with people with learning difficulties at Oak House, in Wroughton, but I became too tired," she said.

"ME is not like a normal tiredness that you feel when you get home from work in the evening.

"It's crippling. It can come out of the blue at any time and you have to lie down."

The support group currently has about 25 sufferers on its books.

And, according to Carol many of their stories have similarities.

"ME is being taken more seriously these days now GPs have been told to recognise the condition," she said.

"But it hasn't always been like that.

"ME tends to follow an illness. In my case it started with a throat infection that wouldn't go away.

"I then had excruciating pain in my legs. I was admitted to hospital and kept there for 10 days but the doctors couldn't find anything wrong.

"Finally, I was diagnosed with ME."

Even with the diagnosis it took a while for things to improve, said Carol.

"I was also suffering from depression through frustration at not knowing why I was ill," she said

"My neurologist advised me to take up squash or badminton.

"He didn't understand how I felt and how tired ME makes sufferers."

With Swindon in the grip of winter, few of us would say we relish getting out of bed in the morning.

But Carol says even on sunny days it can be a struggle.

"It takes me about an hour and a half to get up, washed and dressed it can be very difficult," she said.

Her partner, Paul Archer, 35, and daughter, Stacey, 18, do most of the house chores.

"They are really supportive but it puts a strain on them," she said.

"They sometimes forget that I'm ill.

"Outwardly I look fine that's the problem."

Medical notes

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, has only been recognised by doctors in recent years

Some 75 per cent of cases appear in women

Symptoms are similar to flu, but they never go away, making sufferers feel permanently exhausted

Other symptoms include muscle pain, concentration and memory problems, headaches, insomnia, and sore throats

Currently, there is no known cure and emphasis is on "pacing" where sufferers plan their day according to how much energy they have

Anyone wanting further information about ME can call Carol Luxton on 07780 945607.