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Myth: Gallwch ymarfer eich ffordd i wella o ME

ME: Heriwch y mythau, hyrwyddwch y ffeithiau!

 

Ar Ddydd ME byd 12 Mai 2025, rydym yn eich gwahodd i ymuno â ni i ddadlau 6 o’r chwedlau am ME (ME/CFS).

Myth 3: Gallwch ymarfer eich ffordd i wella o ME

Ffaith: Gall ymarfer corff fod yn beryglus i bobl ag ME. Yn wahanol i gyflyrau cronig eraill lle gall ymarfer corff helpu, mae rhaglenni ymarfer corff strwythuredig yn aml yn gwaethygu symptomau ME wrth i gleifion wthio eu hunain yn rhy bell yn y pen draw.

Yn y gorffennol, argymhellwyd therapi ymarfer corff graddedig (GET), ond ar ôl adolygu’r dystiolaeth, mae sefydliadau iechyd fel NICE yn y DU a’r CDC yn yr Unol Daleithiau wedi rhybuddio yn ei erbyn.

Yn lle hynny, anogir pobl ag ME i reoli eu hegni—cydbwyso gweithgaredd a gorffwys—er mwyn osgoi dirywiad.

Lawrlwythwch y daflen ffeithiau ME

English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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Myth: You can exercise your way to recovery from ME

ME: Challenge the myths, champion the facts!

 

On World ME day 12 May 2025 we invite you to join us in debunking 6 of the myths about Myalgic Encephalopmyelitis (ME/CFS)

Myth 3: You can exercise your way to recovery from ME

Fact: Exercise can be dangerous for people with ME.

Unlike other chronic conditions where exercise can help, structured exercise programs often make ME symptoms worse as patients end up pushing themselves too far.


In the past, graded exercise therapy (GET) was recommended, but after reviewing the evidence, health organisations like NICE in the UK and the CDC in the US have warned against it. Instead, people with ME are encouraged to pace themselves—balancing activity and rest—to avoid deterioration.

Download the ME Factsheet 
English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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Myth: Mae ME yn gyflwr iechyd meddwl

ME: Heriwch y mythau, hyrwyddwch y ffeithiau!

 

Ar Ddydd ME byd 12 Mai 2025, rydym yn eich gwahodd i ymuno â ni i ddadlau 6 o’r chwedlau am ME (ME/CFS).

Myth 2: Mae ME yn gyflwr iechyd meddwl

Ffaith: Mae ME yn salwch biolegol sy’n tarfu ar y metaboledd ac yn effeithio’r ymennydd, y system imiwnedd a’r system nerfol awtonomig.

Mae’n aml yn dechrau ar ôl haint, ffliw cyffredin neu COVID. Mae gan filiynau o bobl ledled y byd ME, gyda thua 75% ohonynt yn fenywod. Mae llawer yn cael trafferth gyda gweithgareddau dyddiol, ni all hyd at 75% weithio na mynychu’r ysgol, ac mae o leiaf 25% o gleifion yn cael eu heffeithio mor ddifrifol fel eu bod yn gaeth i’r tŷ neu’n gaeth i’r gwely.

Download the ME Factsheet 
English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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Myth: ME is a mental health condition

ME: Challenge the myths, champion the facts!

On World ME day 12 May 2025 we invite you to join us in debunking 6 of the myths about Myalgic Encephalopmyelitis (ME/CFS).

Myth 2: ME is a mental health condition


Fact: ME is a biological illness that disrupts the metabolism and impairs the brain, immune system and autonomic nervous system.


It often starts after an infection, common flu or COVID. Millions of people worldwide have ME, with about 75-80% of them being women.

Many struggle with daily activities, up to 75% cannot work or attend school, and at least 25% of patients are so severely affected that they are housebound or bedridden.

Download the ME Factsheet 
English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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Myth: ME is just about feeling tired

ME: Challenge the myths, champion the facts!

 

On World ME day 12 May 2025 we invite you to join us in debunking 6 of the myths about Myalgic Encephalopmyelitis (ME/CFS)

Myth 1: ME is just about feeling tired

Fact: The defining symptom of ME is Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

– an extreme worsening of symptoms after even minor physical or mental exertion. While there is no cure for ME, there are compassionate ways to help patients manage their symptoms, in addition to pacing to prevent PEM.

This can trigger a “crash” lasting for days or longer, making even basic activities difficult or impossible. Attempting to push through can significantly worsen symptoms and may lead to long-term deterioration.

For those with severe ME, even minimal exertion—such as sitting up, light conversation, or sensory stimuli like sound and light—can be intolerable, leaving them extremely disabled and dependent on full-time care.

Download the ME Factsheet 
English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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Myth: Mae ME yn ymwneud â theimlo’n flinedig

ME: Heriwch y mythau, hyrwyddwch y ffeithiau!

 

Ar Ddydd ME byd 12 Mai 2025, rydym yn eich gwahodd i ymuno â ni i ddadlau 6 o’r chwedlau am ME (ME/CFS).

Myth 1: Mae ME yn ymwneud â theimlo’n flinedig

Ffaith: Symptom diffiniol ME yw Anhwylder Ôl-Ymarfer (PEM)— symptomau sy’n gwaethygu’n eithafol ar ôl hyd yn oed fân ymdrech gorfforol neu feddyliol.

Gall hyn achosi dirywiad sy’n parhau am ddyddiau neu yn hirach, gan wneud gweithgareddau sylfaenol hyd yn oed yn anodd neu’n amhosibl. Gall ceisio gwthio drwodd waethygu symptomau yn sylweddol a gall arwain at ddirywiad hirdymor.

I’r rhai ag ME difrifol, gall hyd yn oed ychydig iawn o ymdrech—fel eistedd i fyny, sgwrs ysgafn, neu ysgogiadau synhwyraidd fel sain a golau—fod yn annioddefol, gan eu gadael yn anabl iawn ac yn ddibynnol ar ofal llawn-amser.

Lawrlwythwch y daflen ffeithiau ME

English           Welsh

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#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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ME Voices Wales events – register now!

ME Voices Wales online event registration now live

 

Living with ME affects all areas of our lives and often we don’t feel that people understand, believe us or provide helpful services for us.

The ME Voices Wales project gives us all a chance to listen to each other and work out ways we can best communicate about things that are important to us, and work together for change.

Join either of 2 events to launch the project – more information on the Registration site:

Tuesday 13 May 2025  11-12.30

Friday 16 May 2025 6-7.30

Register free here: ME Voices Wales tickets

 

Come and share your thoughts and experiences. Together we will explore how to make voices of people with ME louder and clearer. Share with others in the same position as you about what matters to you, what services you need most and what changes would make your lives better.

Brought to you by WAMES & FTWW

ME Voices Wales supporter:
Neurodivergence Wales

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sign up to the mailing list to get updates: mevoiceswales@gmail.com

The Coach House, Frongog, Aberystwyth SY23 3HN

WAMES helpline: 029 2051 5061

More info:

ME Voices Wales – have your say!

ME Voices Wales events May 

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Diwrnod ME y Byd 2025: Chwalu 6 myth ME

Chwe myth a ffeithiau y dylai pawb eu gwybod am Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

Mae Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a elwir hefyd yn ME/CFS, yn salwch gwanychol sy’n effeithio ar filiynau o bobl ledled y byd. Fodd bynnag, mae mythau a chamddealltwriaethau parhaus yn rhwystro ei adnabod a’i drin.

Ar gyfer Diwrnod ME y Byd ar 12 Mai 2025 mae WAMES yn ymuno â Chynghrair ME y Byd (WMEA) a gwledydd ledled y byd i chwalu chwech o’r mythau mwyaf cyffredin am ME a rhannu’r ffeithiau meddygol y dylai pawb eu gwybod.

Heriwch y mythau, hyrwyddwch y ffeithiau!

Yn y cyfnod cyn Diwrnod ME y Byd byddwn yn rhyddhau delweddau i’w rhannu.

Myth: Mae ME yn gyflwr iechyd meddwl

Ffaith: Mae ME yn salwch biolegol sy’n tarfu ar y metaboledd ac yn effeithio’r ymennydd, y system imiwnedd a’r system nerfol awtonomig

Myth: Mae ME yn ymwneud â theimlo’n flinedig

Ffaith: Symptom diffiniol ME yw Anhwylder Ôl-Ymarfer (PEM)— symptomau sy’n gwaethygu’n eithafol ar ôl hyd yn oed fân ymdrech gorfforol neu feddyliol

Myth: Gallwch ymarfer corff fel ffordd i wella o ME

Ffaith: Gall ymarfer corff fod yn beryglus i bobl ag ME. Yn wahanol i gyflyrau cronig eraill lle gall ymarfer corff helpu, mae rhaglenni ymarfer corff strwythuredig yn aml yn gwaethygu symptomau ME wrth i gleifion wthio eu hunain yn rhy bell yn y pen draw

Myth: Dim ond rhai grwpiau o bobl all ddatblygu ME

Faith: Mae ME yn effeithio ar bobl o bob hil, rhyw, oedran a chefndir economaidd-gymdeithasol

Myth: Ni all meddygon helpu pobl ag ME

Ffaith: Gall meddygon helpu pobl i reoli symptomau ME Er nad oes iachâd ar gyfer ME, mae yna ffyrdd tosturiol o helpu cleifion i reoli eu symptomau, yn ogystal â rheoli egni i atal PEM

Myth: Mae COVID Hir yn hollol wahanol i ME

Ffaith: Mae gan lawer o gleifion COVID Hir symptomau sy’n cyfateb i ME. Ers y pandemig COVID-19, mae ymchwilwyr wedi canfod bod nifer fawr o bobl â COVID Hir parhaus yn bodloni’r meini prawf diagnostig ar gyfer ME

#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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World ME Day 2025: Dispelling 6 ME myths

Six myths and facts everyone should know about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) 

 

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as ME/CFS, is a debilitating illness that affects millions of people worldwide. However, persistent myths and misunderstandings hinder its recognition and treatment.

Picture of girl ill in bed. Text says Myth vs Fact.

For World ME day on May 12th 2025 WAMES is joining with the World ME Alliance (WMEA) and countries around the world to debunk six of the most common myths about ME and share the medical facts everyone should know.

Challenge the myths, champion the facts!

In the run up to World ME Day we will be releasing images to share

Myth:  ME is a mental health condition

Fact: ME is a biological illness that disrupts the metabolism and impairs the brain, immune system and autonomic nervous system

Myth: ME is just about feeling tired

Fact: The defining symptom of ME is Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

– an extreme worsening of symptoms after even minor physical or mental exertion. While there is no cure for ME, there are compassionate ways to help patients manage their symptoms, in addition to pacing to prevent PEM.

Myth: You can exercise your way to recovery from ME

Fact: Exercise can be dangerous for people with ME

Unlike other chronic conditions where exercise can help, structured exercise programs often make ME symptoms worse as patients end up pushing themselves too far.

Myth: Only certain groups of people can develop ME

Fact: ME affects people of all races, genders, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Myth: Doctors cannot help people with ME

Fact:  Doctors can help people manage ME symptoms

While there is no cure for ME, there are compassionate ways to help patients manage their symptoms, in addition to pacing, to prevent PEM.

 

Myth: Long COVID is entirely different from ME

Fact: Many Long COVID patients have symptoms that match ME

#WorldMEDay      #MyalgicE       #MEAwareness

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ME Voices Wales events May – book the date!

ME Voices Wales – book the date!

 

Join us online!

The first online event to explore ways that people affected by ME in can have a louder voice in Wales is scheduled for Tuesday 13 May at 11 am. If you can’t make that, there will be another chance to join in on Friday 16 May at 6pm.

Details of how to register will be available after the Easter week holiday.

What is an online event?

Sometimes called a virtual event, this is a way you can watch, listen and even take part in a conference or meeting without any tiresome travel, in the comfort of your own home, maybe even from your bed. You will need a digital device (computer, phone or tablet) and stable broadband connection or good mobile signal with plenty of data.

Many of us have been meeting online regularly with friends and family since the pandemic but if you are unsure how to get involved, let us know and we will try to help.

‘I can’t get online’

We understand that not everybody can access the internet, has a good mobile signal or ‘attend’ any kind of get together.

Please keep in touch and let us know about your situation, so we can look for ways that everybody can contribute.

Everybody who wants to should be able to hear about things that affect them and make their voice heard!

Find out more

ME Voices Wales – have your say! 

Sign up to be added to the e-news mailing list: mevoiceswales@gmail.com

Spread the word! #MEVoicesWales

 

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