Ongoing Efforts by MEI
MEI understands the everyday struggles people go through that suffer from ME. Our volunteers and many on the board suffer from ME as well. Our goals are not only to be an agent of advocacy for ME but to help individuals as well. This illness has a tendency to create isolation for many and the lack of recognition and programs to assist sufferers only compounds this struggle. For this reason, we institute programs that help individuals develop strategies for more self-reliance when possible and develop relationships with other members to help alleviate their isolation.
In accordance with our goals to reduce loneliness, we established MEI Chat Rooms. This Facebook group is a place for persons with ME or other chronic illnesses can meet with others that share similar tribulations. Isolation and loneliness are a persistent problem for many chronic illnesses but can be a profound problem for many ME patients. It is our hope that this effort will allow our members to nurture friendships with one another. We encourage all members to spend some time in these chat rooms. Sometimes a sympathetic ear can make all the difference in your day. We use Zoom to create video chats for members of this group as well as Facebook functions.
Become a member of the “MEI Chat Room” FB group.
Found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1075615046269396
Once you are a member, just click a link to enter a room. Links will be posted as rooms open.
Please fill out the poll on the MEI Chat Room post to help us know what hours works best for everyone.
Please consider becoming a member of ME International HERE
What our visitors are saying:
Deana Kelley
The MEI chat room was so delightful. Meeting new members and learning so much was an amazing experience. A higher level of coping with this disease is one of the many things I took from the chat room. I definitely feel a lot less lonely after our chats !! The chat room allows me to share with others at home what was talked about therefore feeling like I make a contribution in a social setting.
BRAVO to those who came up with this idea of a MEI Chat Room !!!
Linda Coy
It was lovely to ‘pop in’ last night; I will try to manage the Tuesday afternoon chat as Heather suggested, as the time will work better for me in the UK. Brilliant idea!
Pulse Oximeter Program
In November 2020 it was decided by the ME International Board to ask for donations that would cover the purchase cost and shipment of pulse oximeters to members.
NOTE: If you are a member of ME International and would like a pulse oximeter, please send a request email to Admin@ME-International.org with your name and address.
All of the board members who have myalgic encephalomyelitis have used pulse oximeters and other devices to measure heart rate and recognized the importance of having this vital information.
In preparation for sending out pulse oximeters the volunteers created an explanation sheet about the usefulness of pulse oximeters. Access the sheet HERE:
Be aware that multiple factors can affect the accuracy of a pulse oximeter reading, such as poor circulation, skin pigmentation, skin thickness, skin temperature, current tobacco use, and use of fingernail polish. To get the best reading from a pulse oximeter:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
- When placing the oximeter on your finger, make sure your hand is warm, relaxed, and held below the level of the heart. Remove any fingernail polish on that finger.
- Sit still and do not move the part of your body where the pulse oximeter is located.
- Wait a few seconds until the reading stops changing and displays one steady number.
See the U.S. FDA write-up HERE.
Testimonials
I would just like to say a very big thank you for the Pulse Oximeter that I have received today. It will assist me enormously with observing my heart rate and oxygen levels throughout the day and taking a break when needed. I think this is a great donation for those suffering with ME.
Claire H.
… the pulse oximeter already is helping me, thank you so very much! I am very grateful for this generous gift. It is very important for me to check my blood oxygen level every morning and throughout the day. Thanks to you and ME International, I can do this!
Cheryl
I received a pulse oximeter from you and I’ve been using it every day. It’s been so helpful to understand what’s happening with my body. I’ve been recording the stats to share with my doctor, and I feel so much more confident going in with actual numbers instead of “my heart races when I walk around my house.” Thank you so much for this invaluable resource!
Angela
I write in thanks for the pulse oximeter that you sent. I am very happy to have it and to be able to monitor my SpO2 levels and heart rate. … This is such a great program that you put together. I love that someone had an idea that was launched into a program that could help ME patients.
Maria B.
HRV Program
MEI is excited to announce our new HRV (heart rate variability) monitoring program. In an ongoing effort to provide more support for the ME community, MEI is expanding on our successful Pulse Oximeter Program with an exciting new tool to help manage ME. We will be giving out free Fitbit 3s to qualifying members so they can monitor their heart rate better!
Our 2024 campaign was a huge success and we gave away over 40 Fitbits to members. We expect 2025 to be no different and looking forward to helping more ME sufferers find more tools to manage their illness.
While we understand that there is no one size fits all when it comes to strategies to cope with ME, we do want to be sure our members have as many of the latest tools and strategies when dealing with this disease. PEM is one of the most problematic symptoms when trying to improve quality of life for ME sufferers. It is erratic, unpredictable, and disabling.
Dr. Eleanor Stein helped us develop HRV monitoring to try and minimize the difficulty of PEM and offers a strategy that has been proven useful for many patients. By monitoring you Heart Rate Variability to manage your exertion, it becomes easier to manage your activity and understand when your activities are pushing your individual limits.
To learn more visit our YouTube page and watch this instructional video.
Applications are now open for 2025. If you would like to apply, please fill out this form and we will get back with you as soon as possible.
A Handout sheet concerning HRV.
Resources provided by Dr Stein.
Fundraisers for ME Sufferers
ME International has a program to provide stop-gap assistance to members who find themselves in urgent need and unable to provide for themselves due to their illness. If you require personal assistance, please visit our Assistance page for more information.
We also provide links to member’s fundraising pages who have needs that are unable to be accommodated by our short-term assistance program. ME International cannot verify the validity of every fundraiser posted. Please verify before donating and contact us at Admin@ME-International.org if there is a concern.