Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne, a fair, slight woman in Sussex, has been struggling with the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) since a bout of flu in her early twenties over 20 years ago. She has never recovered full health. After being ill for some time, her local GP sent her for confirmation of diagnosis to specialists at a London Teaching Hospital where they told her they could not do anything to cure or help her.

Since then in an effort to live a normal life Jo-Anne has sought medical interventions that include a variety of NHS and alternative therapies including homeopathy, thyroid tablets, hyperbaric oxygen and acupuncture.

Even when not in pain, Jo-Anne has always felt she was dragging herself around. Her health went up and down until the early 90s when after her yearly flu vaccination she became bed-ridden for months.

Jo-Anne was a teacher and was newly married. Her husband now supports her and she has been trying to regain her health and to live a normal life.

One day she saw an ad for an introductory talk about the Buteyko method of breathing in Lewes, East Sussex, near to where she lived. After attending the initial session facilitated by Martha Roe, Assistant Buteyko Practitioner and led by Christopher Drake, Senior Practitioner in October 2009, Jo-Anne continued with the intense training regime.

“Straight-away I had more energy and gradually needed less sleep, from over eight hours a night to less than six and a half.” At one time, Jo-Anne was on a programme of steroids to help cope with low blood pressure, and though she no longer took medication when beginning the Buteyko exercises, she felt that hypoadrenalism was an ongoing challenge. “Now, I wake at 5am and start my breathing exercises.” she said with a smile of achievement. She said it takes self-discipline but makes it a focus, so that she can regain her health.

Other benefits she already feels include improved circulation, a greater tolerance of foods and a decreased appetite.

“My head is clearer, and I have been able to do long stints of writing again,” she says. “This a life-style choice. I am aiming to practice my Buteyko breathing exercises to keep me at a healthy maintenance level for the rest of my life.”