'Manchester Marathon will be victory lap after ME diagnosis'
"When I was undiagnosed there was no blood test that said anything was wrong with me," she said."A lot of people said, 'she's just lazy or skiving or not trying hard enough' or 'it's just pain, push through it' and I couldn't."No-one with chronic fatigue can. It doesn't work like that."
According to the NHS, myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body with the most common symptom known to be extreme tiredness.Ms Sheridan struggled with exhaustion and her symptoms continued to worsen until she eventually required a wheelchair.She said there was not a simple explanation for her recovery, but she had been helped by her assistance dog Hamble, who was provided by Canine Partners in 2019."I was constantly in survival-mode and felt like I'd never be able to recover," she said."With Hamble's help, I was able to slowly rebuild my strength and mobility."
'Significant milestone'
In early 2024, the 28-year-old went for her first run and she has not looked back."I've gotten better somehow. I have friends, a huge support group of fellow sufferers and they all want to know what I did," she said."All I can say is that I did what I could. I have B12 jabs and that kind of helped."There's no 'I tried this medication and it worked'. There's no answers and it's tough knowing there's still no answers out there for them."She added that the Manchester Marathon marked "a significant milestone" in her journey."Having full mobility is something I really took for granted before I lost my ability to walk, and it's something that I make a conscious effort to celebrate even on the bad days."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
24 minutes ago
- ITV News
Government turns to TikTok to highlight risks of cosmetic surgery abroad
The Government will use social media influencers to highlight the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures such as hair transplants and dental work under new plans. Ministers hope the new campaign with TikTok will help people make 'more informed choices before they go under the knife'. As part of the initiative, the Government will work with medical influencers, such as Midwife Marley and Doc Tally, to create videos showing the risks of cosmetic surgery abroad. The content will urge patients to speak to a UK doctor first and avoid package holidays that include procedures. It will also include a checklist for patients to consider before they book a procedure, which includes checking the credentials of surgeons, the clinic's regulations, and understanding the aftercare. The initiative is part of a wider Government drive to tackle so-called medical tourism and ensure the NHS is not left to foot the bill when complications arise. Health minister Karin Smyth said: 'Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards. 'Often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers – some of whom have never been to the practice in question. 'By partnering with TikTok, we're helping people make safer, more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be.' Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: 'Our aim is to explain the risks and help British people understand the actions they can take to keep themselves safe when abroad. 'If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved. 'We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care. 'Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow.' The initiative comes after ministers outlined plans to cut down on 'cowboy' cosmetic procedures by introducing new restrictions. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Social Care unveiled proposals which include only allowing 'suitably qualified' and Care Quality Commission-regulated health workers to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts. Elsewhere, clinics offering Botox and fillers will need licences, and age restrictions will be introduced to prevent children from trying to follow 'dangerous beauty trends on social media'. Those who break the rules will face sanctions, including financial penalties, officials said.
Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Telegraph
TikTok influencers to warn against Brazilian butt lift dangers
TikTok influencers will warn about the dangers of getting Brazilian butt lifts and other cosmetic procedures abroad in a new government campaign. Ministers said it would help the public make 'more informed choices before they go under the knife' in a foreign country. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of British people travelling to countries such as Turkey for hair transplants, dental work and other operations. But the NHS has warned that it has been left to 'pick up the pieces' of botched butt lifts and other mishaps when people return to the UK. Foreign Office data show that 28 British people have died in Turkey after travelling abroad for medical procedures since 2019. The cost to NHS hospitals dealing with complications caused by foreign cosmetic procedures is estimated to be more than £1m annually. The procedure known as a BBL is the fastest-growing cosmetic surgery operation, but also one of the most dangerous. Prof Sir Stephen Powis, the former NHS national medical director, has previously said: 'The NHS will always be there for those who need it, but should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched BBLs.' The Government will use social media influencers to highlight the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures. It is working with medical influencers such as Midwife Marley and Doc Tally to create videos showing the risks of cosmetic surgery abroad. The content will urge patients to speak to a UK doctor first and avoid package holidays that include procedures. It will also include a checklist for patients to consider before they book a procedure, which includes checking the credentials of surgeons, the clinic's regulations, and understanding the aftercare. The initiative is part of a wider government drive to tackle medical tourism and ensure the NHS is not left to foot the bill when complications arise. Karin Smyth, a health minister, said: 'Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards, often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers – some of whom have never been to the practice in question. 'By partnering with TikTok, we're helping people make safer, more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be.' Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said the campaign would 'explain the risks and help British people understand the actions they can take to keep themselves safe when abroad'. 'We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care,' he added. The initiative comes after ministers outlined plans to cut down on 'cowboy' cosmetic procedures in the UK by introducing new restrictions. In 2024, Demi Agoglia, a 26-year-old mother of three from Salford, Greater Manchester, died from a microscopic fat embolism after a BBL in Istanbul. An inquest heard she was said to be 'conscious about the way she looked' and insisted on undergoing the BBL procedure. In 2023, Hayley Dowell, 38, died in Turkey after a surgeon left halfway through an operation. She suffered medical complications at a private clinic after she had the procedure along with a tummy tuck and liposuction as part of a package that cost more than £7,000. In 2022, Melissa Kerr, 31, from Denton, Norfolk, died following a BBL in private hospital in Istanbul. An inquest heard she was only given 'limited information regarding the risks and mortality rate' associated with the procedure. The Department of Health unveiled proposals which include only allowing 'suitably qualified' and Care Quality Commission-regulated health workers to deliver high-risk procedures such as BBLs. Clinics offering Botox and fillers will need licences, and age restrictions will be introduced to prevent children from trying to follow 'dangerous beauty trends on social media'. Those who break the rules will face sanctions, including financial penalties, officials said. In July, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned that fat injections, BBLs, Botox and fillers were being offered by untrained people in places such as public toilets. There have also been concerns about rising numbers of people poisoned by fake Botox, leaving consumers struggling with breathing and swallowing problems, and slurred speech, after suffering from botulism.
Western Telegraph
36 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Government turns to TikTok to highlight risks of cosmetic surgery abroad
Ministers hope the new campaign with TikTok will help people make 'more informed choices before they go under the knife'. As part of the initiative, the Government will work with medical influencers, such as Midwife Marley and Doc Tally, to create videos showing the risks of cosmetic surgery abroad. The content will urge patients to speak to a UK doctor first and avoid package holidays that include procedures. It will also include a checklist for patients to consider before they book a procedure, which includes checking the credentials of surgeons, the clinic's regulations, and understanding the aftercare. The initiative is part of a wider Government drive to tackle so-called medical tourism and ensure the NHS is not left to foot the bill when complications arise. Health minister Karin Smyth said: 'Too many people are being left with life-altering injuries after going abroad for medical procedures, without access to proper advice or safeguards. 'Often drawn in by deals too good to be true and promoted by influencers – some of whom have never been to the practice in question. 'By partnering with TikTok, we're helping people make safer, more informed choices before they go under the knife – wherever that may be.' Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: 'Our aim is to explain the risks and help British people understand the actions they can take to keep themselves safe when abroad. 'If you choose to travel abroad for medical treatment, it is vital you do your research and are fully aware of the risks involved. 'We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to review our travel advice, relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies, and research foreign providers thoroughly to ensure they meet the highest standard of care. 'Informed choices today can help avoid serious complications tomorrow.' The initiative comes after ministers outlined plans to cut down on 'cowboy' cosmetic procedures by introducing new restrictions. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Social Care unveiled proposals which include only allowing 'suitably qualified' and Care Quality Commission-regulated health workers to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts. Elsewhere, clinics offering Botox and fillers will need licences, and age restrictions will be introduced to prevent children from trying to follow 'dangerous beauty trends on social media'. Those who break the rules will face sanctions, including financial penalties, officials said.
