We provide support, education & advocacy for people living with MECFS in Canterbury & West Coast, NZ Repeat offenders will be blocked from the page.
(1)
PLEASE NOTE that MECFS Canterbury does not recommend any treatments. Any advice, either explicit or implied, is not intended to replace qualified medical advice. We do not accept any responsibility for any treatment undertaken by readers of any articles, or for any error or omission in connection with any article published on our social media. Any Comments on posts that are discriminatory will be removed.
20/12/2025
Our services will pause from, Friday, 19th December 2025 through to Monday, 5th January 2026.
Our first group meeting for 2026 will be on Tuesday, 6th January, 10am In Hokitika.
Feel free to email us while we are offline and we will contact you when we are back on board.
We hope that you are able to relax and experience some lovely moments over this Christmas holiday period.
____________________________
NEEDING SUPPORT?
✦ If you require medical advice or assistance, please contact your GP, or speak to the nurses at Healthline on 0800 611 116, or if you live rurally contact Ka Ora Telecare on 0800 252 672
✦ If you are not already connected to a support group for ME/CFS you may find a group in your area on the ANZMES list: https://anzmes.org.nz/what-is-me/support/
✦ If you live in Canterbury, the West Coast, or elsewhere in the South Island, we invite you to join our MECFS Canterbury online peer support group https://www.facebook.com/groups/mecfssupportgroupcanterbury
____________________________
HELPLINES
If you need someone to talk to over the holiday period, please reach out to those that are available to support you.
There is a full list on https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines
09/12/2025
Looking for a thoughtful gift for someone with ME/CFS or Long Covid?
Here are some ideas that genuinely help:
✦ Energy Saving Devices: Ask if there is something practical that they need (Robot vacuum, shower or kitchen stool, electric toothbrush or can opener.)
✦ Practical Support: Offer something specific: Mowing the lawn, vacuuming, laundry or running errands.
✦ Meal Support: Quick cook frozen meals, soups or grocery delivery that fits their dietary needs.
✦ Gift Vouchers: Check which shops, takeaway spots or streaming services they enjoy.
✦ Rest & Recovery: Comfy Pillows, heated blankets, ear plugs or eye masks.
Avoid:
✦ Strongly scented products
✦ Vouchers for high energy or sensory activities
✦ Foods that they’re intolerant to (many are sensitive to dairy, gluten or FODMAPS)
_______________
Hosting someone with ME/CFS or Long Covid this Christmas?
A few small adjustments could prevent Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) and make the visit possible.
✦ Keep the environment calm: Lower background noise, spread out seating and avoid loud music.
✦ Check timing: People often have one usable time of the day, check-in to see what would work best.
✦ Offer comfortable seating: Many people with ME/CFS and LC cannot stand for long periods of time due to orthostatic intolerance, pain and fatigue.
✦ Ask about dietary needs: Have safe options or allow them to bring their own food.
✦ Provide non-alcoholic drinks: Many react badly to alcohol and sugar.
✦ Create a quiet rest space: Let them lie down if possible, allow for frequent breaks.
And most importantly:
Be kind if they cancel last minute or can only stay briefly. Their energy is unpredictable and pushing too hard could cause crashes lasting days or weeks. They likely rested for days just to attend.
If they can’t attend offering a quick video call or a 1:1 catch-up later can mean the world.
📣Tomorrow is Givealittle day!
Have you nominated your Whānau yet?
This Givealittle day, we’re inviting our extended community to slow down... Radically!
People living with ME/CFS and Long Covid don’t get to choose to rest.
It’s not self care... it’s survival.
For many people with ME/CFS, especially the approximately 25% living with Severe ME/CFS, even seemingly small activities cause debilitating symptoms. With a broken energy system at a cellular level, it is critical to and to stabilise symptoms and avoid reducing functionality further.
So here’s our challenge:
✦ Nominate a friend or two (or yourself)
✦ Radically Rest for 25 minutes – This means no screens, no distractions, just full rest with eyes closed.
✦ Donate $10 to support people in our community living with ME/CFS and Long Covid.
If you try the but can’t make it through the full 25 minutes that’s ok, it’s harder than it sounds!
For every minute you can’t complete, add $1 per minute to your give-a-little donation total.
It’s a lighthearted challenge with a serious message: for people with ME/CFS, rest is not optional... it’s essential!
Let’s show up for those who can’t - by resting with them or donating for them.
Every dollar and every moment of awareness makes a difference.
You can download a poster of our campaign here:https://70cfe659-962f-44af-8213-c6e659d8e068.usrfiles.com/ugd/70cfe6_ddb3bd9216ed4135ac8f36b561541e7c.pdf
27/11/2025
This Givealittle day, we’re inviting our extended community to slow down... Radically!
People living with ME/CFS and Long Covid don’t get to choose to rest.
It’s not self care... it’s survival.
For many people with ME/CFS, especially the approximately 25% living with Severe ME/CFS, even seemingly small activities cause debilitating symptoms. With a broken energy system at a cellular level, it is critical to and to stabilise symptoms and avoid reducing functionality further.
So here’s our challenge:
✦ Nominate a friend or two (or yourself)
✦ Radically Rest for 25 minutes – This means no screens, no distractions, just full rest with eyes closed.
✦ Donate $10 to support people in our community living with ME/CFS and Long Covid.
If you try the but can’t make it through the full 25 minutes that’s ok, it’s harder than it sounds!
For every minute you can’t complete, add $1 per minute to your give-a-little donation total.
It’s a lighthearted challenge with a serious message: for people with ME/CFS, rest is not optional... it’s essential!
Let’s show up for those who can’t - by resting with them or donating for them.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MECFS Canterbury posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Established in 1985, MECFS Canterbury is a registered charity based in Christchurch and servicing the Canterbury and West Coast regions.
Our mission is to support and empower people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and their whānau through inclusion, education, sharing and advocacy.
We aim to use our page to advertise our events and to share information, research, and experiences to raise awareness of this debilitating illness.
If you are a health professional or know someone that has ME/CFS, please follow us to learn more about ME/CFS.
If you are a person with ME/CFS and living in Canterbury, we invite you to join our community and receive our services. Please visit our website to become a member. You may also like to join our private facebook group for online peer support.
Please Note:
MECFS Canterbury does not recommend any treatments. Any advice, either explicit or implied, is not intended to replace qualified medical advice. We do not accept any responsibility for any treatment undertaken by readers of any articles, or for any error or omission in connection with any article published on our social media.
Any Comments made on posts that are discriminatory will be removed. Repeat offenders will be blocked from the page.
What is ME/CFS?
ME/CFS is a serious long-term illness. It affects people of all ages, ethnicities and both male and female. Overseas studies suggest the prevalence of ME/CFS is 4 in 1000 people, implying that there are 20,000 people affected in NZ, and 2,000 people in Canterbury (including 300 young people).
The causes and the specific pathologies of ME/CFS aren’t yet understood. It often starts after an infectious illness such as glandular fever. Researchers are finding issues with energy production, blood circulation and oxygen use.
Core Symptoms
Greatly lowered ability to do activities that were usual before the illness.
This drop in activity level occurs along with fatigue and must last six months or longer (3 months in children).
Worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before the illness.
This is known as Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM). PEM is often delayed, typically happening 12 to 24 hours after exertion. People may be house-bound or even completely bed-bound during PEM.
Sleep problems.
People with ME may not feel better even after a full night’s sleep. At times, people with ME may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, may sleep for over 12 hours a day or may have a delayed sleep onset.
Problems with cognition.
Most people with ME/CFS have trouble thinking quickly and concentrating for periods of time compared to prior to illness onset; there may be trouble finding words or slurring of speech, particularly during PEM.
Worsening of symptoms while standing or sitting upright.
This includes feeling lightheaded, dizzy, weak, or faint while standing or sitting up. They may have vision changes like blurring or seeing spots. This is known as Orthostatic Intolerance.
Refer to our website for more information.
What are the impacts of having ME/CFS?
When someone develops ME/CFS, there is an enormous change in their life and that of their families.
Previously active people may be suddenly unable to work or attend school. Parents with ME/CFS may struggle to care for their children. The lack of energy and the flu-like symptoms means that many people are confined to their homes or even their beds. It is hard for family, friends and employers to understand, and many medical professionals and schools are not sufficiently well-informed to provide good support.
