We provide support, education & advocacy for people living with MECFS in Canterbury & West Coast, NZ Repeat offenders will be blocked from the page.
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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.
22/09/2025
Health NZ has acknowledged that ME/CFS is a debilitating, long-term illness in the new Health Conditions section on their website.
The Health Conditions pages are intended for the public to provide introductory information about health conditions and their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Health NZ highlights the key symptoms, the diagnostic criteria in use in New Zealand, the need to pace your activity to avoid triggering Post Exertional Malaise, and more.
While this information is not as extensive as was available on the previous South Island Health Info website that we had input into, it does cover the basics. We appreciated being asked by Health NZ to provide review comments on this new content as well, within the editorial parameters for the Health Conditions section.
It’s worth mentioning that GPs have access to more extensive clinical guidance for ME/CFS on Health NZ’s Health Pathways website for doctors. The Health Pathways for ME/CFS was updated and extended in February 2025, so do ask your GP if they have read the guidance for ME/CFS on Health Pathways recently.
07/09/2025
Crash Wear is a collection designed with the ME/CFS community at heart - whether you live with it, care for someone who does, or advocate for awareness.
From soft, sensory-friendly loungewear to bold minimalist accessories, every piece makes a quiet but powerful statement.
Whether you're pacing in a hoodie, resting with a cup of tea, or advocating from bed with a statement pillowcase, each item helps support our local work for people with ME/CFS and Long Covid right here in Canterbury and West Coast.
We receive a small amount from every sale, and 100% of that goes directly to our advocacy, support, and awareness efforts. So, when you buy something, you're helping to make a real difference.
Crash Wear - made to be lived in, rested in, and seen in.
*Please note actual styles may vary slightly. Please consult the sizing guide*
05/09/2025
We invite you to watch Nurse Wendy Dragt’s talk about (OI) and its Management – now available on our youtube channel https://youtu.be/HSj8zcK7XK0
OI is a common symptom in , Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There are various types including (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), (Neurally Mediated Hypotension) and low Orthostatic Intolerance.
This presentation covers:
✦ Definition and background
✦ Patho physiology – what’s going on?
✦ Diagnosis
✦ Management
✦ Resources
This recording provides useful information for people with ME/CFS, POTS, or NMH, their health team, and whānau. At 62 minutes long, you may need to take some breaks and watch it over a couple of sessions. Expand the description for the video on YouTube to access the pdf of the slide deck and a timestamped list of the slides, plus more.
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DISCLAIMER:
Please note that ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast does not recommend any treatments for any individual. 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 other content, or for any error or omission in connection with any content published on our social media.
ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast is not responsible for the accuracy of content that we link to. The inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast.
25/08/2025
Have your say, our member survey closes this Sunday!
If you haven’t already and have some time and wellness over the next few days, we would appreciate you completing our 2025 Annual Survey.
There are six questions and they are all optional.
We estimate that it will take between three to ten minutes to complete the survey - depending on how much you have to say.
What has been your experience of our organisation this year?
Do you have any ideas for improvements to our services and advocacy efforts?
What you tell us will influence our planning and will give us information to share with our funders and supporters. Both positive stories and critique are useful and welcome.
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.
