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.
16/02/2026
Today we want to congratulate the team involved in the establishment of Dysautonomia New Zealand and their progress in becoming a registered charity.
They hope to fill the gap in response to a clear and ongoing need for greater awareness, support, and understanding of dysautonomia in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not function as it should. The ANS controls automatic body processes like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.
When it malfunctions, everyday activities such as standing up, eating, or even concentrating can become challenging.
Conditions include POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Orthostatic Hypotension, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia and more.
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DISCLAIMER:
We have no formal relationship with the business activities that we showcase. Links to these activities are included for convenience.
ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast is not responsible for the currency or accuracy of content on websites that we showcase and the inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury. Readers are advised to take their own appropriate due diligence steps prior to engaging with the businesses and individuals shared.
26/01/2026
Rose-elle Ross, a Work and Income Advocate with MECFS Canterbury, recently talked about the financial assistance that people with ME/CFS and Long COVID in New Zealand may be eligible for from Work and Income and StudyLink.
Topics covered:
✦ The Advocacy service at MECFS Canterbury
✦ Types of benefits and payments available from Work and Income
✦ How to apply to Work and Income
✦ Tips for making it easier to deal with Work and Income
It can be a stressful time when applying for financial assistance. Reaching out for support can really help.
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 other content, or for any error or omission in connection with any content published on our social media.
MECFS Canterbury is not responsible for the accuracy of content that we link to. The inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury.
Rose-elle Ross, a Work and Income Advocate with MECFS Canterbury, recently talked about the financial assistance that people with ME/CFS and Long COVID in Ne...
23/01/2026
Wear your story, support your community!
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.
The impactful video series by Listening to Families on ME/CFS and Long Covid is now available as a podcast.
The first episode features Emeritus Professor Warren Tate Biomedical Scientist, Amanda Gillespie, Mother of an adolescent son with ME/CFS and a School Counsellor and Tom Harris who lives with ME/CFS and serves on the ME/CFS Canterbury Board.
Together, they respond to families' questions around diagnosis, support and moving forward. The podcast shares personal stories and professional perspectives and may include sensitive topics.
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 other content, or for any error or omission in connection with any content published on our social media.
MECFS Canterbury is not responsible for the accuracy of content that we link to. The inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury.
19/01/2026
ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
A Brief Introduction:
Living with ME/CFS can be described as a profound, life-altering shift in how a person can exist in their own body.
This debilitating impact is due to a broken energy system and dysfunction at a cellular level. Unfortunately, many people with Long COVID have the same experience.
ME/CFS can be triggered in a few different ways; an infection (often viral), injury, surgery or other stressor.
Recently there has been a huge increase in people with ME/CFS due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. Following infection, some people have developed Long COVID and now meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS.
The diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS gives some insight into the lived experience:
✦ Exhaustion: A body that feels “used up” by the smallest effort. It’s exhaustion that rest doesn’t fix.
✦ Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM): This is the crash that comes after physical, mental and other exertion. The crash might arrive hours after (say) a social event, or on the next day or two. Bed rest is likely needed after a PEM crash.
✦ Sleep issues: This can be needing to sleep a lot through to never waking up feeling refreshed.
✦ Cognitive dysfunction: “brain fog” that isn’t just fog. It's being unable to process information or recall things, and more.
✦ Orthostatic Intolerance: It’s feeling worse when moving to an upright position. Standing in a queue, in the shower, or at the kitchen sink, is problematic.
Many other symptoms may be involved, such as pain, gut problems, and sensitivity to light, sound, smells.
ME/CFS patients are categorised into four severities based on functional capacity.
MILD | MODERATE | SEVERE | VERY SEVERE
✦ Mild - At least 50% reduction in pre-illness activity level.
✦ Moderate - Mostly housebound.
✦ Severe - Mostly bedridden.
✦ Very severe - Totally bedbound and in need of care for basic functions.
STOP | REST | PACE
Energy and activity management to balance activity and rest is the most important part of ME/CFS management.
The goal of pacing is to minimise Post-Exertional Malaise, rather than eliminate it.
For more information about ME/CFS and the services available from ME/CFS Canterbury / West Coast please check out our website.
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.
