If you're ill it's natural to want to know when you'll get better.
The good news is that the outlook for young people with M.E. is very good and most will recover.
Unfortunately it's difficult to say for certain how M.E. will affect someone or predict how long it may take to get better. Some illnesses always behave in the same way. For example, if you catch Chicken Pox your doctor can say with some certainty that you'll be feeling better in 10 to 14 days. This is because the Chicken Pox virus behaves in a predictable way. M.E. is not so simple.
Some people start to feel better in a matter of weeks and months, for others it can take a lot longer. Everyone is unique. Even though no one can predict how long the illness will last, all the research so far shows that children and young people tend to make a better recovery than adults.
It's really important that you learn to accept your illness and current situation. Many people with M.E. say they started to feel better once they stopped 'fighting' the illness and came to terms with their situation. This means listening to your body and resisting the urge to push it too much too soon, which might risk a relapse. Once you know your limits make the most of what you can do! Coming to terms with your illness can be a huge challenge and it's normal to need lots of help and support to do this.
There are some practical suggestions under the Treatments section on how to pace yourself.
You can also read how others describe their experiences of living with M.E. and getting better in Reality Bytes.
Remember that what you are going through is the same as many other young people with M.E!
Information produced July 2003
Updated June 2004
