Throughout my illness I have shied away from prescription medication for pain and sleep, although I know a lot of sufferers find it helpful. My reasoning for this is that the medication available only deals with the symptoms, not the underlying cause of the illness. I wanted to focus on addressing the cause of the illness so that I could fully recover rather than manage my symptoms. I was also concerned about the side effects of these medications. Also, although I am no stranger to ME pain – particularly in my legs, I think my pain was not as severe as some.
I have used medication where I felt it was appropriate, after discussion with my GP. I advise you to always ask questions and understand the benefits and risks of any medication so you can make an informed decision.