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You'd also be in trouble without it, and have to leave a lot of people with no diagnosis at all. There are some really common conditions that are practically impossible to measure accurately, and often rely on response to treatment as part of the diagnostic process—which, on a rigid...

I wonder if the DwME position just comes from experience of treating other illnesses which have no objective biomarker, but which doctors consider amenable to positive diagnosis based on core signs and symptoms? The process will involve an exclusion exercise, but that applies to practically...

If she might be able to tolerate gabapentin, it can work like a dream for these issues. I had awful trouble, constantly needing the loo because of pressure on my bladder and always in pain from muscles that wouldn't relax. It really helped; like everything it has some unwanted effects, but at...

For those who're already using a wheelchair or scooter, I can't recommend these under-trousers highly enough at nippy times of year! They're comfy, flexible, easy to get on and off, and you can wear them under some loose trousers and look reasonably like a normal human being. When I first...

Moderate fluctuations like 8 to 10 kilos shouldn't be a problem unless you're using an ultra-lightweight chair with very low power, which is unlikely to be a suitable type for you anyway. Your height and body proportions are more important—things like the length of your thighs, which you need to...

It can almost be as cognitively challenging as driving a car if there are people, dogs, and children moving around unpredictably as well as the various fixed obstacles around you. I'm used to it because I've been doing it for 20 years, but the demands on someone who's severely affected shouldn't...

Yes, at least if it's a powerchair. They're called attendant controls, and can often be retrofitted to chairs that are currently set up to be controlled by the occupier. I've never seen it on a scooter, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible. It might simply be that scooters are...

I've honestly never found steep hills a problem, but I'm of average body weight and I don't use lightweight wheelchairs. Unless you need a bariatric chair—in which case, take advice from the supplier—anything that does 6mph should get you up a hill as long as your battery isn't just about to...

It's brilliant news that you found one you like, @Shadrach Loom—it really is life changing when you can suddenly get out and do things again. Excited for you! I haven't, but my experience is from a few years ago and things might have improved. I tried private hire three times, and the drivers...

I've never taken anything with the intention of supporting mitochondria, but I do know from running out of money that whether I take nicotinamide, BCAAs or total B3 or not, my sleep is roughly the same. Noise and other external factors aside, it's only really influenced by being in PEM/not...

It also drains a lead acid battery that on a mild day would keep your wheelie going for six hours, in less than two! None of the options are all that keen on the cold. I've found, though, that lithium batteries standing idle in my van will only lose about 2 – 3% of their charge over a week...

A final recommendation for regular mobility users: consider getting a smart charger as soon as you can afford one. Batteries need to be kept in balance, and scooters and wheelchairs are supplied with the cheapest possible options, which can't do this. If you start out with a pair that aren't...

Before I switched to lithium, I used Tayna Battery in Wales. Fair prices, next day delivery, and the only time I had an issue with one of my pair, they replaced it free and without quibble. To be honest, though, I reckon most battery specialists (I'd never consider buying from a mobility...

Agree 100%. When I bought my first powerchair I went to the local Disability Living Centre, a charity which had all the equipment for people to test out, but didn't actually sell anything. I would have bought the wrong chair if it hadn't been for them, because I'd never used one before; I...

It'll be good to have a proper trial on it as a potential treatment, as no-one's likely to get the funding for an ME trial unless these results are promising. I suspect the most likely outcome is inconclusive, as with most things, but I suppose there's a chance it'll be clearer!

If you're buying from a dealer, many of them will do in-home demos. Some thoughts about trying them out: Never try just one, because you need to get a sense of the different types of ride and controls. Once you have an idea which model you like, it's best to try it on more than one occasion if...

If you like that model and can find it for sale, there's no reason not to go for one. It's just that—as with everything!—there's a lot of variability between makes and models, and I'd say it's best to avoid any that you haven't already given a thorough trial on bad paving. My late aunt and mum...

Very well thought-out and worded message, @Trish. Hopefully it will persuade the candidate to think about what they're trying to achieve, whether it might help to know at least little bit about the conditions they're investigating, and whether questions like these can be even be answered...

I know, and yet it's considered perfectly normal in autism. It's not fixable, any more than any other developmental difference, and it contributes nothing to symptoms other than the inability to identify and describe feelings verbally. But guess what—verbal skills are pretty low down on the...

I hired a Pride GoGo Sport on a year-long loan from our local council, and it was very capable. We went across all kinds of terrain, including deep mud and adverse cambers over rough grass. Given that it's only actually designed for shopping, it was pretty impressive. When you get it out of a...