An Introduction To ME By Dr Hng

E

Eagles

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
An Introduction To ME By Dr Hng



Dr. Hng’s story

I had probably been sick for two whole years, before I deteriorated to the extent that I wasn’t coping, and seeked help. In that time, I just couldn’t perform. I was slow, and simply did not get through many patients. In clinic, I fell asleep, and it would happen even when a patient was with me. I remember desperately trying to pull my brain out of sleep, to make sense of the information coming my way, to select the right investigations. And trying not to look like I had just nodded off inside my head, not hearing what had been said!

I thought I was unfit. I had been off work on sick leave and maternity leave for 15 months, and was immobile for most of it. While I did try to build up some strength before going back into work, it was difficult with a baby and I didn’t even manage a daily short walk. Perhaps I was held back by exhaustion as well and didn’t know it…
 
I have read Dr Hng's book.

It is a moving story of her experiences, but to be honest I don't think it's a good resource for educating doctors. It is very much one person's individual experience, and not necessarily typical. It is a very short book, but includes a lot about her work and family life, and very little actually about ME as it is experienced by anyone other than herself.

That is absolutely fine as a personal story, but I don't think it's a good educational tool, particularly as the life she describes at the time she got ME was so frantically busy I suspect many people might attribute her symptoms of exhaustion and falling asleep a lot as burnout.

I hope she has learned a lot more since producing the book about the wider picture of ME so any educational work she does for doctors is well founded. She could be a very valuable resource if she gets it right.

Edit June 2019. It sounds like the newer edition is much better.
 
Last edited:
Not sure what this product is. Is it a presentation or a document. The content is some extracts from the book. If a presentation there is far too much information on each page. Even as a summary not convinced it is that effective. It needs to have key points, use headings and bullets rather than dense blocks of text and long lists of references. To get a message home it needs to be up front and for people to actually read on it needs to be in as few pages as possible ideally two Or four maximum.

I’ve read Dr Hngs book too. It isn’t a bad read as a personal story with some info on ME at the end. Her idea is to get people to give their copy of her book to GPs to read so that they will begin to understand and take some interest in ME. It didn’t have any effect on my GP.
 
Last edited:
Yes, hopefully that typo in the very first sentence can be fixed up. I agree with the criticisms above.

But it must have taken a lot of bravery for Dr Hng to stick her head above the parapet and announce to her colleagues and the world that she has ME when she wrote her book, and still more bravery to take more steps to educate the medical professions.

I doubt that this brochure is going to change the minds of many doctors. I guess though, I appreciate the effort made and don't think it will do harm. There have been a lot worse efforts to inform people about ME. I hope that Dr Hng, if she is not already a member, joins us here on the forum as I think she could contribute a lot.
 
I’ve just finished the full book. I don’t necessarily disagree with most of what has been said already but still think this book could be useful in getting through to some doctors especially as she is one of their own. Best done alongside drier, more fact-based material.
 
Last edited:
There's an article on the Hope4ME &Fibro NI FB group Announcements page for 25 Jan 2019

I think this is public access. I just remember hearing it had gone well, not much info.
 
Book review by Joe Moss June 5 2019

I have just finished reading the book “Doctor with M.E.: My Journey with “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” by Dr. K N Hng. I believe it’s an important book that has the potential to educate many about the reality of living with ME/CFS.

It’s an honest account of life with ME/CFS by a doctor who developed the condition, but it’s also an important educational tool. It’s a great book to read if you live with ME/CFS yourself. Or if you would like to help your family and friends understand Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) a little better, why not pass it on to them?
Click to expand...
While reading the sections where Dr Hng describes what it feels like to live with ME/CFS, I found myself nodding along. Our symptoms are often so bizarre that we can sometimes doubt ourselves, so her descriptions validate my experiences and struggles.
Click to expand...

full blog here:
https://www.ajourneythroughthefog.c...ey-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-book-review/
 
Thanks, Trish!

(Edited to remove emojis that, in the light of day, seemed a little disrespectful.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom