Sleep dysfunction can be a deeply isolating symptom, shrinking individuals' daily functional hours. The symptom burden and ripple effects can impact mental health. We urge anyone in distress to consider reaching out to appropriate organisations e.g. Mind mind.org.uk/

Being awake when others are asleep, being asleep when others are awake, feeling exhausted but not sleepy, waking up several times a night, waking up in the morning feeling unrefreshed ... sleep dysfunction manifests in countless ways in ME/CFS. tinyurl.com/sleepdysmeimpact

Sleep dysfunction can feel like a heavy weight on top of an already debilitating condition. We have drawn together some of the common themes about the experience of sleep dysfunction from our recent survey: tinyurl.com/sleepdysmeimpact

"I am ever so grateful. I have been so fortunate that so many people have contacted me that I have closed the recruitment phase of my study" - Holly Ellerton A big thank you to all who responded to the @BangorUni study on 'How do women with ME/CFS navigate menopause.'

Zoe Sirotiak – a person with ME/CFS, researcher, and physical therapist – has published a paper on how the societal expectation for people who are unwell to “get better” can create harm for people with chronic diseases, like ME/CFS. Read more: bit.ly/4irwxOp

As part of the ME/CFS Delivery plan, the government undertook to create a template service for mild and moderate ME/CFS - from a parliamentary answer the work on a draft Template (which covers severe ME/CFS) has been completed - tinyurl.com/3kmnnf5w - but details lacking.

A @BangorUni study on 'How do women with ME/CFS make sense of going through the menopause' is looking for participants. Full details can be found by scanning the QR code or at tinyurl.com/y6amhmnb This is not an ME Research UK-funded project.

Raise doubled donations this month for ME Research UK - simply register for a free account with Give As You Live and shop to start raising donations for free - tinyurl.com/ytff9z3d

People with ME/CFS are harmed not only by the disease itself, but also by the repeated demand to justify and defend their lived experience of the physical illness, and emotionally manage other people’s disbelief, finds paper by Sven Walter. Read more: bit.ly/4h5GsH5

ME Research UK wants to present its work and the realities of ME/CFS in ways that are relatable to supporters. We are collecting anonymous quotes about various symptoms to be used at our discretion online, in print, and for internal education. tinyurl.com/sleepdyssurveyME

In the third deep-dive of our weekly Symptom Saturday series, we explore sleep dysfunction in ME/CFS – including lived experience, different patterns of sleep disruption, and research suggesting challenges across the brain and nervous system. Read more: tinyurl.com/sleepdyssymptoms…

Earlier today, ME Research UK highlighted videos from Prof Carding and Dr Haagmans @TheQuadram about their ME Research UK-funded work. Dr Haagmans describes the project and explains how the work has supported his career. Info: bit.ly/4duvYzV meres.uk/4gL7XXu

Prof. Simon Carding and Dr Rik Haagmans @TheQuadram have recorded short videos on their ME Research UK-funded work. Here, Prof. Carding highlights how this ME Research UK grant helped them secure major EU Horizon Funding. Info: bit.ly/4duvYzV youtube.com/watch?v=QrnVD61u…

A study led by Prof. Dmitri Pchejetski has found “shared biology” in five fatigue-related illnesses: ME/CFS, long COVID, PTSD, MS, and RA. However, there are important methodological limitations that must be considered. More info: bit.ly/4xPOzid

The Big Give 2026 Pledge phase has wrapped up! 🎉 Thanks to our Pledgers the first £14,943 donated during the Big Give 2026 Christmas Challenge (1st to 8th Dec) will be DOUBLED. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/33razdbz

Research highlighting “shared biology across ME/CFS, long COVID, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis” was discussed 3rd of September on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme (listen at bit.ly/4gThhr9 - approximately 2.48.12). Read more: meres.uk/3TcoSt0

Your phone bill could help fund the research that brings us closer to answers for ME/CFS. Through our partnership with MyCharity Mobile, 15% of your monthly mobile spend comes to ME Research UK when you choose us as your designated charity. meresearch.org.uk/mycharity-…

Why become a Pledger in the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026? All funds received are invested in research. 2024 - Dr Annesley - tinyurl.com/2unuy9j4 2025 - announcement soon! Pledge window closes 5pm tomorrow - tinyurl.com/44kp8h6b

Careers are impacted, cherished hobbies become exhausting, and relationships grow strained. The sheer symptom burden and ripple effects can impact mental health. We urge anyone in distress to consider reaching out to appropriate organisations e.g. Mind (mind.org.uk/)

We are deeply appreciative that the community has shared their experiences with us. As with the accounts of post-exertional malaise (PEM), those detailing the devastation of cognitive dysfunction in ME/CFS are both moving and profoundly informative. tinyurl.com/brainfogimpactME