For decades, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) has remained a medical enigma—misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and often dismissed. But breakthrough research might finally be changing that.
In this accessible and hopeful guide, ME/CFS patient Patrick Ussher distills the groundbreaking work of Professors Klaus Wirth and Carmen Scheibenbogen, who have proposed a compelling unifying model of ME/CFS. This new understanding brings together multiple dysfunctions—low blood volume, microclots, mitochondrial damage, autoimmunity, and more—into one interconnected cycle. It may, at last, explain why so many suffer from post-exertional malaise, brain fog, and relentless fatigue.
More than just theory, this book discusses healing strategies:
Breathing techniques to improve oxygenation Ancestral nutrition and gut repairMicroclot treatmentsBlood-washing procedures like HELP Apheresis & ImmunoadsorptionThe Perrin techniqueThe strengths & limitations of neuroplasticity ('brain retraining') Promising future medications—especially the new ‘Mitodicure’ pill, which could become the first drug specifically for ME/CFSPatrick also shares his own story of living with ME/CFS and what has helped him most—physically and emotionally. His goal is to empower fellow patients with knowledge, practical tools, and renewed hope.
Whether you have ME/CFS or Long Covid, this book will help you understand your illness—and imagine a life beyond it.
Includes a foreword by Prof. Klaus Wirth who is developing the ‘Mitodicure’ pill.
Patrick Ussher has had ME/CFS for seven years. He has a YouTube channel, 'Understanding ME-CFS', in which he talks about the research into ME/CFS and Long Covid in an accessible way and in which he shares treatment strategies that he has tried. He has also written a medical hypothesis on the potential causes of excessive thirst in ME/CFS and Long Covid and why this symptom has likely been historically misdiagnosed as 'psychogenic water drinking' ('The Myth of Primary Polydipsia'). He also gives regular talks to patient groups such as The Irish ME Trust and has written for the ME/CFS blog, Health Rising, on various topics.
Patrick has also written a book which compares Stoicism and Buddhism (Stoicism and Western Buddhism: A Reflection on Two Philosophical Ways of Life) and edited several books on modern-day applications of Stoic philosophy (Stoicism Today: Selected Writings, Volumes One & Two). In 2018, he worked with Columba Press to publish a new version of his late mother's book on coping with breast cancer, titled: 'Following the Pink Ribbon Path'. He has a BA and MA in Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin) from The University of Exeter.
He is also the composer of music in a contemporary classical style and is part of the online Artlist catalogue. His music can be listened to on Spotify. Patrick is from Ireland and has lived in both Ireland and France over the course of his illness.
Excellent book has finally helped me to understand the “stranger’s body” I now inhabit. One Covid infection has led to a Long Covid and ME diagnosis. Myalgic encephalomyletitis is not a new illness- but it is understudied and funded. Patrick Ussher speaks from his own experience as an ME/CFS patient researcher. Heavily influenced by the work of Wirth and Scheibenbogen- he describes this as an illness of global hyper perfusion. When I began reading the book, I could not understand that term. I spent the spring learning from Ussher’s book- what is orthostatic intolerance and why am I unable to stand without pain/ malaise? What role does auto immunity play? What is the cause of exercise intolerance? He even tackles the thorny topic of brain retraining- finding benefit in some elements- but clearly stating our illness is not psychosomatic. With a mix of detailed research and plain language summaries- I found this to be incredibly helpful to my healing journey. I will reread it.; like many with long Covid and ME- my memory and cognition is impacted. Knowledge is power. While I watch the reach search- I understand I need to save myself. This book gives me a foundation to do so.