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Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalitis: It's Mitochondria, Not Hypochondria
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, essential for the production and management of energy at the cell level. Dr. Sarah Myhill has spent years studying the relationship between mitochondrial malfunction and one of the most common problems that leads people to the doctor's fatigue.
In Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalitis, Dr. Myhill examines this essential role of our mitochondria in energy production and why it is key to understanding and overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the inflammation that often accompanies Myalgic Encephalitis (ME). She explains the importance of healthy mitochondria, how we can assess how well they are functioning, what we can do to keep them healthy, and how to restore them to health if problems arise.
Since publication of the first edition in 2014, new research and new clinical findings have shed further light on a condition that is debilitating to those who suffer from it, but "all in the head" to many doctors. The second edition of this groundbreaking book includes new insights and chapters on why CFS/ME is the most poorly treated condition in Western medicine, the role of the gut, allergy and autoimmunity, Lyme disease and other coinfections, reprogramming the immune system, reprogramming the brain, and the roadmap to recovery.
In Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalitis, Dr. Myhill examines this essential role of our mitochondria in energy production and why it is key to understanding and overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the inflammation that often accompanies Myalgic Encephalitis (ME). She explains the importance of healthy mitochondria, how we can assess how well they are functioning, what we can do to keep them healthy, and how to restore them to health if problems arise.
Since publication of the first edition in 2014, new research and new clinical findings have shed further light on a condition that is debilitating to those who suffer from it, but "all in the head" to many doctors. The second edition of this groundbreaking book includes new insights and chapters on why CFS/ME is the most poorly treated condition in Western medicine, the role of the gut, allergy and autoimmunity, Lyme disease and other coinfections, reprogramming the immune system, reprogramming the brain, and the roadmap to recovery.
531 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2014
156 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 15, 2021
https://i.imgur.com/ZxwI894.gifv
(Quick prelude to rant: Apologies in advance for grammar, typos and bad writing. And I appreciate you finding the time to listen as I scream into the void. Thanks for reading. )
Medicine is so easy don’t you know! It’s simple and involves stuffing your body full of vitamins you can get at the grocery store and buying new cookbooks! Those EVIL doctors over there are hiding the truth from you. Did you know that there is an EVIL doctor cabal who falsely complicate science for their own profit to sell you poison! And get this, the science is indisputable! Read my book and blindly believe the extremely statistically dubious research studies I reference from AMAZING genius handpicked GOOD doctors (and do not under any circumstances do a quick google search of my claims).
Umm, what is that saying, that if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it may just be… Quackery. I would argue that a more accurate descriptor for Myhill's behavior may be Wolfery. Hands down, Sarah Myhill is an excellent practitioner of the age-old science of narcissistic predatory medical wolfery. In this profession, lovely everyday people, with legitimate needs, come from near and far, to line up before the narcissist (performative self-describing healer) so he/she may prey on their ignorance & goodwill, get-off on their adoration, and relieve them of their money.
Myhill, like typical swindlers is a torrential rainfall of false promises and misinformation, manufactured to exploit the desperate & needy. In essence, she claims that she alone figured out the health mysteries people have been desperately researching since the dawn of time. And being the brilliant compassionate Messiah that she is who discovered the answers (that coincidentally require no expert or special biological knowledge to understand & are intentionally being kept from you) she so selflessly and tirelessly works as your personal savior and to all those poor, oppressed, critically ill people experiencing the horrors at the hands of the evil doctor cabals at the center of our public health system. Praise be to Sarah Myhill!
Ugh spoiler alert, it’s Vitamin C & her diet plan (buy more books!) & pseudoscience diagnostic testing that you can order from her that only she can interpret (the doctors don’t want what’s best for you) & buckets of vitamins to irritate the whole of your digestive track! Woohoo!
Lastly, this book made me feel deep sadness for the target audience. They are two-fold, (1) suffering from debilitating illness(es) and are desperate for compassionate medical care (ie healing) & (2) are unaware of the basic biology and medical science to see through the false claims, inaccuracies & illogical conclusions portrayed in her shameless egotistical marketing ploy. It's disgraceful that there is not the public health protections in place (or the public will among the educated community to demand protections) to adequately warn the public of grifts & their grifters and EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHY CLAIMS ARE WRONG in a manner that is both respectful and educational of the basic life science that they exploit. Heck!! Where are the health campaigns EDUCATING the public so they can make informed decisions and protect themselves from falling victim to swindlers, liars & manipulators?! Where are the professional organizations self-proclaiming consumer protection? Medical quackery not only harms their victims, but the community in which the victims live.
The damage is real and it truly pains my heart.
For the sake of public health her publications should have a "Predator Alert" warning sticker marked across their front.
(Quick prelude to rant: Apologies in advance for grammar, typos and bad writing. And I appreciate you finding the time to listen as I scream into the void. Thanks for reading. )
Medicine is so easy don’t you know! It’s simple and involves stuffing your body full of vitamins you can get at the grocery store and buying new cookbooks! Those EVIL doctors over there are hiding the truth from you. Did you know that there is an EVIL doctor cabal who falsely complicate science for their own profit to sell you poison! And get this, the science is indisputable! Read my book and blindly believe the extremely statistically dubious research studies I reference from AMAZING genius handpicked GOOD doctors (and do not under any circumstances do a quick google search of my claims).
Umm, what is that saying, that if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, it may just be… Quackery. I would argue that a more accurate descriptor for Myhill's behavior may be Wolfery. Hands down, Sarah Myhill is an excellent practitioner of the age-old science of narcissistic predatory medical wolfery. In this profession, lovely everyday people, with legitimate needs, come from near and far, to line up before the narcissist (performative self-describing healer) so he/she may prey on their ignorance & goodwill, get-off on their adoration, and relieve them of their money.
Myhill, like typical swindlers is a torrential rainfall of false promises and misinformation, manufactured to exploit the desperate & needy. In essence, she claims that she alone figured out the health mysteries people have been desperately researching since the dawn of time. And being the brilliant compassionate Messiah that she is who discovered the answers (that coincidentally require no expert or special biological knowledge to understand & are intentionally being kept from you) she so selflessly and tirelessly works as your personal savior and to all those poor, oppressed, critically ill people experiencing the horrors at the hands of the evil doctor cabals at the center of our public health system. Praise be to Sarah Myhill!
Ugh spoiler alert, it’s Vitamin C & her diet plan (buy more books!) & pseudoscience diagnostic testing that you can order from her that only she can interpret (the doctors don’t want what’s best for you) & buckets of vitamins to irritate the whole of your digestive track! Woohoo!
Lastly, this book made me feel deep sadness for the target audience. They are two-fold, (1) suffering from debilitating illness(es) and are desperate for compassionate medical care (ie healing) & (2) are unaware of the basic biology and medical science to see through the false claims, inaccuracies & illogical conclusions portrayed in her shameless egotistical marketing ploy. It's disgraceful that there is not the public health protections in place (or the public will among the educated community to demand protections) to adequately warn the public of grifts & their grifters and EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHY CLAIMS ARE WRONG in a manner that is both respectful and educational of the basic life science that they exploit. Heck!! Where are the health campaigns EDUCATING the public so they can make informed decisions and protect themselves from falling victim to swindlers, liars & manipulators?! Where are the professional organizations self-proclaiming consumer protection? Medical quackery not only harms their victims, but the community in which the victims live.
The damage is real and it truly pains my heart.
For the sake of public health her publications should have a "Predator Alert" warning sticker marked across their front.
March 13, 2016
I'm giving this a 4 for now but I'm quite prepared to go up to 5 if it works as well as I hope.
This is the first book I've read that really provides hope for medical treatment of CFS/ME, rather than just management. Dr Myhill bases her recommendations on clinical experience as well as medical theory that makes a lot of sense. There's a kind of mystique surrounding CFS/ME that means some people don't believe in it at all (as if it's a matter of faith, or 'you just need to get out a bit more' - which I was actually told tonight) while many sufferers feel their situation is completely hopeless. This book does offer hope and made me willing to try the recommendations to see how they go.
She makes the point that there are many causes of CFS and in that sense, it's a symptom, not a disease in itself. However, she posits that everyone has damage at the cellular level, and this can be treated with rest, diet and supplements - although the recommended supplements vary for different cases.
Another good point about this for UK readers is that Dr Myhill is actually in the UK and (currently) accessible to be consulted and for tests, so if you have the money and can stand the thought of injecting vitamins, you could get individual tailored prescriptions depending on your test results. I'm going to try the general recommendations first but I have enough confidence after reading this that it would be worth taking it further if I don't improve.
For readers of the Kindle version, be aware unfortunately the publishers have not paid attention to the various graphs and charts in the book which come out either truncated or too tiny to read on the Kindle. Also, only about 60% of the book is the main text. The rest is notes which are often repetitive - there's a lot of repetition, which she explains as wanting to make everything clear for people who are just dipping in.
If you are stuck for cash, all this information and more seems to be on her website at drmyhill.co.uk, but the book puts it into a sensible and more accessible order, and will help you not to feel overwhelmed - important for CFS sufferers!
ETA: 5 stars at March 2016. I've been getting steadily better since starting Dr Myhill's general recommendations and am now almost recovered. Of course I don't know how much is down to the supplements and what would have happened if I'd done nothing, but it certainly seemed to help where other things hadn't.
This is the first book I've read that really provides hope for medical treatment of CFS/ME, rather than just management. Dr Myhill bases her recommendations on clinical experience as well as medical theory that makes a lot of sense. There's a kind of mystique surrounding CFS/ME that means some people don't believe in it at all (as if it's a matter of faith, or 'you just need to get out a bit more' - which I was actually told tonight) while many sufferers feel their situation is completely hopeless. This book does offer hope and made me willing to try the recommendations to see how they go.
She makes the point that there are many causes of CFS and in that sense, it's a symptom, not a disease in itself. However, she posits that everyone has damage at the cellular level, and this can be treated with rest, diet and supplements - although the recommended supplements vary for different cases.
Another good point about this for UK readers is that Dr Myhill is actually in the UK and (currently) accessible to be consulted and for tests, so if you have the money and can stand the thought of injecting vitamins, you could get individual tailored prescriptions depending on your test results. I'm going to try the general recommendations first but I have enough confidence after reading this that it would be worth taking it further if I don't improve.
For readers of the Kindle version, be aware unfortunately the publishers have not paid attention to the various graphs and charts in the book which come out either truncated or too tiny to read on the Kindle. Also, only about 60% of the book is the main text. The rest is notes which are often repetitive - there's a lot of repetition, which she explains as wanting to make everything clear for people who are just dipping in.
If you are stuck for cash, all this information and more seems to be on her website at drmyhill.co.uk, but the book puts it into a sensible and more accessible order, and will help you not to feel overwhelmed - important for CFS sufferers!
ETA: 5 stars at March 2016. I've been getting steadily better since starting Dr Myhill's general recommendations and am now almost recovered. Of course I don't know how much is down to the supplements and what would have happened if I'd done nothing, but it certainly seemed to help where other things hadn't.
March 24, 2017
Anyone who has every had a mysterious or chronic illness probably knows that there are some things that modern Western medicine doesn't handle very well. If you have the misfortune to suffer from some aspect of the FM/CFS/ME family, you may have discovered that doctors, far from being your trusted confidants, can be your worst enemies. The recent revelation about the flaws in the PACE trials, which recommended GET (Graded Exercise Therapy) for CFS sufferers, despite the copious evidence from the patients themselves that GET was making them worse, sometimes dramatically so, rather than better, is just part and parcel of willful misunderstanding of this debilitating illness among many mainstream medical practitioners, who, short on time and long on hubris, grasp at anything that they think will get these problem patients out of their hair.
In light of these background factors, Dr. Myhill deserves profound gratitude for her tireless crusading on behalf of the CFS/ME community, and even more gratitude for her work to help uncover the physiological processes behind the illness. Her hypotheses of mitochondrial function vis-a-vis CFS/ME, and the tests she helped pioneer to measure it, will, we hope, go a long way to clarifying some of the more mystifying and frustrating symptoms, particularly Post-Exertional Malaise. Having lab tests that medical professionals may be more inclined to trust than the anecdotal evidence of thousands of sufferers is an essential start towards treating this illness.
Unfortunately, there isn't really a cure yet for failing or damaged mitochondria. Dr. Myhill does have an arsenal of treatment options for CFS/ME patients, which essential boil down to a ketogenic diet, massive supplementation, and various methods of attempting to balance thyroid and adrenal function, fight infection, and "detox," which the book lays out in a fair amount of detail. If you want to try her methods and don't have a helpful doctor to work with you, you should be able to do most of her suggestions on your own by following her instructions in the book.
She claims an impressive track record of improvements, much better than that of conventional treatments, and I have to say, without having tried her treatment regimen yet, that most likely it will do most people less harm and more good than GET. Of course, so would hitting yourself repeatedly with a hammer, so the bar is low. The reasoning behind the basics of her treatment program is sound: make sure mitochondria have all the nutrients they need to function, and try not to overload them with stress, exertion, toxins, or infections.
That being said, I do find myself somewhat skeptical about some of the things she suggests, which range from the above-mentioned ketogenic diet to buying over-the-counter cortisone cream and ingesting it in order to balance out adrenal function. Which I totally get as an idea, because part of her hypothesis is that one aspect of CFS/ME is that it is like low-grade Addison's Disease, but it still makes me nervous to think of eating cortisone cream. I also have concerns about the long-term, heavy-duty supplementation she suggests, given the recents findings regarding the dangers of vitamin supplements, and while I do in fact share some of her reservations regarding vaccinations and hormonal birth control, these are still life-saving medical innovations that are currently under attack here in the US (Dr. Myhill is British), so I feel queasy about attacking them too vocally. It is unfortunate that the medical profession seems so determined to undo all the good it's achieved with vaccines and antibiotics by taking such a blinkered, heavy-handed approach to illnesses such as AIDS, and now Lyme disease and CFS/ME, but it is up to us to try to sort out the good from the bad.
Anyway, the main question I have about Dr. Myhill's methods is that she says you will feel substantially worse for the first few weeks after starting them, before then beginning to improve. So is it the methods themselves that are curing you, or the weeks of enforced rest? Having just come down with the latest crud floating around my campus, I was fascinated and horrified to realize that my walk time from my parking spot to my classroom had actually *improved* after a day home sick. Apparently the exertion of going into work is even more harmful to my body than a stomach flu. So could a lot of us get better(ish) on our own just by taking a vacation? But that, alas, is something is isn't going to make anyone any money, so I doubt we'll see any studies being done on that any time soon. In any case, if you have anything in the FM/CFS/ME spectrum, you would probably do well to read this book and consider the options it offers, even if you don't end up taking all of them.
In light of these background factors, Dr. Myhill deserves profound gratitude for her tireless crusading on behalf of the CFS/ME community, and even more gratitude for her work to help uncover the physiological processes behind the illness. Her hypotheses of mitochondrial function vis-a-vis CFS/ME, and the tests she helped pioneer to measure it, will, we hope, go a long way to clarifying some of the more mystifying and frustrating symptoms, particularly Post-Exertional Malaise. Having lab tests that medical professionals may be more inclined to trust than the anecdotal evidence of thousands of sufferers is an essential start towards treating this illness.
Unfortunately, there isn't really a cure yet for failing or damaged mitochondria. Dr. Myhill does have an arsenal of treatment options for CFS/ME patients, which essential boil down to a ketogenic diet, massive supplementation, and various methods of attempting to balance thyroid and adrenal function, fight infection, and "detox," which the book lays out in a fair amount of detail. If you want to try her methods and don't have a helpful doctor to work with you, you should be able to do most of her suggestions on your own by following her instructions in the book.
She claims an impressive track record of improvements, much better than that of conventional treatments, and I have to say, without having tried her treatment regimen yet, that most likely it will do most people less harm and more good than GET. Of course, so would hitting yourself repeatedly with a hammer, so the bar is low. The reasoning behind the basics of her treatment program is sound: make sure mitochondria have all the nutrients they need to function, and try not to overload them with stress, exertion, toxins, or infections.
That being said, I do find myself somewhat skeptical about some of the things she suggests, which range from the above-mentioned ketogenic diet to buying over-the-counter cortisone cream and ingesting it in order to balance out adrenal function. Which I totally get as an idea, because part of her hypothesis is that one aspect of CFS/ME is that it is like low-grade Addison's Disease, but it still makes me nervous to think of eating cortisone cream. I also have concerns about the long-term, heavy-duty supplementation she suggests, given the recents findings regarding the dangers of vitamin supplements, and while I do in fact share some of her reservations regarding vaccinations and hormonal birth control, these are still life-saving medical innovations that are currently under attack here in the US (Dr. Myhill is British), so I feel queasy about attacking them too vocally. It is unfortunate that the medical profession seems so determined to undo all the good it's achieved with vaccines and antibiotics by taking such a blinkered, heavy-handed approach to illnesses such as AIDS, and now Lyme disease and CFS/ME, but it is up to us to try to sort out the good from the bad.
Anyway, the main question I have about Dr. Myhill's methods is that she says you will feel substantially worse for the first few weeks after starting them, before then beginning to improve. So is it the methods themselves that are curing you, or the weeks of enforced rest? Having just come down with the latest crud floating around my campus, I was fascinated and horrified to realize that my walk time from my parking spot to my classroom had actually *improved* after a day home sick. Apparently the exertion of going into work is even more harmful to my body than a stomach flu. So could a lot of us get better(ish) on our own just by taking a vacation? But that, alas, is something is isn't going to make anyone any money, so I doubt we'll see any studies being done on that any time soon. In any case, if you have anything in the FM/CFS/ME spectrum, you would probably do well to read this book and consider the options it offers, even if you don't end up taking all of them.
August 28, 2014
All the reviews on Amazon Kindle explained that this book told them what their doctors wouldn't, so I bought it expecting to perhaps have a different angle of insight, a new theory, just anything that would be new to me, having CFS myself. I found that this book, in fact, just told me everything that my doctors already have.
However, the medical side of this explains far more than anything else I've read/heard and it was definitely helpful to finally see that side of it! If you're planning on reading this, I strongly recommend buying the actual copy and not an eBook version. I wouldn't suggest it to fellow M.E sufferers looking for treatment or help with coping, but I would if you're looking to understand M.E! Chances are you're already doing every coping method mentioned. :-)
However, the medical side of this explains far more than anything else I've read/heard and it was definitely helpful to finally see that side of it! If you're planning on reading this, I strongly recommend buying the actual copy and not an eBook version. I wouldn't suggest it to fellow M.E sufferers looking for treatment or help with coping, but I would if you're looking to understand M.E! Chances are you're already doing every coping method mentioned. :-)
January 4, 2018
As the perfect book to help those of us with this disease has yet to be written, this gets 4 stars. Also, CON: recipes leave out key information, overall there is too much “personality” and side remarks which I wouldn’t mind except that I need super streamlined and very complete data so I found the side remarks distracting. PRO: it is the only package deal book I could find, it encompasses everything from nutrients to pacing to exercises to disability; additionally, the wiki on Dr Myhill and the Facebook group pages are tremendous resources.
September 21, 2014
It's probably a 5 but there are bits I don't fully understand! The vast majority of it struck a chord, made me think and gave me a way forward.
October 6, 2022
I feel like this is one big joke that I'm not in on? I genuinely do not understand how this book has survived any medico-legal checks. Apparently, everything is an allergy. It's repetitive and hypocritical, but dangerously recommends a vitamin cocktail (that she conveniently sells), steroids, stimulants, and a paleo-ketogenic diet that avoids toxic fruit, not to mention the conspiracies about big pharma and western medicine. It consistently makes her the one good doctor to save us all, with references to her other books for more saving. It outright lies about some medicine that a simple Google search will prove wrong, and claims that the liver cannot cope with metabolising medication for people with ME/CFS but actually medication is fine if it's a sleeping tablet or steroid.
The only good section is on pacing, but it's nothing that isn't already out there from more reputable sources, and goes on to suggest exercising to failure to release lactic acid for progress which it spent several chapters saying is the cause of PEM? Genuinely questioning the logic here.
If I didn't know better, the rave reviews would have completely swayed me, because I'm so desperate that they’re still tempting me to give it a go. This is dangerous when people in a similar position would believe everything she says, without the energy to do their own research (and why should they?) could come to harm in trying her convoluted treatments. Maybe I'll try some of the suggestions in an actual safe way and see if they make a difference and report back, but please for the love of god do not buy random things from the internet or take so much vitamin C that you shit your self, as is recommended.
Also: they is simpler than he/she USE IT. And for a book aimed at those with ME/CFS make it more concise for gods sake.
The only good section is on pacing, but it's nothing that isn't already out there from more reputable sources, and goes on to suggest exercising to failure to release lactic acid for progress which it spent several chapters saying is the cause of PEM? Genuinely questioning the logic here.
If I didn't know better, the rave reviews would have completely swayed me, because I'm so desperate that they’re still tempting me to give it a go. This is dangerous when people in a similar position would believe everything she says, without the energy to do their own research (and why should they?) could come to harm in trying her convoluted treatments. Maybe I'll try some of the suggestions in an actual safe way and see if they make a difference and report back, but please for the love of god do not buy random things from the internet or take so much vitamin C that you shit your self, as is recommended.
Also: they is simpler than he/she USE IT. And for a book aimed at those with ME/CFS make it more concise for gods sake.
October 26, 2018
Dr Myhill is one of the few UK doctors who is trying to find effective treatment for this debilitating but poorly understood condition.
This is a comprehensive review of the symptoms, possible causes and most importantly currently available treatment for ME/CFS.
This is quite a technical book so patients would be advised to read it in small doses. I thought it was so useful that I bought a second copy to give to my doctors. It is one of the few books on the topic which I would advise anyone with this as a diagnosis to obtain, read and implement.
Does it promise a cure, absolutely not. It is a series of strategies which if implemented may result in reduction of symptoms. Not all strategies will work for each individual. This books is about taking control back over your symptoms and working out what works best for you.
This is a comprehensive review of the symptoms, possible causes and most importantly currently available treatment for ME/CFS.
This is quite a technical book so patients would be advised to read it in small doses. I thought it was so useful that I bought a second copy to give to my doctors. It is one of the few books on the topic which I would advise anyone with this as a diagnosis to obtain, read and implement.
Does it promise a cure, absolutely not. It is a series of strategies which if implemented may result in reduction of symptoms. Not all strategies will work for each individual. This books is about taking control back over your symptoms and working out what works best for you.
November 14, 2014
An interesting read, but if you have CFS/ME and you are suffering from bran fog, then it can be rather cumbersome to read. A lot of it refers back to her website, so you get a wee synopsis of what she is talking about, then a URL to her website to follow to read up on it more, if you so wish.
Good.
Good.
December 29, 2018
If you suffer from CFS/ME or Fibromyalgia, then you owe it to yourself to read this authoritative publication. It contains excellent, sound medical advice based on the excellent National Institute of Health funded research conducted by the author and her team. As a CFS/ME sufferer I have found following the wisdom contained therein to be life-changing.
September 2, 2020
If you have ME/CFS, this is a must read! Dr. Myhill is an expert on an illness that is still fighting to be further researched. It was helpful to have the support and the research to back up how I feel and to more fully understand why my body does what it does. Now if I could just find a book about Dysautonomia that’s as good as this one!
September 10, 2020
This is an excellent read for providers to help care for CFS/ME patients. I think patients could gain a lot from this book as well but it is highly technical and dense. I appreciate that Dr. Myhill has summaries at the end of each chapter and many tables throughout the book. It's a great resource.
December 27, 2024
Disclaimer:
I read the third edition, found here, but most of the reviews are with this second edition, so thought I might offer mine here as well.
I was tentative about reading this book, as I had read that she had been investigated numerous times by the UK's General Medical Council for advocating non-evidence based treatments. That said, it was interesting to note that none of her clients had ever brought forward a complaint. As well, I noticed that she seemed vaccine hesitant.
So I started out my chronic fatigue research by reading 'Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness' first. It provided an overview of the research, but had no treatment suggestions.
I finally decided I would read Dr. Myhill's book with a critical lens, making sure to research her claims. I found this approach useful, in that I could sort out what I felt was currently backed by scientific research, and what was not. I also recognize the many limits of scientific research (i.e., minimal research done on treatments that are not patentable/profitable, not enough research on varied populations, etc.).
There are a number of things I appreciated about her book:
-she explains chronic fatigue syndrome as a clinical picture, not a diagnosis (i.e., it's not just one thing); this means that she explains the various factors that may be contributing to the fatigue, and how to address them
-she lays out a systematic way of addressing the issue, starting with diet and working through the possible factors that may be at play (e.g., adrenal/thyroid function, upper fermenting gut [aka SIBO], mitochondrial function/supplements, etc.)
-overall I really loved her compassionate and validating approach to ME/CFS/LC sufferers, and I really loved her British wordings and mannerisms
And there are a number of things I'm not so sure about:
-from my own research, I feel somewhat uncertain/hesitant about the large doses of vitamin C and iodine she recommends; I do see both are backed by research to some degree, but I feel uncertain of how long someone should take such high doses, and I don't recall her stating such (and I see concern stated in research about the effects of these high doses in longterm use at least)
-I can understand that vaccines may set off immune responses (I have not researched this thoroughly), but I am not on board with her telling people to avoid vaccines (she supports certain vaccines, so she is not completely anti-vaccine); she states that her acute protocol will deal with any issues without vaccines, but that seems particularly concerning to state without research and with the knowledge that everyone will be different in terms of what their body can fight off (again, I'm no expert here, just stating my concern)
-she seems quite anti-pharmaceutical (e.g., against antidepressants), though not completely (e.g., suggests that medications to sleep may be necessary for some [e.g., PTSD sufferers], supports low dose naltrexone therapy); I find this concerning in that I wonder if this will encourage people to ditch their pharmaceuticals and unnecessarily/too quickly and destabilize their systems
-there are more things that stood out to me, but I cannot remember them all...
On a more personal note:
With all this said, I actually really enjoyed the book and am very glad I read it. While the research is not clear regarding the longterm impact of the ketogenic diet, my personal experience resonated with her recommendation of the paleo-keto diet. While I already ate paleo, I had only practiced keto once before, and it was the most energy I've ever had. Seems silly now that I hadn't returned to that practice on my own, but reading this book helped me to return to that diet, and I have already noticed a difference in the first week.
I had already started researching and taking supplements for mitochondrial function before reading her book, but I really appreciated hearing her suggestions and comparing them with the research. She actually helped me to reduce the number I'm taking, which is helpful economically.
In the end, I am continuing to read more of her books with my critical part close by. I am feeling quite validated by so many of my lifestyle choices, and I do find her work very encouraging. I am grateful for her books and am impressed by her energy and confidence. At the same time, I definitely still feel concerned and very unsure about some of the recommendations.
I read the third edition, found here, but most of the reviews are with this second edition, so thought I might offer mine here as well.
I was tentative about reading this book, as I had read that she had been investigated numerous times by the UK's General Medical Council for advocating non-evidence based treatments. That said, it was interesting to note that none of her clients had ever brought forward a complaint. As well, I noticed that she seemed vaccine hesitant.
So I started out my chronic fatigue research by reading 'Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness' first. It provided an overview of the research, but had no treatment suggestions.
I finally decided I would read Dr. Myhill's book with a critical lens, making sure to research her claims. I found this approach useful, in that I could sort out what I felt was currently backed by scientific research, and what was not. I also recognize the many limits of scientific research (i.e., minimal research done on treatments that are not patentable/profitable, not enough research on varied populations, etc.).
There are a number of things I appreciated about her book:
-she explains chronic fatigue syndrome as a clinical picture, not a diagnosis (i.e., it's not just one thing); this means that she explains the various factors that may be contributing to the fatigue, and how to address them
-she lays out a systematic way of addressing the issue, starting with diet and working through the possible factors that may be at play (e.g., adrenal/thyroid function, upper fermenting gut [aka SIBO], mitochondrial function/supplements, etc.)
-overall I really loved her compassionate and validating approach to ME/CFS/LC sufferers, and I really loved her British wordings and mannerisms
And there are a number of things I'm not so sure about:
-from my own research, I feel somewhat uncertain/hesitant about the large doses of vitamin C and iodine she recommends; I do see both are backed by research to some degree, but I feel uncertain of how long someone should take such high doses, and I don't recall her stating such (and I see concern stated in research about the effects of these high doses in longterm use at least)
-I can understand that vaccines may set off immune responses (I have not researched this thoroughly), but I am not on board with her telling people to avoid vaccines (she supports certain vaccines, so she is not completely anti-vaccine); she states that her acute protocol will deal with any issues without vaccines, but that seems particularly concerning to state without research and with the knowledge that everyone will be different in terms of what their body can fight off (again, I'm no expert here, just stating my concern)
-she seems quite anti-pharmaceutical (e.g., against antidepressants), though not completely (e.g., suggests that medications to sleep may be necessary for some [e.g., PTSD sufferers], supports low dose naltrexone therapy); I find this concerning in that I wonder if this will encourage people to ditch their pharmaceuticals and unnecessarily/too quickly and destabilize their systems
-there are more things that stood out to me, but I cannot remember them all...
On a more personal note:
With all this said, I actually really enjoyed the book and am very glad I read it. While the research is not clear regarding the longterm impact of the ketogenic diet, my personal experience resonated with her recommendation of the paleo-keto diet. While I already ate paleo, I had only practiced keto once before, and it was the most energy I've ever had. Seems silly now that I hadn't returned to that practice on my own, but reading this book helped me to return to that diet, and I have already noticed a difference in the first week.
I had already started researching and taking supplements for mitochondrial function before reading her book, but I really appreciated hearing her suggestions and comparing them with the research. She actually helped me to reduce the number I'm taking, which is helpful economically.
In the end, I am continuing to read more of her books with my critical part close by. I am feeling quite validated by so many of my lifestyle choices, and I do find her work very encouraging. I am grateful for her books and am impressed by her energy and confidence. At the same time, I definitely still feel concerned and very unsure about some of the recommendations.
December 23, 2021
Accessible and heartfelt supportive text for the ME/CFS sufferer. Myhill is a beacon of light in the desolate wasteland that is professional advice and support of how to live with and recover from CFS/ME. I just wish there were more references to back up her multiple claims about this condition.
I tried Myhill's paleolythic-keto diet this year and lived on this diet for six months. After three months I felt like a new woman and had much more energy and better mental clarity than I had had in years, but after five months, my health and also my sanity (!) seemed to go downhill. The diet gave me insomnia and odd sensations in my head due to not bring able to be hydrated enough (despite drinking plenty of water with salt etc etc). I am back eating carbs again now but prioritise protein and vegetables and it really does help to make these the main components of my diet.
Myhill is definitely onto something but I wouldn't be comfortable doing her PK diet for longer than a few weeks in future.
I tried Myhill's paleolythic-keto diet this year and lived on this diet for six months. After three months I felt like a new woman and had much more energy and better mental clarity than I had had in years, but after five months, my health and also my sanity (!) seemed to go downhill. The diet gave me insomnia and odd sensations in my head due to not bring able to be hydrated enough (despite drinking plenty of water with salt etc etc). I am back eating carbs again now but prioritise protein and vegetables and it really does help to make these the main components of my diet.
Myhill is definitely onto something but I wouldn't be comfortable doing her PK diet for longer than a few weeks in future.
March 31, 2023
I’ll be honest I couldn’t read the entire book - I have CFS and it makes it impossible to read. I read the bite sized bits at the end of each chapter which seemed informative. An audiobook version would be really helpful. It is clear though that dr Mylhill cares about the cause of this disease and wants to help.
I’m sure this is one method towards recovery- one piece of the puzzle. And there are other completely contradictory methods to recovery. I guess we all have to try whatever it is that works for us 💙 wishing luck, love and hope to anyone struggling with this absolute b@sT@rD of an illness.
I’m sure this is one method towards recovery- one piece of the puzzle. And there are other completely contradictory methods to recovery. I guess we all have to try whatever it is that works for us 💙 wishing luck, love and hope to anyone struggling with this absolute b@sT@rD of an illness.
May 5, 2020
Great information
Very good explanations in layman's terms of the physiology of post exertion fatigue accompanied by sound treatment. The first couple chapters are predominantly her frustrations with the medical community for not recognizing CFS as a physiologic condition, but instead a hypocondriac condition. Nothing is further from the truth, as anyone be who suffers knows full well. Skip past that if you want to get right into the very beneficial information.
Very good explanations in layman's terms of the physiology of post exertion fatigue accompanied by sound treatment. The first couple chapters are predominantly her frustrations with the medical community for not recognizing CFS as a physiologic condition, but instead a hypocondriac condition. Nothing is further from the truth, as anyone be who suffers knows full well. Skip past that if you want to get right into the very beneficial information.
November 8, 2023
Simply, if you have ME/CFS—read this book. It will not only help you understand why your body is broken but also how to heal. I’m in the thick of this terrible illness and found comfort and hope with Dr. Myhill. When I reach a state of balance, I’ll report back why worked and what didn’t. For now, it’s my Bible.
August 15, 2021
LOTS of detailed info makes for a difficult read; finish with no action items
November 18, 2022
3 stars from me, but an extra star for an article she wrote on her website which has gone a long way to putting my sons autoimmime disease into remission
December 4, 2024
Very cliche and surface level advices and too repetitive
March 5, 2025
Excellent book my bible. I will always refer back to it. Thank you Dr Myhill
December 11, 2025
rather repetitive
April 4, 2019
I think this book is helpful in some respects, dangerous in others. I lost a lot of weight following the dietry advice thinking it was absolutely necessary. If you suffer from chronic fatigue you need to focus on identifying what your negative beliefs are first by seeing a cognitive hypnotherapist. These are what cause your biggest stressors in life and only when you identify them can you truly start healing.
November 13, 2019
I feel I perhaps waited too long to read this.
Too long ill, too long doing my own research, too long being bounced from consultant to consultant.
Maybe if I had read it sooner, I would have rated it higher. Instead of my own experiences probably skewing the experience of this book.
As it is, it felt like so much read/heard this all before. With a tone of attempting to hype up the reader like someone announcing a breakthrough.
Unfortunately, this means a lukewarm at best review.
Too long ill, too long doing my own research, too long being bounced from consultant to consultant.
Maybe if I had read it sooner, I would have rated it higher. Instead of my own experiences probably skewing the experience of this book.
As it is, it felt like so much read/heard this all before. With a tone of attempting to hype up the reader like someone announcing a breakthrough.
Unfortunately, this means a lukewarm at best review.
March 15, 2015
This makes such sense and I really identify with her explanations of CFS. Makes me hopeful.
August 21, 2017
An interesting book that has given me a lot to think about. It's still too early for me to comment on the efficacy of the protocol at the moment, but 'watch this space'!
November 28, 2017
Most informative book I have found as yet on me/cfs and it is encouraging to see a doctor that is working for these people to find causes.
November 11, 2020
It didn’t work, I’m still sick, so can’t give it anymore than 3 stars
February 8, 2019
Amazing amount of practical, actionable information for anyone suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. A must read for anyone with CFS.
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