SEVEN years ago Angela Glendinning caught the 'flu.

And she's still suffering.

But now it's from the debilitating disease ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A few years ago it was given the tag 'Yuppie Disease'.

Angela knows it's anything but yuppie.

The disease affects sufferers at different times of their lives and leaves them feeling constantly weak and tired.

ME is often not recognized by GPs and journeys of over 100 miles to obtain a diagnosis are not uncommon.

Part of the problem lies in the fact that ME was only recognized as a disease by the Royal Colleges of Medicine in 1996 and was not covered in training, leaving many doctors unaware of the symptoms.

A recent report by the National Task Force revealed that there are only ten places in the country where the 150,000 ME patients can go to get advice on how to deal with their problems.

None of these centres is in the North West.

Now patients in the North West have joined together in an attempt to help Health Authorities find a solution to their problems.

Angela of Astley, is the secretary of the local support group, as well as a sufferer of ME.

The disease started to affect her in 1992 after a bad bout of flu'.

The flu' lingered for an unusually long time leaving Angela feeling weak and tired.

Any form of physical activity worsened the feeling of fatigue and after 18 months she was forced to leave her managerial positions. Sshe was unable to work.

The disease has also affected Angela's social life. She cannot walk any distance.

Even a trip to the supermarket presents problems for Angela, who sometimes has to use a wheelchair.

Angela says that the disease has improved with time but there are "days when I am better than others. Some days I can't do anything."

Seemingly simple tasks like housework tire her out and she is dependent on other people - such as her husband, Neil - in ways she has never been before.

The Bury/Bolton Support Group have managed to persuade the Bury and Rochdale Health Authority to organize an educational programme for GPs so that they can learn about the disease.

The Wigan and Bolton Health Authority are beginning to show an interest in this programme and it is hoped that there will soon be facilities in the area for ME patients to seek advice.

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