"Why have I not been diagnosed for M.E.?"

I had repeated respiratory infections - at least one per month - over a period of about 18 months and was treated with antibiotics for almost all of them. I developed problems with my bowels due, I felt, to the repeated use of antibiotics and steroids for the asthma.

I also took whooping cough which I had for months before it was diagnosed and previously to this, I had shingles which recurred twice within a matter of weeks and only were diagnosed after I visited 2 dentists on 2 days back to back with a swollen jaw and inflamed nerve endings in my mouth.

I discussed the fact that I was heavily reliant upon antibiotics with my GP and asked why I was never improving as regards my immune system. They said that they did not know and I asked to be referred to a specialist.

They replied that they wasn't sure who to send me to because they did not know what was wrong with me so I asked to see an immunologist as a starting point. My GP explained that this was a very select service because there were so few immunologists and that they wouldn't want to see me when there was no underlying condition affecting my immune system.

They made the referral at my insistence but then told me that the immunologist had not wanted to see me.

I then asked if I could be sent to the Homeopathic Hospital at Gartnavel but was told that I wouldn't get a referral out of the region - which was the case.

However, on then accessing my file, I saw that my GP had written a letter to the Consultant immunologist stating that I have probably had M. E. since 1998 and then later, when I queried why I could not see the immunologist, they had written another letter to the NHS Board Chief Executive and mentioned that I am a Traveller and quite politically active. 

At the time, I did not do anything about this because, being fairly politically active, I feel like I have seen this type of ignorance about Gypsy Travellers across all sectors of the NHS and indeed across all of the services. I also felt that the use of the phrase 'Traveller' was not pejorative but rather due to misinformation about the culture.

However, what I am now perplexed about is how the same practice can diagnose M. E. for someone else in the village and how my brother' s practice, only 14 miles away, can in the same NHS region diagnose M. E. for him.

Add to that, the fact that my sister accessed her medical files right back to the 1980's and our then GP had written that they feared that there was a cluster outbreak of M. E within my family.

I am now wondering whether or not there is any reason why my GP featured upon my ethnicity and political activities; given that they seem to be able to diagnose this condition for one patient but not me.

I would point out that I provide care for a family member and lift heavy pots, bags and do shopping for another member when I go to the shops..

As well as asthma, diabetes and a thyroid condition, I also suffer from diverticulitis and costa chondritis.

I developed most of those conditions (with the exception of asthma) all around the same time - or at least in quick succession.

This is partly why I queried whether or not there is an underlying condition and on researching M. E. there seems to be literature to suggest that it can affect the various glands; which have all been affected one way or another.

I am also lead to believe that the condition is officially recognised by WHO.

Can anyone suggest the best way forward; as I would like to know for sure if I do have M. E. ?