A mother who spent nearly 17 years confined to her home due to the debilitating effects of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is now dedicating her life to assisting individuals with chronic illnesses. Helen Perks, 54, suffered a life-threatening miscarriage at 12 weeks of pregnancy, which triggered symptoms of extreme fatigue and left her unable to climb stairs.
Reflecting on her experience, Helen said: "I have never felt exhaustion like it, and I don't mean just tiredness. This was not a feeling where I just wanted to close my eyes and go to sleep, this was where all my body could strain to do was breathe. Some days even going to the toilet, which was only a few steps away, was totally exhausting."
Helen's condition deteriorated to the point where she lost her independence, career, and social life. She relied on her husband to carry her upstairs, bathe her, and act as her caregiver. She even required assistance from carers to prepare meals. Helen's journey was isolating and lonely, but as her symptoms began to subside, she knew she wanted to help others facing similar challenges.
Prior to her illness, Helen, who lives in Essex with her husband Andrew, 57, and their son James, 33, led an active lifestyle. She worked as an internal auditor for the prison service and engaged in regular exercise and socialising.
However, her health took a drastic turn in 2001 after a traumatic miscarriage that left her on the brink of death. Helen experienced fatigue, panic attacks, cognitive issues, and a rapid decline in her overall well-being.
After numerous tests and appointments, Helen was diagnosed with ME, a chronic illness characterised by extreme tiredness and cognitive difficulties. Frustratingly, because the illness is not visible, she felt that people doubted its severity.
Unable to work, Helen took a 12-month sabbatical but eventually had to resign when her symptoms persisted. She realised that she needed to make significant changes to her lifestyle to improve her condition.
Helen began by focusing on her diet, realising that her reliance on quick, processed meals was detrimental to her health. She started monitoring her nutrition, incorporating homemade smoothies into her daily routine. She also prioritized sleep and established a consistent sleep schedule.
Meditation, walking in her garden, and deep breathing exercises became part of her daily regimen. Helen made changes to her external environment as well, opting for natural scented candles instead of synthetic ones.
Over time, Helen gradually regained her strength and began to feel like herself again. Since 2017, she has been symptom-free and has not experienced a relapse.
Inspired by her own journey, Helen pursued further education in nutritional medicine, studying with the Institute of Functional Medicine. She now works as a nutritional therapist, assisting individuals with chronic fatigue, long Covid, and menopausal symptoms.
Helen takes a personalised approach to her clients' health journeys, conducting strategy calls and questionnaires to develop tailored plans. She also collaborates with their GPs, requesting tests or follow-ups when necessary.
Helen is passionate about helping others regain control of their health and believes that recovery is possible. She understands the challenges individuals face and aims to provide empathy and support throughout their healing process.
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