Recovery Stories: Paul Barber

I was diagnosed with ME in 2008 aged 43 but looking back I can identify symptoms as far back as childhood. Symptoms were very obviously magnified at times of stress so exams, for example, made matters worse and in particular I would have digestive problems, back pain, anxiety and tiredness. I had regular Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Food Intolerance Tests and Holistic Treatments. I also had invasive examinations for digestive problems and countless other medical tests.

Then over a two-year period I went through a divorce, a new partner and family, moved house twice, changed job, changed the staff and moved the office. One of those would be enough to cause stress but all together meant my health deteriorated so quickly, it felt as if I was hurtling over a cliff.

At night I couldn't sleep, during the day I was exhausted, particularly behind the wheel of a car! I carried on working as much as I could but despite being the boss, most days I worked from home and if I did go into the office it would be for a couple of hours at most to give me a chance of being able to drive home.

Life was work for a few hours then crawl into bed with exhaustion. I hardly saw my Partner Sharon or family. Fortunately, work was very understanding and Sharon superb.

Holistic treatment helped slow the decline but there were constant setbacks. Then a client sent me a cutting from the Mail about the Lightning Process. I did some research and this year aged 45 I attended a Lightning Process course with Helen James in Bury.

I went into the course optimistic, determined to be successful. To prove it to myself I filled my diary for the week after the course in anticipation of returning to work full time.

On the first day of the course I kept on the go for 11 hours solid. Day 2, after finishing the course I went jogging for the first time in 2 years and completed the circuit round my new home in world record time (world record for me anyway). After day 3 I launched into the DIY jobs I had not been able to do.

Then on Monday, I returned to work full time and completed all the meetings in my bulging diary that week, much to the amazement of Sharon and my staff.

I have enjoyed more energy than I have for years, I am able to eat most things, which I couldn't before, and there have been physical changes too. I have fewer headaches, my snoring has gone (hurray says Sharon) and my hair is growing back thicker and less grey! I have taken control of my body.

Things are not perfect yet. My sleep is still erratic I still have hot sweats and I have put on weight. Recently I began to struggle again, linked to stress but a visit to Helen James helped to put me back on track.

The Lightning Process and Helen James, have shown me that I can control my body and that I can look forward to a much more productive and enjoyable future.

Thank you.