01 February 2024 , 20:39
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Martine McCutcheon has urged people to "keep on talking" as she opened up on a hidden health battle.
The EastEnders star took to her social media where she reflected on the "physical and emotional trauma" of having Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). She has opened up on her own experiences with CFS, which is a long-term condition Martine has been struggling with for the last decade.
It leaves people feeling extremely tired and includes symptoms like having problems sleeping and thinking, taking a long time to recover from physical activities, headaches, joint pains and flu-like symptoms. In her latest Instagram post, Martine shared a clip of Lady Gaga and Oprah talking about the condition.
Martine was first diagnosed with ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in 2011
The actress opened up about her own experience to her followers (@martinemccutcheon/Instagram)Alongside the video, she said: "Whilst I'm so sad anyone goes through this, I'm also so relived that people with such a huge platform are talking about Fibro and CFS. It can happen to anyone with any kind of physical or emotional trauma of some kind. Millions and millions are suffering with this and M.E and are being left to live a life that is so disabling yet invisible and it can slowly destroy it.
"So many sacrifices and compromises have to be made and eventually it will of course affect your work, relationships and mental health. Keep on taking!!!!! Thank you @ladygaga @oprah." Last year Martine opened up on her rush to hospital on her husband Jack McManus' birthday after being left so dizzy she couldn't stand up.
Martine McCutcheon stuns while out on a flower run in simple yet chic style
She took to Instagram and wrote: "I wanted to share these as my husbands birthday was kind of an extra big deal for me this year - Last year was terrible. I was so dizzy I could barely stand, I had been in hospital with my CFS and to say Jack held the fort is an understatement.
"His birthday was pretty rubbish, so I’m SO grateful and glad we got to enjoy this one… And that we got to see some friends! I’ve missed them so much! I don’t know about you but I have to plan things pretty last minute as I don’t know how my symptoms will be and I hate letting people down - We all live all over the uk too…"
Martine continued: "So now, I only surround myself with people who understand that if I need to cancel something (& that can happen often) it’s not a choice I want to make and that they go ahead and book something and if they see me rocking up, it’s a bonus! I also ask my friends to google CFS /fibro symptoms.
"If they love you, it’s the least they can do! Understanding helps with support. So thank you to our friends who came with a few hours notice! I forgot my sensory ear plugs Dammit! They are amazing if you are dealing with sensory overload or feel or feel like everyone is shouting (which is often the case with CFS and fibro etc…) But I just keep grinning that we did it." Martine was first diagnosed with ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in 2011.