A Whangarei woman says she's gained her life back after receiving treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Robyn Shepherd was diagnosed with CFS, a debilitating medical condition characterised by persistent fatigue, in 2011 after suffering the effects of the condition for more than 10 years.
"Low blood pressure, low vitamin D, extreme fatigue, chronic muscle aches and joint pain, mental sluggishness, and at times a sore throat, swollen glands and a mild fever, meant that at my worst, I spent most of my day in my reclining chair," she told the Northern Advocate.
"It was like having a recurring flu bug and a hangover at the same time. Every cell in my body ached and I became extremely sensitive to noise, light, static electricity, exercise and touch.
"It was a rollercoaster ride with the symptoms worse for several months, then abating somewhat, getting worse again, then lessening, all for no apparent reason. And so it went, disrupting my work, my home life, gradually weakening me physically and taking away my confidence to commit to anything."