A WOMAN who suffers from a debilitating illness is offering expert advice to fellow sufferers.

Lucy Murfin was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2002, at the age of 15.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which causes the sufferer to feel constant pain all over the body – Miss Murfin suffers pain in her back, knees, ankles and neck.

Since 2007 the 22-year-old has also been living with ME, a neurological condition which she says makes her physically and mentally exhausted.

However, her quality of life has improved since she decided to enrol on an NHS course which teaches sufferers how to manage their illnesses better.

The Expert Patient Programme community course she attended gives people with long-term illnesses tips on how to deal with pain and extreme tiredness, and advice on how to relax and cope with depression, Courses are also available for people with mental health problems and conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or heart disease.

Miss Murfin, who lives in Banbury, attended her first course earlier this year.

She said: “Back then I was a totally different person.

“My illness meant I had to give up my place at Oxford Brookes University and, when I was younger, I also had to leave the air cadets because of the pain in my back.

“The course taught me what I should and shouldn’t be eating and how to set myself goals, like how to breathe properly so I can sleep better.

“Now I’m so much more confident, and I believe in myself a lot more.”

After three months of training, Miss Murfin has begun teaching in three classes – including two in Banbury – for fellow sufferers.

She demonstrates breathing techniques and helps people with illnesses like hers set achievable goals for themselves.

Miss Murfin said: “I wanted to help other people become stronger and more confident in themselves, as I know from my own experience what a great feeling that is.

“If you’ve suffered from something and learned to make life better for yourself, then you are in the best place to tell others how to do the same.

“For me it was about accepting I have ME and fibromyalgia, but learning that it’s not my whole life.

“I would encourage people to find out where their nearest course is and to give it a go.”

She added: “If it improves things, even just a little bit, then it will have been worth it.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk For more details, see expertpatients.co.uk or call 0800 988 5550