Thanks to every one who replied to my post!! In response to some of your questions here are some of my answers: My location is varied, I'm originally from Tipperary, spent 5 years in Cork in college and this year I'm studying medical physics in NUI Galway. I try to get home every second weekend cos (a) it's good to see the parents & extended family and ( my parents know that when I'm tired, it's time to leave me alone to rest. Unfortunately my friends in Galway are still new and getting used to my bizarre list of symptoms. It's hard for them to understand that when I have a few good days I go all mad & actually see them all week in college and at the weekly seisuin (class get-together). They think I'm normal & then another day my legs go all wobbly & the world goes grey & they don't see me for a few days or when they do, they see me nibbling salt & drinking pints of water. I love the fact that people here know what that feels like. As for compression hose I'm seriously considering them especially since so many posters have good things to say about them. As my life stands (pardon the pun!) at the mo, I'm fairly flexible with college and I can take life at my own pace most days. I worry about the future and coping with a job but that's at least 6 months away and I have a few doctor's appointments between then and now. DancingLight: Thanks for the info regarding Kathy Ireland. Persephone: Thanks for the details you gave me - I look forward to doing a bit of research! Hope everyone is doing ok & thanks again! CJ.