Martine McCutcheon admits she's 'feeling c***py' as she shares her health diagnosis with fans
Martine McCutcheon has admitted she's 'feeling c***py' after being diagnosed with a bout of laryngitis.
The former EastEnders star, 47, shared her latest health woes with her followers, before revealing the 'ritual' she's relied on for 'decades' to lift her spirits.
In a post on her Instagram Stories, Martine said: 'If you ever feel cr**py (like I do right now - oh laryngitis, you're just the best!) I highly recommend the following ritual - I have been doing this for decades and I swear it will lift your mood.
'Run a hot, bubble bath, light some beautiful candles, play your favourite music for your current mood and then put on some lipstick and the biggest f*** off pair of chandelier earrings you can find!
'Sink in the bath, holding a champagne or wine glass (whatever feels fabulous to you) and pour something deliciously chilled to drink and then just stop, take a lovely deep breath. And exhale. Repeat a few times. Let it all go. Elizabeth Taylor eat your heart out.'
Martine McCutcheon has admitted she's 'feeling c***py' after being diagnosed with a bout of laryngitis, as she shared the 'ritual' she uses to lift her spirits for decades
Laryngitis occurs when the voice box or vocal cords in the throat become irritated or swollen, and typically goes away by itself within 1 to 2 weeks.
Methods to reduce symptoms include speaking as little as possible, drinking plenty of fluids and not smoking.
Martine has also previously shared her struggles with chronic fatigue syndrome ME after being diagnosed back in 2011.
The actress previously revealed she was hospitalised for husband Jack McManus' birthday last year, after she was left 'feeling dizzy and could barely stand'.
Showing off her tan from her recent Marbella trip, she explained how grateful she was and explained how debilitating the condition can be.
Alongside the photos Martine wrote: 'Aaaaah I just found some more birthday spam! Oh what a difference a tan makes! We look so well!
'Thank you Mallorca, because it certainly doesn’t seem like August here in Blighty does it?! I wanted to share these as my husband's 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!
The actress had previously shared her struggles with chronic fatigue syndrome ME after being diagnosed back in 2011
'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.
'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.
'Don’t get me wrong I slept like a log after but it was SO worth it! I wanted to share this, as people only see snippets on insta and life isn’t all fun and games… But I’m not going to wait till things are perfect to live and love my life. Grab what you can! Glad this birthday was better baby love you @jackmcmanus.'
Despite the Echo Beach star appearing to be happy and relaxed, she told her followers that she had in fact suffered a flare up of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
She penned: 'Mallorca life. Love it. Had a big flare up of my CFS lately and the travel was tough but waking up in the sunshine, feeling the hot heat soothe your aches and pains along with a warm gentle warm breeze is just heaven!'
Later that day she told her followers that all the travelling and walking had made her legs feel like she was lifting a ton of weights.
She added that she was 'shuffling along slowly' taking her time time and that swimming in the pool was relieving for her joints and muscles.
Her followers flooded to her comment section, with many thanking her for speaking out on the issue.
The actress previously revealed she was hospitalised for husband Jack McManus' birthday last year, after she was left 'feeling dizzy and could barely stand'
One wrote: 'Please keep spreading awareness….invisible illnesses mean the simple things like walking can feel like climbing a mountain with ton weights as you say….it's not easy and admire you for being able to be a parent.'
A second said: 'I love how you talk about ME/CFS on your page. It really does help with awareness so thank you so much for that. Also, enjoy your holiday'.
A third called her an inspiration saying: 'How honest you are and how real you make the condition I feel listened to.'
At the time of her diagnosis, Martine told The Sun on Sunday: 'I want to give hope to ME sufferers, even people who don't know what they have got. I want them to know that they are not going mad and that they can get better. You can live a normal and good life again.'
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms.
The most common symptom is extreme tiredness, others include problems sleeping, such as waking up often during the night and difficulty with memory and concentration.
Source: NHS