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To M.E. or not to M.E. is a
support group for those
surviving Myalgic
Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. Join us today for
companionship, support,
information and a lot of fun!
To explore a little before
joining please check out the
pages here. You'll find
the links to the left on the
sidebar.
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What Exactly Is
M.E.?
© 2007 Theresa
Lorraine
Copying permitted if
all material is kept
together and
authorship
acknowledged.
* Myalgic
Encephalopathy (ME)
* Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome (CFS)
* Post-Viral Fatigue
Syndrome (PVFS)
* Chronic Fatigue
Immune Dysfunction
Syndrome (CFIDS)
are all names for a
condition (or
conditions) of
uncertain cause(s)
affecting many
thousands of people.
All types of people
at all ages are
affected. Severe and
debilitating
fatigue, painful
muscles and joints,
disordered sleep,
gastric
disturbances, poor
memory and
concentration are
commonplace. In many
cases, onset is
linked to a viral
infection. Other
triggers may include
an operation or an
accident, although
some people
experience a slow,
insidious onset.
CFS and ME are also
classified by the
World Health
Organisation as
neurological
disorders.
It is estimated that
between 0.2% and
0.4% of the
population have
ME/CFS.
The main features
are an overwhelming
feeling of fatigue
that follows any
form of physical
exertion along with
problems involving
memory and
concentration.
Other common
symptoms include:
* muscle pain and/or
twitching
* joint pain but
without swelling or
tenderness
* on-going flu-like
feelings
* headaches which
may be migrainous in
character
* problems with
balance
* unrefreshing sleep
pattern
* sore throats
* enlarged glands
* intolerance of
temperatures
extremes
* alcohol
intolerance
* postural
hypotension (low
blood pressure)
* sensitivity to
bright light and
loud noise
Depression, which is
often related to the
debilitating effects
of ME/CFS and the
social problems it
creates, sometimes
occurs as the
illness progresses.
A large number of
other illnesses can
cause ME/CFS-like
symptoms. These
include anaemia,
coeliac disease,
liver disease,
lupus, low thyroid
function, and
multiple sclerosis.
So the initial
medical assessment
must always include
a wide range of
blood tests to
exclude other
possible causes of
persisting fatigue.
ME/CFS can also
overlap with
conditions such as
fibromyalgia
(widespread pain in
the muscles and
joints) and
irritable bowel
syndrome.
What is the
prognosis for M.E.?
This is
extremely variable.
Most people will
improve to some
degree after the
initial acute stage
- although this
often takes a
considerable period
of time and a return
to complete normal
health is unusual.
Once the illness
stabilizes the
majority follow a
fluctuating course -
which often extends
into years rather
than months - with
periods of relative
remission and
relapse.
Common causes of
relapse include
further infections,
operations, and
undue physical or
mental stress.
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