Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is not chronic tiredness that we all feel from time to time. People with M.E. find their daily activity significantly reduced and show some or all of the following symptoms: Anyone who has four or more of the symptoms listed below for six months or more, may well have M.E.

If you think you are in this category, see your Doctor as many other ailments like Diabetes, Epstein Barr Virus (glandular fever), menopause, hypothyroidism, Alzheimer's disease, depression, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Aids or "just stress" can cause similar symptoms.

Many of those with Long Covid are now coming under the umbrella of ME/CFS. Prof Warren Tate's research group have found the biomarkers are very similar in ME/CFS as Long Covid. 

• Extreme exhaustion

• Weak muscles.

• Alcohol or chemical intolerances

• Stomach problems  

• Sweating

• Low Grade fever

• Muscle and joint pain

• Foggy brain

• Difficulty remembering

• Poor sleep

• Fragile emotions

• Headache

• Sore throats and swollen glands

• Vision problems

• Post exertion fatigue lasting more than 24 hours.

What Happens when you get ME/CFS?

Normally an infection activates your immune system, it rises up and you produce cytokines. These are  natural chemicals involved in the fight against the initial infection. After an infection such as glandular fever or influenza, 90% of people recover after a month. 9% recover after 6 months and the other 1% can remain chronically unwell for a long time. ME sufferers start to recover and if there is a major physical or emotional stress in their life this stirs up the cytokines and symptoms recur. The illness often goes in a wave like pattern of recovering/flare ups.

There is potential for everyone to recover eventually. Every person is different and his or her ME is individualized. It is often busy achieving people who get ME/CFS.

At this time there is no specific “curative” treatment for this illness. The current aim of treatment is to look at lifestyle changes and to relieve specific symptoms, thus enhancing a person’s chance of making a recovery. Lifestyle changes include stress management, learning to ‘pace’ oneself, maintaining a balance between rest and gentle exercise, eating sensibly and attending to sleep difficulties.

Although there is no total cure known at present, research is providing promising results!

A person with ME/CFS may find it very difficult to live a normal functional life. Advice is given to Pace oneself (Slow down) and reduce  both physically and psychologically stressful situations or symptoms may worsen under pressure. Emotional or physical stress like being very busy, an operation, work pressures etc often trigger ME in 90% of people. It is now thought 60% of those with ME are woman and 40% of men. Research done through out the world in China, Japan, India etc also shows about 2-4 per 1000 people get ME/CFS.

The degree of disability varies. Some ME sufferers can continue to perform almost normally at home and work but others find that work becomes too much to cope with and the sufferer needs to give up their job at that stage, as they need more rest to cope. There are degrees of this illness and the illness seems to go in cycles.   

There is no evidence that ME/CFS is contagious in any way.

Management of ME/CFS

1. ME/CFS often mimics the original illness e.g. if it started with food poisoning you will get gut problems. Important to put your ME in right sub category as with different causes you get different treatments.

2. Patient needs acknowledgment and support.

3. Education: Information for employer is needed. The family, the patient, the school, the employer etc all need to be educated on this illness as well for proper understanding.