ME/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.

It is now thought 60% of those with M.E. are woman and 40% of men. Research done throughout the world in China, Japan, India, America etc also shows about 2-4 per 1000 people get ME/CFS.

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, coeliacs disease, depression, lupus, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, or "just stress" can cause similar symptoms.

ME/CFS is known by many other names including Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS), Tapanui Flu, and Yuppy Flu.

SYMPTOMS

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 90% of people recover after a month. 9% recover after 6 months and the other 1% can remain chronically unwell for a long time. M.E. 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 M.E. is individualized. It is often busy achieving people who get ME/CFS. Research indicates that at least 8 subgroups of genes are activated in association with the illness, indicating a genetic vulnerability.

Diagnosis Research is continually progressing adding to our understanding of the underlying causes of the syndrome. Changes have been shown in the immune, neurological and endocrine systems and it is thought that a complex altered interaction occurring within these systems results in the illness. These is however no specific diagnostic test although throughout the world it is at least now accepted as a serious physical illness which may have a severe impact on the life of the sufferer.

The additional burdens of further social, financial, and psychological problems can result. Diagnosis is made by a thorough history and examination, preferably by a doctor experienced in this kind of disorder. Other serious illnesses have to be ruled out, which may mean that the patient is subjected to multiple tests. It can be disappointing to be told all tests have returned normal, when a person feels and knows that they are really ill. However it is an important step in making the final diagnosis as many other medical conditions have similar symptoms such as lupus, depression, diabetes, haemochromatosis, anaemia, multiple sclerosis, hormonal disorders, AIDS etc. The diagnosis cannot be made until the symptoms have persisted for a period of at least six months.

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 themselves (low down) and reduce both physically and psychologically stressful situations or they will find symptoms may worsen under pressure. Emotional or physical stress like being very busy, an operation, new baby, etc, often trigger M.E. in 90% of people.

The degree of disability varies. Some M.E. 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.