Chronic Fatigue Leaving M E Behind

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are serious, debilitating conditions that affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. ME/CFS can cause significant impairment and disability. Despite substantial efforts by researchers to better understand ME/CFS, there is no known cause or effective treatment. Diagnosing the disease remains a challenge, and patients often struggle with their illness for years before an identification is made. Some health care providers have been skeptical about the serious physiological - rather than psychological - nature of the illness. Once diagnosed, patients often complain of receiving hostility from their health care provider as well as being subjected to treatment strategies that exacerbate their symptoms. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome proposes new diagnostic clinical criteria for ME/CFS and a new term for the illness - systemic exertion intolerance disease(SEID). According to this report, the term myalgic encephalomyelitis does not accurately describe this illness, and the term chronic fatigue syndrome can result in trivialization and stigmatization for patients afflicted with this illness. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stresses that SEID is a medical - not a psychiatric or psychological - illness. This report lists the major symptoms of SEID and recommends a diagnostic process.One of the report's most important conclusions is that a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted work-up are necessary and often sufficient for diagnosis. The new criteria will allow a large percentage of undiagnosed patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be a valuable resource to promote the prompt diagnosis of patients with this complex, multisystem, and often devastating disorder; enhance public understanding; and provide a firm foundation for future improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

This book provides a helpful structure and framework for understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and its effects as well as practical exercises to help address some of the symptoms that patients may experience.

Sandy Shaw presents a collection of resources on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The resources include definitions, abstracts, and links to support groups, archives, publications, government agencies, universities, and more.

Newly Diagnosed? Long Time Sufferer? You are NOT alone! You CAN change your life and REVERSE this highly frustrating, emotionally confusing, very often unrecognized invisible illness. Too many fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome patients find themselves suffering in pain, depressed, and alone. Abandoned and misunderstood by their families, the medical community, and society in general, they retreat to their medicine cabinets full of prescription drugs and supplementsmere bandagesthat wont reverse their condition. Chantals story removes the bandages and offers these patients real hope and help. Part memoir/part self-help, Chantal chronicles the steps she took to reclaim her life while following the Guaifenesin Treatment Protocol. Join Chantal in her journey. A must-read, Chantals book will bring you HOPE, INSIGHTFUL tips and POSITIVE results. Th is AMAZING book has changed my Fibromyalgia life. Kris Bruinsma, FMS survivor I am so proud to read this book written by my friend, Chantal. Her articles have graced many publications including my own and I am thrilled that she has taken the time to make her story public. I know firsthand the power of shared experiences on recovery and know her book will make a difference to so many. Claudia Marek, co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Fibromyalgia Th is is a story of hope and determination written by an individual who has been a patient in my integrative medical practice for the past eight years. She is an outspoken advocate and our resident expert in the protocol of R. Paul St. Amand, MD. She has graced us with her knowledge and exuberant energy at our clinics monthly fibromyalgia support group meetings. She is the consummate teacher and is always available to help our other fibromyalgia patients working through the subtleties of the Guaifenesin Protocol. A must-read for anyone lost in the abyss of fibromyalgia with seemingly no apparent way out." Thaddeus P. Srutwa, MD, Spring Lake, MI

"Toby's story is not just an inspiration, it is a 'how to' guide for overcoming CFS. Together with founding the CFS Health Centre, he hopes this book will spread the word of what he learnt during his battle and what steps fellow sufferers can take to get their lives back."--P. [4] of cover.

The onset can be fast and shocking or slow and insidious. It can happen to anyone at any age. A flu, a vaccination, or an infection can be the innocent beginnings to the potentially life-long and disabling illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is more commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or ME/CFS in North America. In the mid 1980s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was called in by concerned doctors who were witnessing an influx of patients with a mysterious illness. Eventually the CDC labeled the condition “chronic fatigue syndrome” which turned out to be very misleading. Decades later, in 2016, health agencies are finally beginning to agree with international experts that ME/CFS is a serious, chronic, multi-system illness. Through artwork, poetry, story-telling, and meticulous research, Lighting Up a Hidden World: CFS and ME takes readers into the fascinating, yet frightening, landscape of ME/CFS. Author Valerie Free shares her personal experiences and delivers illuminating first-hand perspectives from patients, caregivers, journalists, and medical professionals from within the global community in short easy-to-read segments. These stories reveal the disgrace, controversy, and tragedy of worldwide neglect by political and health care systems, leaving ME/CFS research underfunded and millions of people marginalized, sick, and socially unsupported. Lighting Up a Hidden World: CFS and ME advocates for those too ill to speak out, abounds with patient resources, and offers realistic hope for the future. People living with this illness, along with their family and friends, will find compassion and camaraderie in its pages. This book reaches beyond the ME/CFS community exposing the themes of human suffering, resilience, and the need for social change.

"Original edition published in 2017 by Hammersmith Books, London, United Kingdom"--T.p. verso.