Chronic Fatigue and M.E
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is sometimes also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS)
Within the NHS it is commonly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), whereas sufferers tend to refer it as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Within the NHS it is commonly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), whereas sufferers tend to refer it as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Chronic fatigue syndrome or ME?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) this is the medical term doctors prefer to use as they believe fatigue is the main symptom that the patient is affected by. Additionally, they there is limited evidence to suggest that there is inflammation with the brain or spinal cord which is a symptom of M.E. As a result many doctors prefer the term CFS over M.E as they believe M.E is too specific of a condition to cover the variety of symptoms that co occur with CFS.
ME on the other hand is the term sufferers tend to prefer to use to describe their affliction. Many sufferers feel ‘fatigue’ is too general, and not reflective of the other symptoms that they experience.
ME on the other hand is the term sufferers tend to prefer to use to describe their affliction. Many sufferers feel ‘fatigue’ is too general, and not reflective of the other symptoms that they experience.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes long-term persistent tiredness (fatigue) that affects everyday life. It does not go away with sleep or rest and is more than just everyday tiredness. Some symptoms of CFS may include feeling exhausted even after sleep and having rest, poor memory and difficulty concentrating, muscle and joint pains, stomach pains and digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea and nausea, sleeping problems, such as insomnia and disturbed sleep, sensitivity or intolerance to light, loud noise, alcohol and certain foods.
CFS can vary in severity with some cases being mild whereas others can be extremely severe.
Mild – may disrupt life occasionally, with sufferer needing a few days off to rest
Moderate – sufferers may have reduced mobility and disturbed sleep patterns
Severe – sufferers may need help to carry out everyday tasks, and a wheel chair may be needed due to exhaustion and extreme fatigue. Concentration levels may falter and sufferers may feel drained and depleted of all energy both physically and mentally. In some cases sufferers even become bed bound
CFS can vary in severity with some cases being mild whereas others can be extremely severe.
Mild – may disrupt life occasionally, with sufferer needing a few days off to rest
Moderate – sufferers may have reduced mobility and disturbed sleep patterns
Severe – sufferers may need help to carry out everyday tasks, and a wheel chair may be needed due to exhaustion and extreme fatigue. Concentration levels may falter and sufferers may feel drained and depleted of all energy both physically and mentally. In some cases sufferers even become bed bound
M.E
M.E. is a long-term (chronic) fluctuating condition that causes symptoms affecting most commonly the nervous and immune system. Sufferers experience constant fatigue or pain in addition to a number of other symptoms such as:
Extreme and persistent tiredness/fatigue which does not improve with rest, feeling generally unwell, experiencing flu-like symptoms (often referred to as “general malaise” by doctors) aching muscles or joints, twitching muscles or cramps, nerve pains or pins and needles, headache or migraine, abdominal pain (stomach or bowel problems), disturbed sleeping patterns, reduced attention span, short-term memory problems, low concentration, increased anxiety, low mood, depression, mood swings, poor temperature control, dizziness spells, hyper-sensitivity to light and sound, loss of balance, nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, wind/bloating, cramps, diarrhoea and constipation.
ME can vary in severity:
Mild – everyday tasks may become difficult and may need frequent rests to cope.
Moderate – mobility may be affected and everyday life may become significantly affected and disrupted. Energy levels may rise and fall and sufferers may need longer periods of rest to manage.
Severe – sufferers may find it almost impossible to carry out day to day tasks, even things that may appear simple – like washing, eating, cleaning etc. Sufferers may become house or bed bound and may have to depend on a wheel chair to get around.
Extreme and persistent tiredness/fatigue which does not improve with rest, feeling generally unwell, experiencing flu-like symptoms (often referred to as “general malaise” by doctors) aching muscles or joints, twitching muscles or cramps, nerve pains or pins and needles, headache or migraine, abdominal pain (stomach or bowel problems), disturbed sleeping patterns, reduced attention span, short-term memory problems, low concentration, increased anxiety, low mood, depression, mood swings, poor temperature control, dizziness spells, hyper-sensitivity to light and sound, loss of balance, nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, wind/bloating, cramps, diarrhoea and constipation.
ME can vary in severity:
Mild – everyday tasks may become difficult and may need frequent rests to cope.
Moderate – mobility may be affected and everyday life may become significantly affected and disrupted. Energy levels may rise and fall and sufferers may need longer periods of rest to manage.
Severe – sufferers may find it almost impossible to carry out day to day tasks, even things that may appear simple – like washing, eating, cleaning etc. Sufferers may become house or bed bound and may have to depend on a wheel chair to get around.
Treatment for CFS and ME
No one knows what causes CFS, nor is there a specific cure. It is likely that CFS is caused by a combination of a physical and psychological factors. However there are a lot of ways in which the condition can be improved and a better quality of life achieved. Many people improve over time and are able to resume normality for themselves. Sadly, in some cases people may have relapses or remain housebound
Personal stories
Esther Rantzen
Esther Rantzen is a well known journalist and TV presenter and advocate for several charities, raising awareness of good causes and making a difference. She is founder of the child protection charity Child line and also advocates for the Burma Campaign UK. Esther is also the Vice President of the National ME Centre and this charity is particularly close to her heart as her own daughter Emily was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 1995. Esther has first hand experience of what a devastating effect this illness has not just on the patient, but on the whole family. Conscious that there was not much support for people with this condition, Esther now heads the National ME Centre and provides the much needed support that ME sufferers and carers so need. To find out more see www.nmec.org.uk
Emily Wilcox (Esther’s daughter) also works to raise awareness of ME and shared her story in a newspaper report by the Daily Mail.
Emily was diagnosed with ME at the age of 17 in 1995. She describes her condition as a “illness that robs sufferers of years of active life.” Her condition deteriorated so severely that she became wheelchair bound, eventually ending up completely bed bound. Emily says “with an estimated 150,000 sufferers in the country, I hoped that by telling my story I could demonstrate that the illness was real” Many people may think sufferers of ME/CFS just get tired easily, but it is more than that –it can be a extremely debilitating condition. In 1998 Emily’s condition became so extreme that she was “hospitalised, unable to get out of bed, sit up or hold a book.” Fortunately for Emily, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise enabled her to regain her health and strength and says “ I have tried both and they contributed to my recovery. But patients must be careful because the treatments can make them worse” Emily’s experience with ME highlights how devastating this condition can be – yet it also gives hope to other sufferers that health can be restored.
To read more see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-79042/ME-woman-cure-works-her.html#ixzz1RQhBcr7d
Contact the Association Of Young People With ME, tel: 01908 373
Emily Wilcox (Esther’s daughter) also works to raise awareness of ME and shared her story in a newspaper report by the Daily Mail.
Emily was diagnosed with ME at the age of 17 in 1995. She describes her condition as a “illness that robs sufferers of years of active life.” Her condition deteriorated so severely that she became wheelchair bound, eventually ending up completely bed bound. Emily says “with an estimated 150,000 sufferers in the country, I hoped that by telling my story I could demonstrate that the illness was real” Many people may think sufferers of ME/CFS just get tired easily, but it is more than that –it can be a extremely debilitating condition. In 1998 Emily’s condition became so extreme that she was “hospitalised, unable to get out of bed, sit up or hold a book.” Fortunately for Emily, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise enabled her to regain her health and strength and says “ I have tried both and they contributed to my recovery. But patients must be careful because the treatments can make them worse” Emily’s experience with ME highlights how devastating this condition can be – yet it also gives hope to other sufferers that health can be restored.
To read more see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-79042/ME-woman-cure-works-her.html#ixzz1RQhBcr7d
Contact the Association Of Young People With ME, tel: 01908 373
Help for CFS
Medication
Medication may also be beneficial. Suffers can discuss with their GP which treatment would be best for their individual needs as symptoms may vary form person to person. Painkillers may help with joint and muscular pain, antidepressants can be helpful for low mood and sleeping aids can be beneficial for insomnia which are all some of the common symptoms often associated with CFS. Pain management clinics can also prove to be beneficial for helping sufferers deal with managing chronic pain and achieving a better quality of life. There are many of these centre’s in the UK, with the majority located in hospitals.
Pacing
Pacing involves balancing periods of activity with periods of rest. This will enable energy to be used and replenished more effectively, thus improving the symptoms of CFS. Over time, periods of activity can be increased as energy levels begin to rise.
Graded exercise therapy (GET)
Graded exercise therapy (GET) is a programme which aims to gradually increase energy levels through exercise. Aerobic activities such as swimming, walking, rowing etc are used to build up stamina and give the sufferer higher energy levels. GET should be carried out by a trained specialist with experience in CFS as if not monitored properly, the sufferers condition can be made worse.
Support Groups
Connecting with other people with CFS can help sufferers not to feel alone or isolated and to provide them with a valuable support network. Action for M.E is a charity who provide support for sufferers and carers. For more information have a look at their website on www.actionforme.org.uk
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to change the way that you think, feel and behave. Some CBT therapists will have experience with dealing with this condition and treatment can include helping sufferers to…
- Accept, understand and learn more about their diagnosis and condition
- challenge any thoughts or behaviors that could prevent your symptoms improving
- increase a sense of control and empowerment over symptoms and the condition
- Accept, understand and learn more about their diagnosis and condition
- challenge any thoughts or behaviors that could prevent your symptoms improving
- increase a sense of control and empowerment over symptoms and the condition
Chronic fatigue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_chronic_fatigue_syndrome
In 1992, Cher took some time off from her career and it was widely reported that the virus was responsible. “My experience was it was really a physical illness but it does make you depressed as well,” she told the BBC. “It’s a virus you have it’s called Epstein Barr virus and the disease it gives you is chronic fatigue.” “Boy, it was devastating for me…I wasn’t able to work for almost three years,” the singer added.[7]
At the age of 15 Marie Currie suffered from a what has been described as fatigue or exhaustion or nervous troubles, after graduating with honours, and as Valedictorian of her class, from high school. The illness left her feeling extremely lethargic and she spent a year recuperating in the Polish countryside.[
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_chronic_fatigue_syndrome
In 1992, Cher took some time off from her career and it was widely reported that the virus was responsible. “My experience was it was really a physical illness but it does make you depressed as well,” she told the BBC. “It’s a virus you have it’s called Epstein Barr virus and the disease it gives you is chronic fatigue.” “Boy, it was devastating for me…I wasn’t able to work for almost three years,” the singer added.[7]
At the age of 15 Marie Currie suffered from a what has been described as fatigue or exhaustion or nervous troubles, after graduating with honours, and as Valedictorian of her class, from high school. The illness left her feeling extremely lethargic and she spent a year recuperating in the Polish countryside.[
More Information
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Chronic-fatigue-syndrome
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/chronicfatigue1.shtml
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/chronicfatigue1.shtml
http://www.actionforme.org.uk/
http://www.meassociation.org.uk/