This German study suggested that an infectious onset to chronic fatigue syndrome may tilt the immune system to autoimmunty, while a non-infectious onset may till the immune system to inflammation.
Fibromyalgia studies suggest both the pain and problems thinking they experience may be caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Introduction Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common, severe condition affecting 0.2 to 0.4 per cent of the population. Even so, no recent international EQ-5D based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) estimates exist for ME/CFS patients. The main purpose of this study was to estimate HRQoL scores using the EQ-5D-3L with Danish time trade-off tariffs. Secondary, the aims were to explore whether the results are not influenced by other conditions using regression, to compare the estimates to 20 other conditions and finally to present ME/CFS patient characteristics for use in clinical practice. Material and methods All members of the Danish ME/CFS Patient Association in 2013 (n=319) were asked to fill out a questionnaire including the EQ-5D-3L. From these, 105 ME/CFS patients were identified and gave valid responses. Unadjusted EQ-5D-3L means were calculated and compared to the population mean as well as to the mean of 20 other conditions. Furthermore, adjusted estimates were calculated using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, adjusting for gender, age, education, and co-morbidity of 18 self-reported conditions. Data from the North Denmark Health Profile 2010 was used as population reference in the regression analysis (n=23,392). Results The unadjusted EQ-5D-3L mean of ME/CFS was 0.47 [0.41–0.53] compared to a population mean of 0.85 [0.84–0.86]. The OLS regression estimated a disutility of -0.29 [-0.21;-0.34] for ME/CFS patients in this study. The characteristics of ME/CFS patients are different from the population with respect to gender, relationship, employment etc. Conclusion The EQ-5D-3L-based HRQoL of ME/CFS is significantly lower than the population mean and the lowest of all the compared conditions. The adjusted analysis confirms that poor HRQoL of ME/CFS is distinctly different from and not a proxy of the other included conditions. However, further studies are needed to exclude the possible selection bias of the current study.
The fight/flight part of the autonomic nervous system has been shown to be ramped up. Two recent studies, suggest, though, that entire ANS may be messed up.
“If you look anecdotally, there is no question that there are a considerable number of individuals who have a post-viral syndrome that in many respects incapacitates them for weeks and weeks following so-called recovery. They report symptoms such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating and fatigue that resemble the symptoms of […]
Dr. Ian Lipkin talks about ME/CFS research, the gut, crowdsourcing, NIH and CDC leadership and the need for Congressional action to get funding
Chalk up another one to a dysfunctional immune system – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Researchers recently proved (for the first time), that the condition is not psychosomatic (yeah, thanks for calling us hypochondriacs all these years). This wasn’t news to some: according to NHS funded researcher Dr. Theoharides, CFS is one of many mast cell linked […]
The solveCFS webinar series on methylation, post-exertional malaise, decoding the immune system and unique science begins
Since February, Health Rising has described the development of a new drug produced for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) by a small pharmaceutical company named Cortene in three blogs: The Cortene Way: New Drug to Be Trialed in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Soon – Pt. I Cortene II: A New Drug […]
Kyle McNease reports on his recovery from a severe case of ME/CFS which was triggered by heavy metal poisoning and which resulted in infections, hormonal imbalances, POTS, etc.
Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick, struggled with the isolation that came with a chronic illness diagnosis. But her study of Buddhism taught her how to embrace a new life rather than dwell on her old one.
If research indicates neuroinflammation is present in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromaylgia the kynurenine pathway will get a close look
( In this article Amber, a former biologist, explains the ins and out of one the most difficult to understand but important tests done in ME/CFS – maximal cardiopulmonary exercise CPET) testing. In doing so she’s produced a document that both patients and doctors can benefit from (and provides a copy […]
Craniocervical Instability, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, CCI, ME/CFS
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is one of the most perplexing conditions out there.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released their report regarding a new name (i.e., systemic exertion intolerance disease) and case definition for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In brief, the IOM proposed that at least four symptoms needed to be present to be included in this new case definition
The unsolved mystery of one of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is to be probed by US health and medical bodies. Their aim is find the cause of the disease suffered by more than a million Americans; and to identify accurate diagnosis and effective treatment that will help them get […]
Chronic Illness Pacing - What Is It? For anyone with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or any other chronic illness which leaves you with fatigue as
Chronic fatigue syndrome victims and their families not only struggle with a debilitating and complicated illness, but also face the indignity of a perception of laziness, when in reality, the ailment affects organs and body systems.
What it is, how to test for it and treatment anecdotes
Because it's not a "vacation."
Chronic fatigue syndrome victims and their families not only struggle with a debilitating and complicated illness, but also face the indignity of a perception of laziness, when in reality, the ailment affects organs and body systems.
The age 21 was the peak of my life. Well, at least the peak of my energetic life. I was in the top of my class at a highly competitive design program I’d been preparing to get into since I began high school. I lived independently, had an active social life, taught a college course, and…
