Mark Berry looks back on the first day of a controversial CFS Advisory Committee Meeting The CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC) provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Assistant Secretary for Health, on issues related to myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The committee meets twice a year, and the Spring 2013
ContinueMonth: May 2013
Bartonella and Cat Scratch Disease
Joel (snowathlete) continues his series on zoonotic pathogens with an introduction to Bartonelliosis Bartonella is a zoonotic that frequently infects humans causing diseases termed Bartonelliosis. Probably the most commonly known is cat scratch disease (CSD) which, you guessed it, you catch from cats (especially cute kittens). Cat scratch disease is caused by two species of Bartonella: B. henselae and B.
ContinueTaking Fatigue Seriously – An Interview with Dr. Julia Newton
This is an extended version of an article originally published on ProHealth as “An Interview With Julia Newton, Founding Member of Newly Launched CFS/ME Research Collaborative.”By Clark Ellis Dr. Julia Newton is one of the founding members of the recently launched UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative (UK CMRC), a new initiative aimed at expanding medical studies into ME/CFS by bringing together
ContinueExperts Reflect on the FDA Stakeholder Meeting
Joel asks a variety of leading doctors, researchers and patient advocates for their reflections on the FDA Drug Development Workshop. A short while ago, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a workshop for patients, doctors, and other stakeholders, to talk about drug development for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). You can read a summary of the first and
ContinueVertigo: Unwelcome Gift on My 25th Wedding Anniversary
by Jody Smith I’ll always remember my 25th wedding anniversary as being something special. I wish I could say that this was because my husband and I celebrated in some marvelous fashion, but that wasn’t it. At the age of 49, I thought I was having a stroke. I got up that morning feeling fine — or no worse than
ContinuePatients to DHHS: Fix the Broken ME/CFS Case Definitions NOW!
On May 12 – International Awareness Day for ME/CFS/FM/MCS/etc – Phoenix Rising joined with 8 other US ME/CFS patient organizations and 26 independent patient advocates to call on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to finally fix the problem of the many and diverse case definitions associated with our disease. In a letter to Secretary Sebelius, Dr Howard
ContinueFDA Drug Development Workshop: Part Two
Gabby (Nielk) continues our summary of the FDA Workshop with a look at the second half of Day One – a discussion entitled “Patients’ Perspective on Treatment Approaches” The FDA Drug Development Workshop for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) took place on the 25th and 26th of April 2013. It was well attended by patients, advocates, doctors,
ContinueInternational Awareness Day, May 12th 2013: Worldwide Protests and Events
Mark takes a look at what’s going on around the world this weekend to mark International Awareness Day May 12th is International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Awareness Day events also recognize Fibromyalgia (FM), Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), Lyme Disease, and other chronic neuro-endocrine-immune diseases (NEIDs). Awareness Week runs from May 12th-18th, and
ContinueCFSAC Spring 2013 (May 22-23): How to Participate
Jennie Spotila looks forward to the next meeting of the CFS Advisory Committee – and explains how you can participate. The spring meeting of the CFS Advisory Committee is May 22-23, and we only have a few weeks to prepare. The agenda is not available yet, but we do know about a few new things happening at the meeting. New
ContinueMEandYou and Rituximab: Dr Maria Gjerpe’s Fundraising Marathon Update
by Sasha I call Dr Maria Gjerpe’s 90-day campaign to raise money for a crucial confirmatory Rituximab trial a ‘fundraising marathon’ but that hardly covers it. It’s more like a triathlon a day for three months. Maria, previously bedridden for years with ME/CFS, has been working 12-hour days non-stop to fund the Phase III trial on the drug that has,
ContinueFDA Drug Development Workshop: Part One
by Joel (snowathlete) and Gabby (Nielk) The FDA Drug Development Workshop for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) took place last week on the 25th and 26th of April. It was well attended by patients, advocates, doctors, representatives of the CDC and even a few pharmaceutical reps. The workshop was also broadcast live over the internet, enabling many
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