A Fibromyalgia Cancer Connection?

Posted by Cort Johnson Whittemore -Peterson Neuro- Immune Institute researchers have uncovered a possible cancer subset in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) (See The Hit of the Conference: IACFS/ME Conference II).  In this guest blog Yvonne Kenney, the founder of the Fibromyalgia Coalition International, reports on some preliminary evidence suggesting that the cancer problem may not be limited to ME/CFS.  More

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Annette Whittemore’s Next Big (BIG) Project

Posted by Cort Johnson Annette and Harvey Whittemore pulled off something of a miracle when they convinced the state of Nevada to help them build the first chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) research, treatment and eductation facility in the world. The medical establishment, after all,  has been almost as hostile to ME/CFS patients as the disease itself.  The Whittemore-Peterson Neuro-immune Institute

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Kim McCleary On the CDC’s Five Year Plan

Posted by Cort Johnson “I was sitting there yesterday (during the CDC presentation) feeling like my head was going to blow off my shoulders” The CFID’s Association of America has been leading the way on the CDC review. Kim McCleary sits through every CFSAC meeting – not an easy task in that often mostly empty room – and takes notes.

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The Big Breakthrough (!)(?)

Posted by Cort Johnson Some bloggers have jumped all over the announcement by Dr. De Meirleir that an important cause of ME/CFS has been found. This is, they say, the ‘big breakthrough’. But is it? With just the abstract in hand let’s take a look at what little we know. The Announcement – Dr. De Meirleir has been in this business

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Dr. Reeves at the CFSAC: Too Little Too Late?

Posted by Cort Johnson Dr. Reeves produced the five year plan for the CDC’s CFS research team.  He was in his element.  He seemed sincere and open; patients think of him as something of an ogre but you’d never get sight of that in his presentations.  Kim McCleary later noted that he’s a master at the art of presentation.  But one suspects

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IACFS: MIA or A Force? – The CDC Review

Posted by Cort Johnson The patient community and the CFIDs Association of America showed up for the comment session on the CDC’s CFS research effort but the research community didn’t. Except for Staci Stevens and Dr. Klimas and a brief statement on behalf of the IACFS/ME no other researchers spoke. Time for the IACFS/ME To Step Up – The review

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Systemic Change Needed: CAA Hits CDC Again

Posted by Cort Johnson “The CDC’s CFS research group has lost it’s mojo” Kim McCleary Patient anger towards the CDC’s CFS research effort has been high for many years and the patient comments provided many heartfelt and cogent critiques of the group at the public comments meeting but the CFID’s Association of America is in a different position. For one,

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Patients Blast the CDC

Posted by Cort Johnson The public review session on Monday in Atlanta was part of the CDC’s ten-year review of the program. Thus far the research program has received several internal reviews and an external review and is now in the process of creating a Five-Year Strategic Plan. The public review session Atlanta was focused on suggestions regarding the CDC’s

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Dr. Cheney Goes His Own Way: the Virginia 2009 Lecture

Posted by Cort Johnson Dr. Cheney gave a lecture on ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) on April 25th, courtesy of the Northern Virginia CFS/ME/FM and OI Support group. According to a report of the talk posted by Chris on CFSFMExperimental Yahoogroup on April 27th, Dr. Cheney, a creative physician and provocative speaker, did not disappoint. In a three hour non-stop, often

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