Jody Smith considers how things we consider beautiful can help feed a starving soul … I spent every day for years propped up on pillows on my bed. I could see out my window to the left. My messy closet was to the right. Looking straight ahead I saw a television, a messy desk and a dresser. Then one year
Continue
Embracing Change – ME and the International Classification of Diseases
The WHO ICD featured recently in an online article (since withdrawn), which heightened patient concern over what might happen when the current ICD-10 is finally revised. N.A.Wright provides a timely summary of this international classification system, considers some of the issues surrounding the existing and proposed listing, and calls on our advocacy organisations to get involved… The World Health Organization
Continue
Dysautonomia and POTS: An Overview
Andrew Gladman considers the importance of dysautonomia and several of its component parts — neurally mediated hypotension, inappropriate sinus tachycardia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome — all recognised as problematic comorbidities by ME/CFS patients … Dysautonomia, most commonly experienced as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), is a recognised comorbidity of ME/CFS. There is little debate surrounding this and much research
Continue
Naturopathy: Happy Anniversary to Me and Dr. Upcott
It has been seven years since Jody Smith began seeing her Naturopath Doctor. Time then for a brief reflection on the extent to which a variety of interventions may have helped move Jody forwards in her own battle with ME/CFS… February, this year, marks seven years since I began seeing my naturopath, Dr. Kelly Upcott. For six and a half
Continue
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Review of ME/CFS Clinical Definition: First Open Meeting
Gabby Klein provides a useful summary of what was a very important, and quite extensive, IOM open meeting. US Government representatives, patient organizations, advocates and individual patients all made formal presentations… The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has been formally engaged by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to complete a review of diagnostic criteria and available evidence, for the
Continue
Interview: Ian Lipkin’s Million Dollar Appeal for Microbiome Study
Simon McGrath recently secured an interview with the world famous Dr Ian Lipkin – a scientist who continues to believe that ME/CFS has a physical cause – to discover more about his plans for a major study of the gut microbiome and to find out why he’s asking the patient community for its support… Dr W. Ian Lipkin has demonstrated
Continue
Blood Tests: Why Test the Blood? Dr Charles Shepherd
The Medical Advisor to the ME Association, Dr Charles Shepherd, writes about the importance of blood testing prior to receiving a diagnosis, explains what each test means including for children, and considers when new tests might be necessary… Human blood contains red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body – so a deficiency
Continue
A Year in the Life: From Vaccination Trigger to Diagnosis of ME (Part 2 of 2)
In the second and final part of Andrew Gladman’s journey, he finally receives the diagnosis that best seems to fit his symptoms, but as his health shows no sign of improving, he reluctantly decides to withdraw from his biochemistry degree and spend more time to try and reach an accommodation with his illness… “It was early November 2012 and I
Continue
CDC Multi-site Study – An interview with Beth Unger
The CDC multi-site clinical assessment of CFS/ME is now underway, and Bob took the opportunity to interview Dr Beth Unger, the lead scientist in charge. The outcomes of this significant study are likely to be widely influential and the means by which the CDC employ objective measures has become something of a hot potato, especially in relation to exercise testing…
Continue
Life on a Dead-End Street
Jody Smith considers how her life had become one of necessary isolation, and how a chance encounter with new neighbours and the possibility of having them in her home, led to feelings of fear and insecurity. Looking back she reflects on how these concerns have slowly improved and how the occasional visitor is now more welcome… I live in a cul-de-sac
Continue
International Association for CFS/ME Spring Conference 2014: Translating Science into Clinical Care
The IACFS/ME Spring Conference promises to be one of the main events of 2014, and with ‘early bird’ tickets for patients still available, Searcher provides an overview of what we can expect, as well as interviewing the IACFS/ME President, Dr Fred Friedberg, before preparing to attend the conference herself… The 11th biennial IACFS/ME conference will be held in San Francisco
Continue
Cytokines: Explaining what they are and how they might relate to ME/CFS
Andrew Gladman takes a brief look at what cytokines are and how they might relate to our disease – exploring some of the research that is indicating their involvement in disease pathways… In recent years ME/CFS research has turned the spotlight on several areas, such as autoimmunity, the cardiovascular system and the autonomic nervous system. While it is fair to
Continue