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WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (W.H.O.) DEFINITION OF M.E. (1969)
ME/CFS is an acquired organic, pathophysiological, multi-systemic illness that occurs in both sporadic and epidemic forms. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ICD 10 G93.3), which includes CFS, is classified as a neurological disease in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Chronic fatigue must not be confused with ME/CFS because the "fatigue" of ME/CFS represents pathophysiological exhaustion and is only one of many symptoms. Compelling research evidence of physiological and biochemical abnormalities identifies ME/CFS as a distinct, biological clinical disorder.
If you haven't guessed by now, I have Myalgic Encephalopathy - modernly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome although this is a misnomer in many sufferers opinions as it is far more than just being tired!
Other symptoms can include;
• Overwhelming tiredness of muscles and/or the brain after minor exercise or use.
• Exhaustion which is far more severe than plain ordinary tiredness,
unrelieved by sleep.
• A flu-like feeling plus aching joints
• Muscular weakness after minimal effort which can take some time to disappear
• Muscles tender to touch..
• Lousy concentration - even problems following TV, conversation or reading a book. Difficulty in learning new information
• Very bad memory
• Confused or slurred speech when tired
• Poor balance, feeling unsteady, clumsiness, dropping things
• Mental Confusion
• Dizziness on standing ['postural hypotension']
• Sleep disturbance
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Headaches
• Enlarged lymph glands, usually in the neck
• Sore throat
• Abnormal temperature control
• Blurred or double vision due to tiredness of eye muscles
• Alcohol intolerance & sensitivities to food, drugs & chemicals
• Heightened sensitivity to light and especially sound
• Changed skin sensation - painful to touch, numbness, or 'pins and needles'
• Exaggerated emotions - weepiness, irritability, panic attacks, mood changes. Inability to cope with stress.
• Sudden rapid heart beat or palpitations
Coupled with the above, I have the misfortune to have Osteo-arthritis in my right hip due to having had the ankle on that side fixated after I snapped a tendon! All of this has limited my mobility somewhat but I do as much as I can without exhausting myself. It's not an easy balance to maintain though so I have my good days and my bad days! If you have always been sceptical about the true extent of CFS/ME, try to imagine back to when you last had a serious case of flu. Now double that and imagine what it would be like to feel like that most of the time! Imagine too the frustration of becoming absolutely exhausted by even the smallest amount of exercise. Imagine the frustration at being unable to do those things that you take for granted like long walks with the dogs, cycling, jogging, enjoying days out etc etc. I could go on but then I would be accused of whinging. ;o) If I could, I would bottle samples of CFS/ME for people to try for themselves.
Maybe one day the scientists will discover what exactly causes CFS/ME and even be able to offer us a viable treatment to at least alleviate the symptoms! Until then, we can only live in hope!
