A symptom list: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is a debilitating acquired neurological disease which has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1969 as a distinct organic neurological disorder with the code G.93.3.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis symptoms are manifested by virtually all bodily systems including: cognitive, cardiac, cardiovascular, immunological, endocrinological, respiratory, hormonal, gastrointestinal and musculo-skeletal dysfunctions and damage.

M.E. is a neurological illness of extraordinarily incapacitating dimensions that affects virtually every bodily system -- not a problem of medically unexplained 'chronic fatigue.' Many with M.E. are housebound or bedbound. People with M.E would give anything to instead only be severely 'fatigued' or tired all the time.

For more information, and to see a full symptom list for M.E. (available in Word or PDF format), see:

http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/themesymptomlist.htm

Also note that it should not be assumed that because you may have some percentage of the symptoms on the list that you necessarily have M.E. - many of them are common in a variety of other illnesses and it is the pattern of symptoms (and the acute onset type) which enables a M.E. diagnosis to be made, as well as the presence of a number of core characteristics and symptoms (and test results) which are always present in the illness, and without which a diagnosis of M.E. should never be made. (For example, damage to the brain, the CNS, which is visible on brain scans, and the unique form of muscle weakness/paralysis seen in M.E. and so on.) Even having a large number or percentage of the symptoms on this list does NOT necessarily mean a M.E. diagnosis is likely or even a possibility.

Appropriate tests should be conducted which can help confirm a M.E. diagnosis. If all tests are normal then a diagnosis of M.E. cannot be correct. M.E. is not the same thing as 'CFS.' See:

http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/testingforme.htm

Both of these papers are fully referenced and have been compiled using information produced by the world's leading and most experienced M.E. experts.

Acknowledegements: This video is voiced by Lyn Bassett.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Myalgic
• Encephalomyelitis
• CFS
• CFIDS
• CFS/ME
• ME/CFS
• activism
• advocacy
• severe

[cloudbustingstar]

This was so ture, l have had this suffering disease for 6 years. and it s the first time someone has list all the symptoms. l was very ill after takeing pill, my doc give me .

just like to say thanks

[AHummingbirdsGuide]

@cloudbustingstar Thanks yourself, for writing:) What pill did your Dr give you that made you ill? I'd also highly recommend you read everything you can by Dr Hyde...you will cry, probably (as I did) to read such accurate accounts of M.E. It really helps, to have good info!

[mahmoods]

After suffering for 7 yrs plus,I was only diagnosed 2 yrs ago.My condition continues to deterioate.Now with the goverment shake up and medical assesements by ATOS for the DWP,they are trying to say I am fit to work.Why dont they do the research about this ghastly condition.Its a life changing condition with no treatment for it.I am no where near the same person as I was 8 yrs ago.I would love to be normal and go back to work,I just cant.I dont feel I can go on and dont have the energy to fight.

[AHummingbirdsGuide]

@mahmoods Me too, I would love to work and pay tax and be able to do all those normal things. If we could, we would! I'm so sorry you feel so desperate...there are no easy solutions, but talking to others in the same (hideous, leaking) boat can really help. Do you have any support? If not, please consider joining one of the HFME groups...things can improve, there is still real hope esp. as you have not been ill so long as some... Hang in there...

[ralphinio4]

I'm not sure if I have this or not. I am able to exercise, often intensely. Would this be impossible if I had Me? My symptoms seem to be detachment, difficulty focusing and fatigue. If anyone has any advice, I'd be very grateful!

[AHummingbirdsGuide]

@ralphinio4 Yes, if you had M.E. you wouldn't be able to exercise intensely and you would describe the disease and main symptoms very differently. So it is absolutely NOT M.E. I am no doctor, but that much is clear, as to what you do have I couldn't possibly say, as it could be more than a hundred different things. Wish you all the best in finding a good Dr that is a skilled diagnostician....and soon!

[fastskyr34]

It's a national disgrace that sufferers of this awful condition are not given the credence they deserve. Why does the Government sweep this illness under the carpet? Is it because they do not want to commit to the necessary funding for research into the possible treatments of this debilitating illness?

[gracesnotes3]

Impossible for people to understand the impact that this illness has on your daily life. No one really wants to hear about your reality...SO you just don't tell them. It's very isolating..and you have to accept that as the life that you will live. Much like a shitty little prison imposed on you..Which makes it really creepy when people accuse you of being paranoid. I have M.E.

[cloudbustingstar]

Thanks for getting back ,name Metronidazole to treat infection.after 3 days on this drug l ended up in hospital.and no one could find out what was up with me. 2years later it was said. i have m.e l will look for book...if i keep off all drugs. artifical colours

flavovrs and caffene .and drinks and i love a glass wine. I can get thougth the days

[FreeBritain1]

@charmedjoey I find I need to push forward sometimes and this can be very painful. Then I need to pull back to a comfortable place and stay there for a year or two. Lots of love to you in your courage. Anne

[FallaciesDetective]

very interesting! what do you think makes the viruses cause the disease in some people? I guess genetic and stress factors are possible- or something we just don´t think of yet. I am sure it is not a psychological reason, even though a stressed soul does not make things easier.

[icaleod]

Great vid! I really appreciate the thoroughness of this video.