Journal of IiME Volume 1 Issue 1 INFORMATION ON ME/CFS (continued) COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN ME/CFS Evidence shows it is at best ineffective and at worst harmful in authentic ME/CFS. GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN ME/CFS A number of gynaecological conditions have been found to occur more frequently in women with ME/CFS, for example endometriosis is reported to occur in up to 20% of women with the disorder; cystic enlargement of the ovaries may be present and can be seen on ultrasound scan. A history of ovarian cysts, including polycystic ovaries and uterine fibroids was found in one study to be more common in patients than in controls. Prostatitis is common in men with ME/CFS. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN WITH ME/CFS It is not widely recognised that children and adolescents can suffer from ME/CFS, which has been found in children as young as five. There may be appalling problems with ignorant authorities, with children being forcibly removed from their homes and placed in the “care” of the State and the parents accused of child abuse; one consultant paediatrician who specialises in ME/CFS is on record as confirming that the number of such cases now amounts to an epidemic. The presentation in young people may differ from that in adults. Some children require tube feeding. Education may be a particular problem. There are many horrific stories of inappropriate and damaging psychiatric interventions. The Review Article by Professor Leonard Jason et al is essential reading (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Children and Adolescents: A Review. Karen M Jordan, Leonard Jason et al. Journal of Adolescent and Child Health 1998:22:4-18) SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ME/CFS AND FIBROMYALGIA Although there is some overlap of symptomatology in both conditions, there are significant differences between ME/CFS and FM: the WHO lists them as separate disorders in the ICD and there are important laboratory distinctions (eg. levels of somatomedin C; substance P; CBG levels; secretion of ATP; acetlycholine sensitivity; endlothelin-1 levels etc). Studies suggest that those with co-existent disorders face an additional burden of suffering and a worse outcome. GENETIC ABNORMALITIES IN ME/CFS There is unequivocal evidence of acquired abnormalities in numerous genes involved in energy production and with the neurological and immunological systems. PATTERNS OF MEDICAL MISDIAGNOSIS Misdiagnosis is very common in complex and poorly understood illness and patients are often ignored or dismissed by medical practitioners without justification. This increases their suffering. The literature abounds with evidence that patients have often been given an inappropriate label (usually by psychiatrists), and that such labels abruptly disappear when medical science and knowledge discover an underlying organic aetiology. Examples are legion, and include diabetes, hypothyroidism, pernicious anaemia, peptic ulcer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease -- in the 1940s, psychiatrists claimed that the intention tremor was due to the inner conflict of the patient who wished to masturbate but who knew it was wrong, and that the intention tremor was a manifestation of such inner conflict; it was not until the discovery of the neurotransmitters and the role of dopamine that such views were abandoned. Unfortunately, some psychiatrists seem unable learn from past experience. (continued on page 47) 46 Invest in ME Charity Nr 1114035 www.investinme.org
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