Journal of IiME Volume 5 Issue 1 (May 2011) International Science Symposium on ME continued mentioned that a number of women with this illness seemed to be worse cyclically, confirming that in some women, hormones are involved. This was discussed further by Rosamund Vallings (Auckland,NZ) who uses oestrgen and progesterone often in women with CFS with cyclical or post menopausal symptoms. Nicole Phillips (Melbourne, Australia) who is a psychiatrist pointed out that some women can become depressed on Depo-Provera. Norman Hohl (Southport, Australia) Is relatively new to dealing with this illness, but as a travel medicine consultant and qualifications in infectious diseases, he has a strong interest in preventative strategies. Research directions: All agreed that this symposium will lead to collaboration internationally. International concurrent trials are needed, and more funding is essential. Larger worldwide studies are likely to increase funding availability. Collection of observational data can be of value. The idea of establishing a CFS registry was considered a valuable approach although this could be often difficult and time consuming for medical practitioners. Using internet self report will not necessarily generate patients fitting diagnostic criteria. Diagnosis needs to be made with face to face encounter by physicians familiar with the illness. More medical education is thus a very important issue to be addressed. Immediate plan: A formal press statement was produced for distribution after the symposium outlining the salient points raised. A list of future directions was also formulated. Some further e-mail discussion and collaboration between the scientists and clinicians is envisaged, and this was a very positive outcome from this symposium. Many of these people were new to CFS and had never met before, and it seems a whole new set of directions for future research will ensue. Those who had presented papers were encouraged to make the full paper available for the website which will be set up and Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) meanwhile the abstracts will be available. Christine Hunter and her AHMF team were formally thanked, together with the team from Bond University. Without all the dedication and hard work by all of these people, this symposium would never have been possible, and everyone agreed it was an enormous success. The event had been ably chaired by Prof Ken Donald and Prof Mel Miller. I would like to thank the Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation and ANZMES for enabling me to attend. ME QUOTES “…there is a chronic inflammation, neuro-inflammation, and it upsets the whole balance of your systems…the patients become terribly ill…. The immune system is really cranked up; it‟s a tremendous amount of inflammation. I think that if doctors could get this in their heads that it‟s sort of like lupus or one of these really inflammatory disorders…it is that level of inflammation. There‟s a tremendous amount of inflammatory stuff going on, and there‟s a lot of inflammation in the brain itself” (http://www.litemiami.com/spotlite/inde x.aspx) [Also see Invest in ME International ME/CFS Conference 2010 DVD] The evidence of inflammation in people with ME/CFS is important because the incremental aerobic exercise recommended by the Wessely School and encapsulated in NICE‟s Clinical Guideline 53 is contra-indicated in cases of inflamed and damaged tissue and inevitably results in post-exertional relapse with malaise, which is the cardinal symptom of ME/CFS. - Knowledge or Belief http://www.investinme.org/Article413 %20Knowledge%20or%20Belief.htm www.investinme.org Page 29/58
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