Galway Advertiser, may 19, 2011.

a documentary about ME/chronic fatigue, which will be screened in Galway later this month, will strike a chord with local sufferers, according to Orla Ni Chomhrai, the co-ordinator of the Galway ME/CFS support group.

a free screening of the programme entitled Invisible will take place at the Pillo Hotel, Headford Road on Sunday may 22 at 2.30pm in a bid to heighten awareness about the condition and mark ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month.

“Patients’ stories about the challenges they faced as the illness turned their lives upside down, will resonate with many people here,” says Ms Chomhrai. “the financial difficulties, coping with disabling and confusing symptoms, and trying to explain it to others around them while they struggle to understand it themselves, will be familiar to people with this illness and their families.

“Being cut-off from their previous lives of work and study, and having difficulty maintaining friendships because of not being able to keep up, as well as often looking normal while feeling sick, causes the patient’s life to become almost invisible to the wider world.”

she says the film is not just about the negative impact of the condition. It is also about how people learn to adjust and cope with living with a chronic illness and find different ways of living their lives.

“the illness of course not just affects the ill people but also their families. Invisible also hears how families react and adjust to the illness, often being the mainstay of support for the ill person. Invisible gets across the reality of living with ME/CFS, shedding light on what is often hidden from public view. We see patients and their families not just as people who are suffering but also as people who use their inner strength and courage to adjust to their new lives.”

Patients often have problems getting diagnosed and receiving adequate or appropriate support due to misunderstandings and ignorance surrounding the condition, she outlines.

“Raising awareness helps educate the general public about the condition and the impact it can have on sufferers’ lives. It is also useful for people to find out that there are others out there experiencing similar problems, and that there are patient support groups, as it helps them feel less alone.”

Vera Kindlon, the chairperson of the Irish ME/CFS Association, describes the documentary as “moving” and says it reveals the human story of ME/CFS.

“Interviews with patients and their families get across the devastation and havoc this illness can cause. not only do sufferers have to deal with symptoms such as severe pain, flu-like symptoms, sleep problems, and concentration and memory problems but patients and their families often have to deal with disbelief and lack of understanding from others about the condition.

“many people and families can also be hit very hard financially if the person with ME/CFS can no longer work due to illness. As they only have energy for a few activities they are forced to withdraw from their previous lives, spending a lot of time at home and often feeling invisible. This along with the nature of the disabilities gives the documentary its title.”

While there have been some improvements in the last decade many people still experience a considerable delay in obtaining a firm diagnosis, says Ms Kindlon.

“more research has been published in the last year which again showed that an early diagnosis greatly improves the prognosis. Without a diagnosis, relations with family and friends can be strained and arrangements with employers or schools become very difficult. having a name for what is wrong with them allows patients to better manage their condition. they can also then get in touch with other sufferers, learning how others have dealt with similar problems and gaining support and empathy from those who know exactly what it is like.”

about 12,000 people in Ireland suffer from ME, now often diagnosed under the name chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Symptoms include overwhelming flu-like exhaustion made worse by even minor exertion (physical or intellectual exertion), muscle and joint pains, sore throats, swollen glands, disturbed sleep, impaired concentration and memory and headaches. a particular feature of the disease is that the condition waxes and wanes over time and symptoms can fluctuate a great deal from day to day, or even within a day.

the cause of the condition is still unknown but 80 per cent of sufferers report an infectious onset – which is why it is sometimes called post-viral fatigue syndrome.

There is no known cure at the moment for ME which is recognised as a neurological illness by the World Health Organisation. however, patients may be able to get symptomatic relief for some of the symptoms. While some sufferers do improve over time, others remain significantly affected and disabled by their illness and have to carefully pace their activities in order to manage their lives.

ME/CFS affects men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds although it is rare in young children. It seems to occur mostly in people aged 20 to 50 years.

for further information or free information packs on managing and treating ME contact the Irish ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association, PO Box 3075, Freepost F4439, Dublin 2 or e-mail or telephone (01) 2350965.

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I'm not looking for a Cut'n Paste from Wikipedia, can anyone tell me what exactly what it is, in lay-mans terms and how I would know if I was suffering from it, and what are the causes?

nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/art…
This should help it gives you a whole list of symptoms, causes etc.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes called M.E or Post Viral Syndrome. it usually follows a virus and there is no cure. Usually it goes away by itself, but others are left with it to some degree for many years or life.

Common symptoms of CFS/ME include:

* muscle and joint pain, but with no swelling
* fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after exercise or exertion at a level that you usually used to be able to manage without feeling tired
* forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
* sleep disturbances – waking up feeling tired or unrested or having trouble getting to sleep
* flu-like symptoms

Chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes called CFS, is a condition that makes you feel so tired that you can't do all of your normal, daily activities. There are other symptoms too, but being very tired for at least 6 months is the main one.

Many people improve in a year or two and do not have a relapse. some people continue to have severe fatigue and other symptoms for many years.

The disease is not well understood. Most experts now believe that it is a separate illness with its own set of symptoms. But some doctors do not believe this.

There are no tests for CFS. because of this, many people have trouble accepting their disease or getting their friends and family to do so. having people who believe your diagnosis and support you is very important. having a doctor you can trust is critical.

Your tiredness is real. It’s not "in your head." it is your body's reaction to a combination of emotional and physical factors.

(go to webmd.com ) :]

I was diagnosed with Post viral syndrome – or ME/CFS – in 1997.

All types of people at all ages are affected. Severe and debilitating fatigue, painful muscles and joints, disordered sleep, gastric disturbances, poor memory and concentration are the main symptoms that are reported

In many cases, onset is linked to a viral infection, as mine was. Other triggers may include an operation or an accident, although some people experience a slow onset.

I could sleep for 16 hours, wake up and then go back to bed, one night I went up for a bath, fell asleep wrapped in a towel and didn't wake up till the following afternoon.

My gp was useless and kept telling me that I needed to exercise, get out more and he diagnosed depression!

I saw a speciallist at the hospital who diagnosed PVS and the ME Association were invaluable as a source of help and support.

In short it is a bit like having really really bad flu – which is where the term Yuppie flu – came from which is one of the derogatory terms used for this illness.

I still have a high white cell count, am often really tired and have difficulties taking anti biotics all things that seem to affect the condition.

Chronic Faigue's causes are unknown though it is believed to be an immune system problem, especially after a bacterial or virus infection. Though the true cause is unknown.

It is defined as 6 or more months of fatigue and exhaustion with unknown causes. some of the symptoms are forgetfulness, waking up and still feeling tired, sore throat, muscle pain, join pain with swelling, and tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

It is hard to diagnose, so hopefully this was helpful. it is also often linked with lupus and has similiar symptoms.

Author’s Note: The first time I approached my doctor about this was 2006 and the ‘symptoms’ I exhibited since had only worsened. I was legitimately concerned, especially after having researched it online various times and finding out that the condition could present at varying degrees of severity but that it was incredibly hard to diagnose.

What are the general symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)? The Better Health website presents the following description as being the “symptoms for which ME/CFS is best known”:

The symptoms for which ME/CFS is best known are persistent weakness and exhaustion. The distinguishing feature of the condition is a type of exhaustion known as post-exertional malaise or ‘payback’. this includes abnormal exhaustion after any form of exertion and a worsening of other symptoms. The response may be delayed, perhaps beginning after 24 hours.

It can take an unusually long time to recover from this type of exhaustion. Activities that were once taken for granted now take an enormous toll on a person’s health. for example, your normal walk, which caused no fatigue before, is followed by unusual tiredness that takes longer than usual to go away.

Other symptoms include:

Symptoms may vary even over a short time.

Let’s see – persistent weakness and exhaustion? Yep, especially after exertion (post-exertional malaise). nowhere near the extent to which they describe the “toll” being, but it would often see me taken out for a good few days, coupled with unexplainable pain.

From the list: Cognitive difficulties (memory); disrupted sleep; pain; drop in blood pressure (causes dizziness?); muscle twitching and tingling.

So I don’t present with many of the commonly associated symptoms, but I didn’t feel that the lack of these was enough to substantiate a non-diagnosis, especially if it was only presenting in a minor way.

It’s well known that those who have had Glandular, Scarlet or Ross River Fever are more likely than others to contract ME/CFS in the decade following their illness.

Still, despite having had scarlet fever in 2004 and presenting persistent symptomology for four years with an increase in intensity, it turned out that it was all caused by my weight gain and stress.

Go figure, right? Years upon years of built up stress coupled with my weight gain had started to just shut me down.  The exhaustion and pain were things that had to be fought with action, not inaction.

So, we started eating a little better and we both joined a gym close to home in an effort to increase our fitness, energy levels and lose a few kilos as well.

Eventually, my energy levels increased slightly and the intermittent pain and exhaustion dropped to levels that were manageable and quite infrequent. my sleeping still hasn’t improved, but that might never improve. Broken sleep since I was fourteen isn’t likely to be something that could be fixed that quickly…

So, the doctor put me onto a psychologist. he worked from the same clinic so it was mostly convenient. I was initially reluctant, but I really wanted to work through all the crap that I must’ve still been carrying around with me from the years gone by.

After warming to him and giving him a very brief version of the ten years prior to this blog’s journey, plus a summary of this blog (before I even had the idea for it), we started working on my current-most stress: work.

It’s a primary contributor to the general stress-network in my life. my mother was another, but removing her from my life had a profound effect on my stress levels. The idea now is to find better work for myself, a healthier workplace and colleagues and job that I actually enjoy doing.

At least, that was the result of the first few sessions with Wes. It was nice talking to a neutral party that had no involvement in my situation and had no personal motivations for the advice they were providing. It was oddly comforting. Guess I’m susceptible to psychology after all *lol*

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes intense exhaustion that sleep or rest cannot relieve. those who suffer from CFS find that symptoms worsen with mental or physical activity, and that they function at lower than normal activity levels. more than 1 million Americans suffer from CFS, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control (2010).

Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms tend to be non-specific, mimicking other medical conditions. The most prevalent symptom of CFS is exhaustion. Other symptoms include:

• Impaired memory function
• Insomnia
• Muscle pain
• Post-exertional fatigue
• Weakness.

Other chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms vary. some people report joint pain, night sweats, sensitivity to light, panic attacks, dizziness and stiffness as CFS symptoms.

Less than refreshing sleep and insomnia are two symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. If you are experiencing signs of CFS, your doctor may ask you about your sleep habits. She may also advise you to take steps to improve your sleep, such as avoiding or limiting daytime naps, reducing caffeine intake, adhering to a regular sleep schedule, or engaging in moderate exercise a few hours before going to bed. In some cases, you may be prescribed a sleep aid to help with your sleep problems.

Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms can overlap with a number of other medical conditions, including sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. your doctor will rule out these other conditions as a possible cause of your symptoms before diagnosing CFS.

Diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult, as no specific laboratory tests clearly indicate its presence. due to the vague nature of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms many cases go undiagnosed.

Doctors make a CFS diagnosis by ruling out other illnesses. In order to be diagnosed with CFS, a person must experience at least four of the following symptoms, simultaneously, for a period of six months or more:

Difficulty concentrating and memory problemsExhaustionMultiple-joint pain (without swelling or redness) Muscle pain Odd headaches (new in terms of pain and pattern) Sore throat Tender lymph nodes Unsatisfying sleep.

Chronic fatigue syndrome affects people of all ages and both genders. The Centers for Disease Control (2010) reports that CFS is four times more common in woman than men, and often strikes individuals in their 40s and 50s.

While there isn’t a definite cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, some think it might be related to an immune dysfunction, infection or problems with the nervous system. Researchers are also studying possible genetic links of CFS and are considering environmental contributors.

No cure for CFS exists. Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment relieves symptoms, improves functioning and encourages helpful lifestyle changes. Recovery rates vary from person to person.

Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment plans may include cognitive-behavioral therapy and alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Gentle stretching, low-intensity exercise and physical therapy may help overcome chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

Medical chronic fatigue syndrome treatment is limited. Pain and sleep medication are used to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

As early treatment plans seem to make a big difference in the fight to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome, a timely CFS diagnosis is very important. Possible chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms should be reported to a doctor.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Retrieved September 20, 2010, from cdc.gov/cfs/general/index.html.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2009). Chronic fatigue syndrome. Retrieved September 20, 2010, from mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395.

Office of Research on Women’s Health. (n.d.). Chronic fatigue syndrome. Retrieved September 20, 2010, from orwh.od.nih.gov/cfs.html.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disease the symptoms of which are severe fatigue that does not get better with bed rest and may deteriorate with bodily or intellectual activity. The Center for Disease Control has done studies on the subject and has published that there are approximately one to four million Americans who have this disorder. Generally about forty percent of the people who describe their symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome have a serious but previously unrecognized medical condition. It is treatable.

Sometimes CFS develops after an infection, a cold or a viral disease, or after a period of heavy stress. Sometimes it just appears and gradually worsens, with no apparent cause or beginning. People who have CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) feel like they have the flu. However, people who have flu get well in a few days or weeks. CFS lasts much longer. The symptoms can come and go. there is no pattern.

Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome far more of ten than men are. CFS is a flu-like condition that can drain your energy and sometimes last for years.

Current medical practice is to assume the disease is psychological – that is, it’s all in your head. a patient is given psychological counseling and sometimes physical therapy and exercise specialists are brought in. Sometimes a sleep therapist or dietitian is recommended. But these are just band-aids to allow the patient to “live with” the disease. Nothing is apparently available to relieve the misery and actually make the patient well.

At Angel Longevity Medical Center in Los Angeles, the doctors and staff are aware that the fatigue, pain, discomfort and depression felt by patients who have CFS are not “all in your head.” These do have an underlying cause and Angel Longevity Medical Center has the technology and treatments that can help identify and treat this disease. they not only treat the disease but also reverse the condition by increasing your energy and vitality.

Fibromyalgia also falls in the category of mysterious diseases when addressed by the conventional medical community. both CFS and fibromyalgia are greatly affected by what the person eats. in every case saturated fats and refined vegetable oils will increase the pain and refined carbohydrates will worsen the condition. Slow burning carbs rich in fiber will increase energy and omega-3 fatty acids in fish and flaxseed oil will alleviate pain.

A patient at Angel Longevity Medical Center will also be evaluated for food allergies, which are often overlooked but are a frequent cause of fatigue and pain. Many patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome suffer from depression. they also tend to have low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood. in addition to contributing to depression, low levels of serotonin can cause the sensation of pain to be greatly heightened.

At the Angel Longevity Medical Center natural supplements are used that will boost serotonin levels, improve mood, and relieve pain. St. John’s wort, SAMe and 5-HTP are far safer than Prozac and other prescription anti-depressants and are backed by solid research, not to mention the positive experiences of patients. Don’t suffer from CFS – get relief.

Want to find out more about Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, then visit the Angel Longevity Medical Center site for your needs.