Visiting with people and taking phone calls can be exhausting.

And with every activity — “preparing meals, ironing a shirt, putzing around the house” — she has to pace herself.

“I have to break down tasks little by little,” Malott said. “What I can do today, I might not be able to do tomorrow.”

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalopathy, is a devastating and little-understood disorder, characterized by an overwhelming lack of energy and a variety of other symptoms, including muscle pain, memory problems, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, achy joints and unrestful sleep.

Malott, 49, has been living with the disorder for more than five years.

She has had to give up a 28-year nursing career, can no longer work out at the gym and now attends church from her red leather recliner at home, via the Internet.

But that hasn’t stopped her from being the best mother she can be to her children, Sara, 9 and Luke, 7.

And it doesn’t diminish her capacity to give and receive love.

“Before the illness, I was a very active mom. I would run through the door, start supper, round up the children for baths, run here, run there. Parenting was more of a task-based role,” Malott shared. “Now, it’s more emotional, supportive and educational.”

Malott said she “didn’t see this right away, but there are some gifts in this for my kids. their mom is home every morning and every evening when they come home, without fail. they will have a heart for people with illness and disability and they will benefit from the fact that I have greatly increased my efforts to educate them about life’s lessons and not taking anything for granted.”

Malott married her husband Jason when she was 38 and had her daughter Sara when she was 39, followed by a son, Luke.

“It was six months after Luke was born that I started to experience some health issues that now, in retrospect, were related to the illness,” she said.

“I was a very hands-on kind of mom and would get on the floor and play and run around in the yard with the children. I remember thinking how much I couldn’t wait to ride roller coaster with my kids. I was a front-seat, hands-up kind of girl.”

Little did she know, she reflected, how drastically her life would change.

The diagnosis

Malott said it was March of 2006 when she began to experience hand pain for about three weeks.

“I didn’t feel well,” she recalled. “So I went to my primary care doctor who sent me for carpal tunnel testing, which was negative. then, about three days later, I just felt really tired — flu-like, but also lightheaded.”

At the time, she said, she was taking a spinning class three to four times a week. When she got on the treadmill at the fitness center and started walking, “I felt like I was going to pass out. I told my husband I didn’t feel right and thought I needed to go to the emergency room. I went, and as it turns out, my heart was beating irregularly and my potassium was low.”

Malott said she had a cardiac catheterization and other cardiac tests that came back normal.

Six months later, she once again began suffering from extreme hand pain, as well as a fever and body aches that lasted 10 days.

“I could barely function,” she said. “All I could do was lay down and get up for meals and go to the bathroom. I felt like I had a severe case of the flu. It went away after 10 days, but came back again in two months and has been there ever since.”

Malott said the low-grade fevers were concerning to her doctors, as well as the hand pain, cardiac irregularities and low potassium.

“I noticed a decline in my short-term memory and my ability to concentrate at work,” she said. “I also developed severe insomnia, making it difficult to function day to day. I lost 60 pounds in about four months, which was another baffling piece.  this was a real telltale sign that something was wrong, as I have fought the battle of the bulge most of my adult life.”

Malott visited a rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in 2007, who was the first to tell her she might have CFS and/or fibromyalgia, a syndrome also associated with fatigue and muscle pain.

How can we know the difference between symptoms of amnesia and memory lapses and forgetfulness ordinary? Is there a distinction between amnesia and memory problems that we face as we age? while there are some differences there are many things in common.

We’ve all had moments when we forget something or have trouble remembering information. sometimes tiredness or stress can disrupt memory momentarily. The older we get more than attribute it to old age. However, rarely assume that our memory problems or forgetfulness are the signs of amnesia, even if we are living in our retirement years.

So why open up this discussion of the symptoms of amnesia in relation to aging? Is there anything I should be worried in regard to aging and amnesia? The answer may be yes.

As we age, we run the risk of several mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. A form of amnesia may actually be a symptom that may occur outside of one of these disorders and encourage us to seek medical help. Know the signs of amnesia may be important to be able to detect it in ourselves or our loved ones.

Amnesia Symptoms differ from lapses of memory and oblivion in different ways. The first difference is that memory lapses or forgetfulness in general tend to be minor or short-lived. we forget that we got to the room to find the keys, but we remember when we got to the door or back to the kitchen. The amnesia is a complete loss of memory in which to forget they even have the keys or they may never remember that we were looking for them. Amnesia of age-related diseases tend to have a more lasting effect on short-term memory. The person begins to forget what just happened or that a particular question. They insist that it never happened or never said when confronted about it.

One of the other signs of amnesia is that certain memories are locked up completely and can not be accessed. although sometimes this is temporary as in the case of stress-related amnesia, when age-related disease is the cause then the loss tends to be permanent.

As they advance in age-related diseases other symptoms of amnesia to be shown is that the person can no longer remember personal or family memories, such as the name of a loved one. The more advanced the disease becomes more long-term memory are lost.

As is the case of more severe forms of amnesia, when age-related diseases affect a large part of the brain, the symptoms of amnesia go so far as to delete the character and identity. The person forgets who they are and their personality will change. They often become depressed or antisocial, and can say that something is wrong but can not determine what exactly. As part of your brain are affected may experience mood swings for no apparent reason, or simply removed.

So while everyone can have memory lapses from time to time, amnesia is a more severe memory impairment. it is important to understand the symptoms of amnesia, as they may be a sign of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. if you have problems to remember as we have discussed either in a loved one or yourself, seek medical attention.

Treatment can slow the progression of memory loss or even stop it. certain medications available that can help, however, be sure to ask about side effects. Also people are using natural supplements as increasingly researchers are finding that they can be equally effective in the fight against brain disorders and memory loss as prescription drugs. Seek advice from a medical expert with expertise in natural resources before trying to incorporate into your diet. The earlier fight against a disease related to cognitive age, the better your success.

menopause/perimenopause symptoms?

First, I have to say that I am diagnosed with recurrent depression. what I am having now though seems different than the “normal” bouts of depression I have. Sometimes I feel fine and then other times I feel very emotional and on the verge of tears. I sweat buckets, not really so much at night, just sort of whenever, I’m tired alot, not much interest in sex, terrible memory problems, cant seem to focus/concentrate, my periods will be regular for a few months and then I may skip one. can any of you ladies that are going through or have gone through menopause tell me about your symptoms to reassure me that I am not losing my mind.

Menopause and perimenopause are two different things and should not be confused as one. Perimenopause refers a 10 to 15 year period of time before regular menopause begins. The main cause of perimenopause is because of a hormonal imbalance. These imbalances can start for women in their mid to late 30’s, but most women do not experience hormonal imbalance until their 40’s. Early Menopause Symptoms are much like normal or regular menopausal symptoms. Some of the most common early menopausal complaints are hot flashes, Night Sweats, vaginal dryness, and body odor change, depression, anxiety, and thinning hair.

Start with extreme exhaustion that doesn’t get better, even with a lot of rest. Add in muscle and joint pain, memory problems, headaches, sleep problems, sore throat and tender lymph nodes. People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) suffer from a complex and pervasive illness that can cause some or all of these symptoms.

Poorly understood by scientists and sufferers alike, CFS affects the brain and multiple body systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1 million Americans have the disease. the cause of CFS, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, remains a mystery. and without understanding a cause, it is nearly impossible to definitively diagnose or effectively treat.

Chronic Epstein Barr virus infection, Lyme disease, total allergy syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome and bodywide yeast infection have been implicated as causative agents in the past, but research has not borne out those hypotheses. Research focusing on other infectious agents is promising but incomplete.

Researchers at Stanford University are among those looking for answers and finding some solutions.

Jose Montoya, M.D., associate professor of medicine, infectious diseases, is scheduled to provide information on recent research regarding diagnosis and treatment and the possible CFS-infection connection, 7 p.m. March 3 at the Arrillaga Alumni Center on the Stanford campus. Sponsored by Stanford Health Library, the talk is free and open to the public. call 498-7826 to register.

Living with CFS can be frustrating. Most people, including health-care providers, do not know much about CFS, and treatment options are limited. There are those who believe it is an “imaginary disease,” “all in the head of the patient.” those suffering from CFS and many of their doctors know that it is absolutely real.

Victims of CFS often perceive themselves as alone and misunderstood. Sometimes a good book, full of useful information, can serve as a supportive friend. There are several books at Stanford Health Library that fill the bill.

From Oxford University Press’ well-regarded “the Facts” series is the book “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)” (2nd ed., 2008). Authors Frankie Campling and Michael Sharpe provide a roadmap to scientific information about the disease, while acknowledging the importance of patients’ roles in defining and managing their illness. the book provides research-based information to help patients and caregivers make informed decisions about treatment and offers practical guidance on how patients can help.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is its effort to encourage readers to understand and consider the level of evidence presented. CFS is a disease that attracts many charlatans who present false hope to patients without any scientific evidence to support their claims. An appendix provides an excellent instrument, called DISCERN, designed to evaluate medical evidence for all diagnoses. This is a must-read for anyone with CFS and those who love them.

Elizabeth Turp’s “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME: Support for Family and Friends” (Jessica Kingsley, 2011) was written to promote understanding of the emotional, social and day-to-day impact of CFS. Both patients and their loved ones will find this book full of valuable tips for providing supportive care in an often confusing and complicated situation.

CFS is characterized as mild, moderate and severe, and help for physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms is recommended based on the degree of illness. beyond understanding the disease and its ramifications, Turp offers practical advice on issues including personal hygiene, nutrition, domestic tasks, travel and employment. the book closes with “top Ten Tips” on how those who care can help.

CFS is often considered synonymous with fibromyalgia. Although the two diseases can coexist, they are separate entities. “Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: the Mind-Body Connection” (Healing Arts Press, 2010) explains the differences and similarities of the three conditions.

Authors Celeste Cooper, R.N., and Jeffrey Miller, Ph.D., focus on therapeutic options that address physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Solutions presented vary. This is an excellent, positive book for those with CFS, fibromyalgia and/or myofascial pain. Readers can come away with a better understanding of their condition and a host of coping tools.

Nancy Dickenson is head librarian at Stanford Health Library. For more information, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 2 Comments 1″Business Owner”at Friday, 18 February 2011 13:44by Julia Rachel dear Nancy:  Thank you for your compassionate reporting on this issue. Many people do not know that stealth viruses as well as serious co-infections are involved in the maze of CFS. so many people look at this as a “fatigue syndrome” instead of the nuerological disease that it is. my son nearly lost his life to CFS Viruses and their impact on his brain, CNS and Immunological system. Having just entered the Hospice Program, my son elected to try Dr. Montoya’s protocol. This saved his life 2.5 years ago. VLG on Valcyte Blog 2″Ho”at Friday, 18 February 2011 13:45by Inga Ahhh man.. its the 70s all over again.. and here comes the “Yuppie Flu” lol Post Comment

THE biggest-ever study of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome has found more people recover if helped to try to do more than they think they can – rather than adapting to a life of limited activity.

The findings of the study, published in the Lancet, attracted immediate criticism from patient groups, some of whom believe there is a conspiracy by the psychiatric establishment to brand chronic fatigue as being ”all in the mind”. they insist it is a physical disease, probably with a viral cause.

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Doctors involved in the new trial say they are looking only at treating the symptoms, not the cause. in a quarter of cases, sufferers are unable to leave the house. The symptoms include exhaustion, poor concentration, memory problems, disturbed sleep, and joint and muscle pains.

The trial, funded by the UK Medical Research Council together with the Department of Health, followed 641 patients for a year.

It found that patients showed more improvement – and a small minority recovered completely – after cognitive behaviour therapy, one of the so-called psychological ”talking therapies”, or graded exercise therapy, where the patient is encouraged gradually to become more active.

Although the numbers who recovered were small, Trudie Chalder, professor of cognitive behavioural psychotherapy at King’s College, London, said that ”twice as many people on graded exercise therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy got back to normal” compared with those in the other two treatment groups.

First, I have to say that I am diagnosed with recurrent depression. what I am having now though seems different than the "normal" bouts of depression I have. sometimes I feel fine and then other times I feel very emotional and on the verge of tears. I sweat buckets, not really so much at night, just sort of whenever, I'm tired alot, not much interest in sex, terrible memory problems, cant seem to focus/concentrate, my periods will be regular for a few months and then I may skip one. Can any of you ladies that are going through or have gone through menopause tell me about your symptoms to reassure me that I am not losing my mind.

I sympathize with you. my periods stopped years ago in my early 40s and over time I started having all the things you are talking about – hot and cold sweats, loss of memory, lack of concentration, just even feeling mean. I think that menopause is an extremely trying time for a lot of women. I always think,"getting hormones was fun, having them taken away is so NOT." after quite a few years and a lot of thought, I think the best thing to do about it is to just regard it as a part of life and deal with the symptoms as best you can. for the memory problems – make notes and to do lists, reminders. for the sweats – wear layers that you can peel, have a fan nearby. for the lack of interest in sex – think of how good it feels to pick a partner based on things other than raging hormones. I think that soy milk helps a little. People have recommended soy milk and soy powder to me and I just think the soy milk is better. I drink a couple of glasses a day. You are not losing your mind – you are just going through a transition. And you certainly are not alone.

When I turned 48 I left my husband – moved out and took my 7-year old son with me. I started having alot of intense emotions, crying, grief, anger – which I thought were related to my marriage break-up. I also started having migraines for the first time. I was tired also. it took me about a year to figure out that my symptoms were related to pre menopause. I didn't get hot flashes until I reached menopause (when your periods stop for good), but they can vary greatly in the way you experience them as well. for more info on symptoms, see natural-approaches-to-menopau…

Dyslexia in adults is more common then most realize, and it can have a number of significant impacts on a person’s life. for example, students often struggle the most with the condition. Dyslexia can take its toll on a student, and there are a number of effects that can occur.

For example, dyslexia can affect perception. While reading, it may appear to a person suffering with dyslexia that the letters on a page are dancing. although to some this might seem “cool,” it can be the cause of very bad headaches. it also means that the person will usually give up reading, which is vital to learning.

Concentrating on anything can also be a difficult task. Memory problems also occur and it is often difficult for someone to be able to retain recently gathered information. Restlessness is also a common problem associated with dyslexia.

Obviously, spelling is significantly hampered. it can be a nearly impossible task to use right parts of speech, grammar and correct punctuation. anyone who has suffered or is currently suffering from dyslexia can agree that the most difficult task is reading. Words that are spelled and look similar often get mixed up.

There are many other effects that occur from having dyslexia, and some are not as common as others. for example, someone might suffer from time management, have a hard time in writing down notes, and their handwriting can also be very poor.

Even though dyslexia is a common problem and it is widely researched and studied, there are still many misconceptions about the medical condition. it is a common problem for those that don’t understand the condition to consider those that suffer from it to be less intelligent or dumb. This becomes a very serious problem as it destroys any self confidence that the person with dyslexia might have. They often become depressed, and feel rejected and different from others.

Even though there are so many negative impacts of dyslexia, those that suffer from it often are advanced in other areas such as creativity. Most that have dyslexia are very creative and many have become famous for their creative ideas and personality. many present their ideas in the form of images instead of text. They can often think in terms of pictures and have an amazing imagination. with the proper support, love, and care they can often excel to unimaginable heights.

As stated earlier, much study has been given this medical condition. it has been suggested that the brain of a dyslexic person functions differently. Obviously, the part of the brain that helps the person read is diminished. If you suffer from dyslexia it is highly recommended that you take an adult dyslexia test. the sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of success in treatment are.

Bart Icles – About the Author:

Bart Icles writes about the effects of dyslexia and the misconceptions many have of the condition. If you think you may be dyslexic, take an adult dyslexia symptoms.

The symptoms of Lyme disease are red rashes, flu-like symptoms, joint pains and neurological symptoms. Check for them if you get a tick bite. Lyme disease is caused by a tick bite that may lead to disabilities and complications including Chronic arthritis, permanent joint pain, meningitis, heart inflammation and abnormalities, memory problems, and many other unpleasant side effects.

Lyme disease may not take away your life, but it can seriously damage your future. Lyme disease systems followed by a tick bite can lead to dangerous health problems.

Watch out for red rashes and flu-like symptoms

Once bitten by a tick that carries Lyme disease, you may experience a rash at the site of the bite. Shortly thereafter, you could experience flu-like symptoms that include chills, fever, headache, and pain in the joints and muscles. the rash usually gets larger and spreads over time, while the flu-like symptoms can last over quite a long period of time. If you start to notice these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor who can provide you with a precise diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment. Doctor-prescribed antibiotics will generally be able to deal with Lyme disease in the early stages of the infection.

See if you have aggravating joint pains

There are some people who don’t feel the beginning symptoms of Lyme disease. When you start feeling muscle aches and joint pains you may not be aware that these are symptoms of Lyme infection getting worse. If not immediately treated, chronic arthritis can result as joints becoming increasingly painful as time passes. If you start to feel this type of pain a few weeks after being bitten by a tick, make sure that you see your doctor to guard against further problems.

Neurological symptoms are something to be aware of

If Lyme Disease isn’t treated in its early stages, neurological symptoms may appear. These symptoms include numbness in arms and legs, poor focus and memory retention, stiff neck, and even facial nerve paralysis. Fainting and heart problems are symptoms that occur at a later stage in Lyme disease.

Be sure to let your doctor know if any aches and pains develop in the days or weeks following a tick bite. If you’ve been bitten by a tick, and are concerned you may have Lyme disease, get a checkup immediately even if you don’t experience a rash or any other symptoms. Please note that different people may experience Lyme disease differently and might not exhibit all of these symptoms. Some people show very few symptoms; however, others who already have health complications will most likely have more Lyme Disease symptoms. Additional symptoms to watch for are throat soreness, pain of the jaw, inflammation of the eye, infection in the ear and issues with the liver.

Go to the Lyme Disease Blog to learn more about the common symptoms of Lyme. lymediseaseblog.com/lyme-disease-symptoms/