A surprising nugget of information surfaced when I recently searched for
Myalgic Encephalomyelits on the CDC's website. Evidently, even the
CDC acknowledges that ME is *not* CFS!
From the overview chapter of the CDC's CFS provider education course:
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cme/wb1032/chapter1/overview.html
"Various terms are incorrectly used interchangeably with CFS. CFS has
an internationally accepted case definition that is used in research
and clinical settings. The name chronic fatigue and immune
dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) was introduced soon after CFS was
defined; there is no case definition for CFIDS, and the name implies
an understanding about the pathophysiology of CFS that is not fully
supported in the medical literature.
***The name myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) was coined in the 1950s to
clarify well-documented outbreaks of disease; however, ME is
accompanied by neurologic and muscular signs and has a case
definition distinct from that of CFS." *** (emphasis and paragraph
break added)
~ Liz Willow
___________
While efforts on renaming the disease known as chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS) continue to stagnate, an alternative course of action is to simply
recognize in the United States the disease already internationally known as
myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The name chronic fatigue syndrome has proven to be detrimental. We deserve
an established, legitimate diagnosis that can be properly diagnosed,
researched and treated in order to end the medical and social abuses to
which we have been subjected for far too long.
Why ME
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis has a 50-year history in the medical
literature and a documented history of outbreaks, is accepted by the WHO,
and was included in Gary Holmes's short list of names for the 1988 CFS
definition (at that time the definition was not considered to be too narrow
or specific). It is still in use by most of the world.
ME is listed as a synonym for CFS by the CDC and in most government and
patient publications. Using the name ME would help to maintain continuity
and consistency and dispell the myth that this is a new, fad "disease de
jour" diagnosis. Another "new" name may only add to the confusion and
skepticism and is the most difficult to implement. Using different names,
as
has happened in the past and described in David Bell's book, "Disease of a
Thousand Names," becomes a logistical nightmare, making the illness more
difficult to study and only serving to obscure the worldwide incidence.
Patients can add their voice to demand that myalgic encephalomyelitis be
recognized by signing the petition, "A CALL FOR ACTION: THE RECOGNITION OF
MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS AS A SERIOUS AND DEBILITATING DISEASE" at:
We are "Tired of being sick, not sick of being tired."
Tom Hennessy, President
Jill McLaughlin, Former Executive Director
RESCIND Inc.
National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.
Contact RESCIND president Tom Hennessy at RESCINDINC@aol.com