Medical Resources & Research
ME / CFS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, is a complicated illness characterised by at least six months of extreme fatigue that is not relieved by rest, and a group of additional symptoms that also are constant for at least six months.
What Are The Symptoms Of ME / CFS
Greatly lowered ability to do activities that were usual before the illness.
This drop in activity level occurs along with fatigue and must last six months or longer.
Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activities. This is known as Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).
People with ME/CFS often describe this experience as a “crash”, “relapse”, or “collapse”.
Pain is very common in people with ME/CFS. This type of pain, where it occurs, and how bad it is varies a lot. The pain most people with ME/CFS feel is not caused by an injury.
Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov
Source: Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/
Some symptoms of ME/CFS include but are not exclusive to:
Many but not all people with ME/CFS have other symptoms.
The most common types of pain in ME/CFS are:
Some people with ME/CFS may also have tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men.
What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months.
Fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they report sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain.
Cognitive difficulties. A symptom commonly referred to as “fibro fog” impairs the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental tasks.
Source: Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org
How does ME / CFS start?
In many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the disorder begins suddenly, often following a flu-like infection or an episode of trauma, such as surgery, a traumatic accident, or the death of a loved one. In other cases, CFS develops gradually. The illness lasts for many months or years, and only a small percentage of people recover full health.
Source: Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-all-in-your-brain-202402283020
Why do those with ME/CFS need our help?
“Over the years, I have cared for loved ones with advanced Alzheimer, late-stage cardiovascular and renal disease and Stage 4 cancer. But none of those experiences prepared me for being a carer for a Severe or Very Severe ME patient. The breadth, severity and unpredictability of the symptoms and dysfunction from one person to the next and from one day to the next can be hard to comprehend and mainstream medical education doesn’t help” Mary Dimmock
At present there is NO place in New Zealand for those with ME/CFS or FM, even for those who are severely ill, to receive dedicated care.
“We see cardiac diastolic dysfunction in almost every case… there are patients whose diastolic dysfunction is so low/poor that they would fit well into a cardiac ward awaiting transplant…The whole idea that you can take a disease like this [ME/CFS] and exercise your way to health is foolishness. It is insane.” Dr Paul Cheyne
Useful Links
Other ME/CFS Support Organisations in NZ
A full list of other supporting organisations can be found on ANZMES.
