The Dr. Oz show covered ME/CFS today, XMRV & how it’s related. I missed it because I was at the ENT but I did find a link to the Dr. Oz website that does a great job of covering ME/CFS. The website discusses how until this XMRV news came out, CFS received very little consideration. Here is what Dr. Oz has to say about ME/CFS & XMRV:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has received relatively little consideration since it was first described in 1988, but the recent finding published in the prestigious journal Science showing an association between CFS and a retrovirus, XMRV has focused media and medical attention on this serious, devastating and debilitating neuroimmune condition. While there are some people with CFS (PWC) who are able to continue working and doing some of their activities of daily living, there are also many at the opposite end of the spectrum who are bed-ridden, completely disabled, and can’t even get to the bathroom without assistance. While CFS doesn’t kill many people, it does take away their lives and, in many cases, their livelihood.
CFS affects anywhere between 1 and 4 million Americans, but many more may “carry” XMRV. It affects people of any age, race, or socioeconomic group. It most commonly affects women 20–50; women are affected about 4 times more commonly than men. In teens and children, the average age of onset is 11.5. As teens, males and females are equally affected, but males tend to do a little better after puberty, whereas females tend to do worse.
While there are many middle-aged women who feel that they’re “tired all the time,” we have to distinguish between Chronic Fatigue SYNDROME and “chronic fatigue.” This confusion is because CFS was a poor name choice, akin to calling Parkinson’s disease “chronic shaking” or calling tuberculosis “chronic cough.” Other more appropriate names for CFS include the British choice myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and XAND (X Associated Neuroimmune Disease.)
Dr. Oz also covers the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS and stresses that ME/CFS is not just the normal “tired” that most people feel.
He goes on to say what ME/CFS is NOT:
CFS is NOT “all in your head.” We have known for years that it clearly has a biological basis and the new findings associating it with the retrovirus XMRV (xenotropic murine leukemia-virus related virus) is just one more piece of evidence confirming that. While we do not yet know whether XMRV is a causative factor for CFS, a “piggy-back” virus, or a virus that PWC react differently to than others, we do know that CFS is NOT “psychosomatic” or a over-reaction to stress. We also know that CFS is NOT a manifestation of depression.
Please read all of the article on the Dr. Oz website at the link below.
Mike says
Sandy,
Doctor Oz rocks. CFS is more serious than most people realize. Often we think of people with CFS as lazy or slackers and not as having a real problem.
Marriages, careers, and dreams are destroyed by this disease everyday.
Thank you
Mike
Diane says
I’ve been on D-ribose for a year to improve my problems with chronic fatigue syndrome. I’m still chronically tired as I’d forgotten to increase the amount from one scoop of the powder to up to 4 to 6 per day. I’m starting 3 scoops per day now and will see how it goes. I went off of it for a few weeks to see if I could feel a difference and I really could. There was a drastic difference between not taking any and just one scoop. The simple explanation is that D-ribose creates the ATP that your body’s cells do not.
Phyllis M. Boehm says
I have diabetes II, IBS, and fibromyalgia (so I’ve been told). I also have excessive sweating that my doctor says there is no help for (I have had all the tests available for it). I am also overweight 80 to 90 lbs. Are these or some related? I know one must affect the other. What is the best way for me to proceed to help myself without traditional medication. I have a doctor, go regularly and take medication for diabetes II, High blood pressure, fibromylalgia, acid reflux. I realize I did not list some of these above. I feel constantly tired, no energy, many leg ache and head aches. I do not fit the symptoms of depression, but yet I have no motivation to do tasks, both work and pleasure. I do not have other symptoms of depression – such as sadness, crying, etc. Can you give me an opinion based on this information?
HealingWellGirl says
Dear Phyllis,
I’m no one but another “chronic fatiguer” but have you eliminated all forms of grains and starches from your diet? For many, acid reflux resolves quickly once all forms of gluten are removed. Other inflammatory substances might be thinks like diary or soy products or eggs, etc. If you haven’t ventured into elimination diets yet, it’s challenging at first but well worth the effort. It may not be a total cure but it could make a big difference. Myself I’ve had to do that and also reduce sulfur concentrated foods which has brought my muscle discomfort and sensations way, way down. Keep looking and stay curious! – All the best
Nancy says
I am curious how many people diagnosed with CFS and Fibromyalgia have been on statin drugs. I am finding in my statin damage groups that after we suffer from side effects from statins a common diagnosis for us is either CFS and Fibro. It seems that these diseases were discovered shortly after statins where introduced. I also believe that CFS is caused by a mitochondrial dysfunction and statins do alter mitochondria. Do you agree with me and is there a way to do a study on how many of us were exposed to toxic statins. I also would like you opinion on why when a patient has clear side effects from statins most doctors say it has nothing to do with statins. I am also finding this a common trend. It seems like some doctors are readily handing out the prescriptions but are not aware of side effects, contraindicated drugs or how to diagnose statin damage. Why would the FDA approve such a drug when people who suffer cannot get adequate help?