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Here's a sample "fwd" email about Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to send to everyone in your address book. If you edit it to make it more personalised to your symptoms, you may receive more response
Here's your chance to help increase Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis awareness! Please read this information and tell as many people as you can. Many people wrongly assume that CFS / ME is just fatigue. Unfortunately the name is very misleading and there are actually many other debilitating symptoms that go alongside with the fatigue.
Don't just send this on, please read it first, so that you can recognise CFS / ME symptoms in your loved ones if they are suffering from it but don't know what's wrong with them.
If you would like to try to understand what it is like to have a chronic illness, then please read the Spoon Theory at http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/the_spoon_theory/
The Spoon Theory is actually written about Lupus, another chronic illness for which there is nowhere near enough public awareness. Remember it could be anyone, they don't usually look sick. Anyone you meet could be suffering from an invisible illness.
MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY / CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY IS MAY 12TH
EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT THIS DEBILITATING ILLNESS
What is Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Myalgic Encephalopathy (also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a serious, debilitating illness that can last for years, sometimes for life. The severity of the symptoms varies hugely between sufferers. Some become totally incapacitated by CFS, whereas others have fluctuations in the severity of their symptoms. People with CFS are not just tired for a long time, as the name suggests. There are many other symptoms of CFS and it is unfortunate that the name is so misleading.
The symptoms of M.E. / C.F.S. include:
extreme fatigue that has lasted at least six months and does not improve with rest
postexertional malaise (relapse of symptoms after physical or mental exertion)
non-restorative sleep, so the patient often feels more tired in the morning than they felt when they went to bed.
an intense, flu-like feeling
substantial impairment in memory/concentration
muscle pain
pain in multiple joints
headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
sore throat
tender neck or armpit lymph nodes
problems with balance or co-ordination
fever and/or chills
M.E. / C.F.S. has been classified as a syndrome, not a disease. A disease is a condition with a clearly identifiable cause, whereas a syndrome is a set of symptoms that define the condition without a single causative agent upon which to place the blame.
How Common is M.E. / C.F.S.?
Statistics about M.E. / C.F.S. vary hugely. Some estimate that 800,000 U.S. adults have M.E. / C.F.S. and approximately 80% of those are currently undiagnosed and do not know what is wrong with them
What is the Cause of M.E. / C.F.S.?
The cause of all CFS is unknown, but researchers have several theories about what the causes or triggers may be. In some cases M.E. / C.F.S. is triggered by an injury or trauma that affects the central nervous system. M.E. / C.F.S. may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
How Is M.E. / C.F.S. Diagnosed?
M.E. / C.F.S. is difficult to diagnose because there are no diagnostic tests and many of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders, such as MS, Fibromyalgia and Lupus. A diagnosis of M.E. / C.F.S. depends on laboratory tests and a detailed review of the patient’s medical history to rule out other illnesses.
How Is M.E. / C.F.S. Treated?
There is no cure-all treatment for M.E. / C.F.S. However, there are many treatments that can help a patient to control and cope with it. Management of M.E. / C.F.S. generally relies on rest, with gentle graded exercise where appropriate. The patient must modify their lifestyle to avoid situations that aggravate their symptoms and it is possible to treat some of the symptoms. For example, medications can be used to treat sleeping difficulties and headaches, which may be experienced by people with M.E. / C.F.S.
For more information, support and advice on how to cope, please visit www.diagnosesupport.com
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If you read this far, then I can't thank you enough. You have helped increase Myalgic Encephalopathy / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lupus awareness just by doing that. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone and everyone who you think may be interested, but bear in mind that the reading is the most important part. That's what helps other people, not clicking the forward button. So if you've just skipped to this part, please please go back and read the information when you have more time.
Thank you! |
