A Medical Alert? Please!
April 22, 2006 by Adelle Tilton
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I received in my email today a “medical alert.” I was feeling a bit on the edgy side already but having this come in as an “alert” was more than a little irritating. The medical alert, which is supposed to be about news and research, was titled, “What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?” Slow news day I guess.
The only thing I took from this was a good solid list about what needs to be ruled out before a diagnosis of CFS can be made.
- alcohol or substance abuse
- autoimmune disease
- bipolar affective disorders
- cancer
- chronic mononucleosis
- eating disorders
- hormonal disorders
- hypothyroidism
- major depressive disorders
- multiple chemical sensitivities
- myalgic encephalomyelitis
- neurasthenia
- obesity
- reactions to prescription drugs
- schizophrenia
- sleep apnea and narcolepsy
- subacute infections
- fibromyalgia syndrome
I have noted in red two of the “rule-out” conditions. One is the British and European name for CFS – myalgic encephalomyelitis IS the name for CFS everywhere but the United States. I also noted fibromyalgia, as there is great debate on the legitimacy of considering FM to be a distinct entity from CFS.
Two steps forward and one and one-half steps back. That is just the way it is for CFS and FM patients. A little research is good. A lot of clarification would almost be better.
It would be a tough choice.
