Info on Chronic Fatigue from the CFS Support Group

[Guest guest]

Report " What is ME? What is CFS " Information for Clinicians and Lawyers

For those who are unable to easily utilize this report in MS WORD format,

Fred Springfield had it placed on a server in both HTML and PDF formats:

HTML: http://www.best.com/~cfids/freds/cfs.htm

PDF: http://www.best.com/~cfids/freds/cfs.pdf

[Note the PDF format is best for those who may wish to print out this

report. But it requires the use of an Acrobat reader. Although most

computer come with the reader installed, if you need one, you can download

it for free at

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

____________________________________________________________________

Title: " What is ME? What is CFS " Information for Clinicians and Lawyers

Authors: E.P. Marshall, M. , M. Hooper

Date: December 2001

Contents

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- History and Classification of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

- Description of ME

- Symptoms Documented in ME

- Evidence of Abnormalities in ME

- Precipitating Factors in ME

- Physical Signs Found in ME

- Changing Definitions: History of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

- How " CFS " Displaced ME in the UK

- The UK Chief Medical Officers Report on " CFS/ME

- Caution needed by Lawyers

- Conclusion

ALSO:

The CFIDS Association of America has released the first national public

service announcement (PSA) on CFIDS for television, featuring U.S. Surgeon

General Dr. Satcher. The PSA emphasizes that CFS is a serious, complex

medical disorder that can affect people of all races and walks of life. Dr.

Satcher validates the illness, saying that " We may not know the cause of

[CFIDS], but the pain and suffering are real. "

Background

Since 1995, CFIDS patients have been asking the U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services (HHS) during meetings of the CFS Coordinating Committee

(CFSCC) to fund and distribute a PSA on the illness. A PSA is a short

message designed for radio, print or television distribution that informs

the general public about a particular issue and promotes positive actions,

such as those encouraging better safety or health.

In late October 2001, HHS agreed to lend the use of their studio for the

PSA, and video footage of Dr. Satcher and several local Washington, D.C.

CFIDS patients was shot there. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards Dr. Satcher

announced that he would be leaving office in February 2002, which imposed a

severe time limitation on production of the PSA. HHS did not provide funds

for production and distribution, but the CFIDS Association rose to the task.

Thanks to help from Jon Sterling, Chairman of the Association's Board of

Directors and the guiding force behind the PSA, the Association's public

relations firm and a producer for a national news program who was willing to

edit the video footage pro bono, the PSA was completed for release on time.

To view the 30-second PSA, visit the Association's web site at

http://www.cfids.org/about/psa-intro.asp.

Distribution

A media alert announcing the availability of the PSA on CFIDS has been sent

to more than 500 television stations across the nation. Broadcast-ready

tapes are also being mailed to a select group of reporters.

Patients are also invited to give the CFIDS Association names of television

reporters or producers in their local area who have shown a previous

interest in CFIDS, so that we can ensure they are notified about the PSA.

Send your suggestions to rmbrehio@...

Transcript Availability

The Association's CFIDS PSA can be adapted into radio or print PSAs that

patients or support groups can distribute in their local area. If you would

like a copy of the PSA script to use in your own awareness efforts, please

send an e-mail to lmoseley@... or call the Resource Line at

704-365-2343.

Brehio

Director of Communications

The CFIDS Association of America

Advocacy, Information, Research and Encouragement

for the CFIDS Community

PO Box 220398, Charlotte NC 28222-0398

Voice Mail: 800/442-3437

Resource Line: 704/365-2343

Fax: 704/365-9755

WWW: http://www.cfids.org

General E-mail: info@...