People with ME can experience debilitating fatigue that is not explained by any other condition. The illness can appear suddenly, but often develops slowly over months or even years. It appears to be triggered by infections, particularly, but not exclusively, viral infections. Herpesviruses, enteroviruses and Q fever have all been suggested as possible triggers. Studies have shown that people who have ME/CFS following long Covid-19 infection can have similar symptoms to those with ME/CFS before they got the virus.
A diagnosis of ME/CFS is made based on the person’s medical history, pattern of symptoms and exclusion of other diseases that could cause similar symptoms. There is no specific laboratory test for ME/CFS and misdiagnosis is common. The most effective way to get a proper diagnosis is for the person with ME/CFS to keep a detailed record of their symptoms, and present it to their GP or specialist.
People who have ME/CFS often have one or more additional conditions (comorbidities). These include fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain and unrefreshing sleep), irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS, increased heart rate when bending over) and mast cell disorders (hives, allergy issues). ME/CFS is also known to occur up to two to four times more frequently in women than in men, and can begin at any age but is usually diagnosed in adolescents and young adults.
ME/CFS can be difficult to diagnose and is a hidden illness, which means that the number of people with the condition may be underestimated. In some countries, doctors are poorly trained to recognise ME/CFS, and in others the criteria for diagnosing ME/CFS are not clearly defined. In both cases, patients can be denied access to proper healthcare.
The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to meet the needs of people with CFS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, now renamed ME or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)/CFS or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. Our mission is to advocate for quality care, advance research toward a cure and serve as the voice of the ME/CFS community worldwide.
This version of Who Am I? contains the original musical score, and features Jackie Chan in his original spoken English. The other domestic releases of this film have been dubbed in Cantonese. This film is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and VHS.