People with ME often have a difficult time getting the support they need. They can be unable to work and their children may be too unwell to attend school. They are also often stigmatised and discriminated against, which can lead to isolation and depression.
There are many reasons why people get ME, including genetics, a viral infection, or major life stressors. It is not clear why some people recover from ME while others remain severely ill for years. People with ME are also more likely to have other illnesses such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune conditions, which can be difficult to treat.
ME is a complex condition that can cause a range of symptoms, from feeling like you have flu to being bedbound. It is a relapsing-remitting illness, which means that you can improve and then have a relapse. Some of the most serious symptoms include post-exertional malaise, where you have a worsening of your symptoms after physical or mental activity. Other symptoms may include headaches, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, memory problems, trouble thinking and difficulty concentrating.
People who have ME can be very ill, and most are unable to work full or part-time and three out of four people with the most severe form are housebound or bedbound at some point. Some people are so ill that they cannot leave their homes and require around the clock care.
The cause of ME is not known, although it can be triggered by an infection such as influenza, gastroenteritis, or shingles. It is also thought that some people can become ill after immunisations or by physical trauma such as an operation or a car accident. However, in most cases it is not possible to identify the trigger.
People with ME can be very ill, but there are ways to help them manage their lives and live as fully as possible. They can join a local ME/CFS support group, such as ALISS or Action for ME, and receive peer support and information about health and social care services. There is also a wealth of online resources available.
It is important for everyone to understand what ME is, as well as how to support someone who has it. A lack of understanding can mean that patients can experience disbelief and discrimination from friends, family, health and social care professionals and employers.
ME can be difficult to diagnose, as there is no specific laboratory test for it. It is most commonly diagnosed by excluding other causes of the person’s symptoms and using one of several sets of criteria. Patients are also likely to have had a series of tests already, such as blood tests for inflammatory markers or thyroid function.