M.E. vs CFS vs SEID
CFS SEID
• Chronic Fatigue
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
7" Living with Chronic Fatigue is NOT theÄ\
same as having Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome (CFS).
the proposed criteria for Systemic
Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID).
CFS (or SEID) qualify for a
diagnosis of Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis (ME).
ME is not CFS or SEID.
'I' How do some of the top organizations
differentiate between M.E. and CFS?
CDC
Disæse Contrd
and Prevention
WHO
World
Intermtiorwl
Classifimtion Of
10M
Institute Of
Medicine
"ME is accompanied by neurologic and muscular signs and
has a case definition distinct from that of CFS."
Diagnoses of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/R53.82 and
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/G93.3 "should never be used at
the same time" because the "two conditions cannot OCCUr
together."
"...a diagnosis of CFS is not equivalent to a diagnosis of
LISTEN!
Many think CFS ISN'T REAL or is its own disease.
BOTH ARE WRONG.
All people diagnosed with CFS are very ill, just notwith the same
condition. CFS is a heterogeneous (mixed) category intended to study
debilitating fatigue that is yet unexplained by any other condition. It is
not one single disease; it is the absence of a proper diagnosis.
Think you know
what makes an
M.E. diagnosis?
LET'S
FIND OUT
REQUIRED
ME
Acute (sudden) post-viral onset
Unique muscle fatiguability whereby even after a
minor degree of physical effort, 3, H, S days or
longer elapse before full muscle power is restored
neurological (autonomic and sensory) dysfunction
Circulatory impairment
Cognitive dysfuntion
Chronic fatigue of unknown origin that interferes
with daily living
Symptoms must be present for 6 or more
consecutive months to qualify for diagnosis
Diagnosis dependent on ruling out other known
potential causes for symptoms
Painful/tender lymph nodes
Post-exertional malaise
Unrefreshing sleep
CFS
SEID
An "optional requirement"; one could get diagnosed in its absence by having one of the other options
Myalgic
encephalomyelitis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Systemic Exertion
Intolerance Disease
ALL CAN BE FATAL
Deaths may occur from:
Late diagnosis leading to disease rnisrnanagrnent; forced
exercise under "CFS" guidelines; neurodegeneratio dorsal
root ganglionitis, opportunistic infections, heart fälure,
rare and/or early-onset cancers, pancreatitis, and suicide
Diagnosis of CFS instead of actual disease process(es)
causing syrrrptorns, resulting in late or absent treatrnent
Diagnosis Of SEID instead Of actual disease process(es)
causing syrnptorns, resulting in late or absent treatrnent
Further exploration into thy cause of yoursymptoms STOPS with a CFS diagnosis.
Illnesses commonly misdiagnosed as CFS include:
Viral infections and associated post-viral fatigue syndromes (e.g. following Epstein-
Barr Virus, * HHV-6, * HHV-7, * CMV, * and others); Bacterial infections (L YME DISEASE, *
Bartonellosis, Bobesiosis, * and others); Myasthenia gravis*; Fibromyalgio*; Addison's
disease; Multiple sclerosis*; Mitochondrial myopathy*; Lupus (SLE)*; Post-polio
syndrome*; and many, many more
* also causes worsening of symptoms after activity and/or sensory input with
delayed and/or prolonged recovery, aka Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)
For an
extended list
- lease visit
hfme.org/misdiagnosis.htm
Different coumupSUsetgifjerent
classic "efiniti@itor diagæ9s.
us m oms o
a mos awa s rescn
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Episodic cold sweats in the absence of fever
Sleep-Wake Rhythm Reversal or alteration
Frequent micturition (due to autonomic
dysfunction)
Hyperacusis (many experience a degree of
permanent hearing loss)
The degree of PAIN and FATIGUE a person with
ME experiences can range from non-existent to
completely disabling; depends on numerous
factors; and can be the result of the disease
process itself or complications from ME; 250/0 •
are housebound and/or bedbound; some are
$ Rapid fluctuation of symptoms within same day
terminally ill. •
Myalgic encephalomyelitis can strike ANYONE after a viral infection and has
occurred in OVER 120 EPIDEMICS since 1934; these outbreaks are still silently
happening. While both CFS and SEID require symptoms be present for at least 6
months in order to obtain a diagnosis, ME can be diagnosed by an expert within
WEEKS and early diagnosis & management are CRUCIAL to preventing permanent
damage and disease progression. However, despite its specificity being
recognized by leading organizations such as the CDC and WHO, most
physicians have never heard of ME thus proper diagnosis in time is
extremely unlikely. Research studies performed using mixed
"ME/CFS" patient groups and varying post-viral fatigue
syndromes rarely show consistency, causing many doctors to
The
FACTS
AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
believe both ME and CFS are mental rather than physical
entities. The most severely afflicted have trouble breathing,
swallowing, digesting, talking, sitting up, or moving their
limbs due to exertion-induced paralytic muscle fatigue,
and need a level of care comparable to that of those living
with motor neurone disease.
In 2014, Encephalomyelitis Disseminata (aka
multiple sclerosis) received $102 million in funding from
the National Institutes of Health (NIH); Lupus received
$99 million; CFS received $5 million; there is no NIH
For references
and more,
please visit:
funding strictly for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis=
arainbowatnight.com/whatisME
and
a rainbowatnight.com/mecfs
Learn the facts.
Be gour own advocate.
Push for an accurate diagnosis.