Re: ME vs Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

[Guest guest]

Margie, wow I did not know that about America, thank you!

Shecat

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-----Original Message-----

Dr. ,

First I want to say that I appreciate all that you do to help the ME community.

Your dedication and persistence are an example to us all.

However, I feel a compulsion to finally say something that has been in my mind

for a long time. In many of your letters, you make the point that ME is not

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and explain the difference as that CFS is chronic

tiredness from any of many different causes while ME is a distinct disease. I

entirely agree with what you are saying BUT it only applies to a community that

uses the term " ME " . I have never heard or read " ME " in the context of the USA,

only on the internet from European sources. This unfortunate situation means

that many people from the US who read your comments (particularly those to whom

the term " ME " is new or unknown) see a doctor defining CFS as being only chronic

tiredness. Since we who suffer from ME in the US have only one designation and

it is CFS, your statements may inadvertently add to invalidation that so many of

us routinely experience. Obviously, this is not your intent and I am well aware

of it. However, if it would be possible for you to make this point about the US

at times, I would be extremely grateful.