Seminar by Dr. Cheney - CFS: The Heart of the Matter

[Guest guest]

" Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Heart of the Matter "

a seminar by R. Cheney, M.D., Ph.D.

September 9th, 2006

2 pm - 5 pm

Irving, TX

(between Dallas and Fort Worth)

During his three-hour presentation, Dr. Cheney will discuss his latest

research and treatment findings. These include (but are not limited to):

**Diastolic Dysfunction in CFS

Due to a lack of energy at the cellular level the hearts of CFS patients

don't fill properly with blood; this is further complicated when

patients stand. Ninety-nine percent of Dr. Cheney's CFS patients test

positive for diastolic dysfunction via echocardiograms (sonograms of the

heart).

**Patent Foramen Ovales in CFS

A PFO is a flap-valve that allows blood to flow between the two upper

chambers of the heart. Present in babies before they are born, it

usually seals shut after birth but remains in up to 20% of normal adults

in whom it can open under certain rare conditions. PFO's are unusually

common in CFS, with up to 80% of patients testing positive. The presence

of a PFO in CFS can be very problematic. The underlying reason for the

increase in PFO's in CFS may be the underlying energy deficits at the

cellular level. Dr. Cheney believes that PFO closure in CFS poses

certain risks and there are indications that his treatment protocol may

make such a procedure unnecessary for most patients.

**Therapeutic Responses to Cellular Energy Therapy as Measured by

Echocardiography

Dr. Cheney's current research treatment protocol is designed to increase

cellular energy production by restoring the function of energy systems

inside cells. The pre-treatment phase of the study improves certain

enzyme functions that are necessary for the safe production of energy.

The pre-treatment phase also protects vital organs and modulates the

immune system. One way Dr. Cheney is measuring the effectiveness of the

treatment protocol is by doing sonograms of the heart before and after

the treatment.

**Oxygen therapy in CFS

Oxygen appears to be a blessing and a curse, depending upon the dose.

Low dose oxygen appears to improve cardiac function, which has been

demonstrated by echocardiographic parameters sensitive to cellular

energetics. However, higher doses of oxygen appear to cause significant

toxicity to the heart in general and to the main pumping chamber in

particular. This unusual sensitivity to oxygen toxicity appears related

to the nature of the underlying defects responsible for reduced cellular

energy.

The Speaker

Dr. Cheney was one of the doctors who recognized an outbreak of

" something " in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe in 1984 and called in the

CDC. He has treated approx. 5000 patients with CFIDS from at least 48

states and 15 countries. He has published numerous articles in peer

reviewed medical journals and lectured around the world on the subject

of CFS. Dr. Cheney was a founding Director of the International

Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (IACFS), a professional

association of scientists and clinicians.

He has held research positions in tumor immunology at the CDC in

Atlanta, the Departments of Pharmacology and Radiation Oncology at Emory

University School of Medicine, and the prestigious Wistar Institute on

the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Cheney was Chief of

Medicine at Mountain Home Air Force Base hospital in Mountain Home,

Idaho and Chief of Medicine at Lakeshore Hospital on the North Shore of

Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, NV.

Dr. Cheney has authored or co-authored publications and scientific

presentations in many fields relevant to CFS, including immunology,

virology, clinical epidemiology, metabolism, neuropsychology,

neuroendocrinology, and exercise physiology. He currently practices in

Asheville, NC.

Seminar Location

Irving Civic Center Complex

825 West Irving Blvd.

Irving TX

The seminar will be in the City Council Chambers which are to the left

of the lobby/atrium in the Civic Center. From Hwy 183, take the Irving

Blvd. exit south to the Irving Civic Center Complex. Look for the

flagpoles and park in front. If you go too far, you'll see a huge

fountain and the Irving Library - time for a U-turn. There is also a

parking garage behind city hall on Rock Island Road. (This is the same

location as our last three annual events.)

Admission / RSVPs - None!

There is no admission fee for this event. No RSVPs are needed. About 200

seats will be available on a first-come first-seated basis.

DVD 2-disc set

The event is being taped and we expect to sell a 2-disc DVD set.

Ordering information will be posted when the DVDs are available.

This event is jointly sponsored by the CFS/FM Support Group of Dallas -

Fort Worth and the City of Irving Public Health Department.=20

www.dfwcfids.org

May be reposted.