A Hummingbirds Guide to ME Newsletter - December 2006

[Guest guest]

The Misdiagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A new paper in 2 parts

There are now more than 9 different definitions of CFS. Despite the fact that

the new name and definition of CFS were originally created in a response to

an outbreak of what was unmistakably Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, this new name

and definition did not describe the known signs, symptoms, history and

pathology of M.E. The same is true of each of the subsequent definitions. So

what is

defined by these definitions? What does a diagnosis of Fukuda (CDC), Oxford, or

Australian CFS actually mean?

The first part of this paper looks at each of these questions.

The second part of this paper is comprised of a list comparing the symptoms

of some of the illnesses commonly misdiagnosed as CFS, with several of the most

common CFS definitions.

As with all original papers on my website, both of these new texts may be

downloaded in Word or PDF format, both together or singly.

Part one (by far the more important part) is only 3 pages long. This includes

a full reference list and list of additional resources from some of the

world's leading M.E. experts and the paper is also fully referenced throughout.

This paper in particular is especially designed to be widely redistributed both

to doctors and sufferers.

I've had this paper in draft form for the LONGEST time and am so happy to be

able to make it public now. These are vitally important questions and issues

for everyone who has a CFS or M.E. diagnosis, as well as for any doctor who

diagnoses patients with CFS or M.E. themselves (as well as for government).

See: http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/misdiagnosis.htm

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The first audio essay is available!

An mp3 file of the 2 page summary of 'Testing for M.E.' is now available in

spoken word format, as an mp3 download. The new 'Audio and Video' page also

features a list of other audio and video resources on M.E.

I plan to add another new audio file each month, so stay tuned for more!

See: http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/topicaudioandvideo.htm

(Plus a big thank you to Colin for his post production services.)

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The Nightingale Definition of M.E. by Dr Byron Hyde

This paper is a must-read for anyone with M.E. This is simply an excellent

definition of M.E. by Dr Hyde.

This is not a definition or redefinition of 'CFS' but is purely a M.E.

definition, which of course is not the same thing at all! This paper also (quite

rightly) warns of the dangers of renaming CFS, as some groups are unfortunately

trying to do. (If successful this would place patients in an even more

impossible situation than we are in currently.)

This is the kind of paper M.E. sufferers and advocates have been waiting for!

For a definition of pure M.E. that is not tainted by 'CFS' or by the bogus

concept of 'fatigue' and which draws on the long history of M.E., as well as

each of the world's past and present M.E. experts and then adds the newest

medical advances as well.

Links to this excellent paper are available at:

http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/whyde.htm