Story shone light on chronic fatigue

I applaud the Leader-Post’s article regarding the muchmisunderstood chronic fatigue syndrome. As a person who has suffered from this condition for 35 years, it is encouraging to see it finally getting recognition.

One of the main hurdles with CFS is having a physician take it seriously. When

I was finally diagnosed about 15 years ago my family doctor said, “You have chronic fatigue syndrome but don’t expect to get any respect for it from the medical community.” After being referred to several specialists I found no truer words have ever been spoken. Reactions ranged from mild disinterest to outright contempt. I saw a neurologist to rule out multiple sclerosis. Although my MRI showed abnormalities it did not fit the “right pattern” for MS, she said it was likely chronic fatigue syndrome and dismissed me with no further help or advice. This is in spite of the fact the World Health Organization has identified CFS/ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) as a neurological disorder. If a neurologist will not help treat a neurological illness, who will?

CFS is often misdiagnosed as MS and vice versa. They both have similar triggers and symptoms. It has been estimated about 400,000 Canadians have CFS and another 400,000 have a similar condition, fibromyalgia.

This compares to around 100,000 who have MS. The difference being that MS is recognized and treated as a serious illness with the appropriate research, support and resources to treat it.

The cost of these illnesses to individuals and the Canadian economy is in the billions of dollars. Your article was a good start the process of recognizing that CFS/FM is an epidemic and requires the same funding and support that other serious illnesses get. Howard Brass, Regina