Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - The "Homeless" Condition
I hear a lot of depressing, infuriating and perplexing stories about how people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) are treated by the medical community in general, but one of the things that just dumbfounds me is that no specialty will even bother to claim ME/CFS.
Finding a doctor who is willing and able to diagnose ME/CFS is difficult enough, since many of those who believe in it still don't know much about it. Finding a doctor who can treat you effectively is even harder. Millions of people are disabled by ME/CFS, and millions more know they're sick but can't get a diagnosis. It's a travesty that no specialty has stepped up to take ownership of it.
Of course, that leads to the question, "Who SHOULD be treating it?" It's not a sleep disorder. It's not rheumatologic. The complexity takes it out of the realm of general practice. Neurotransmitters are involved, so neurologists? Hormones play a role - endocrinologists? Many cases are viral - immunologists?
What kind of doctor do you see for ME/CFS? What specialty do you think should "claim" it? Do you think anyone will claim it, as researchers uncover more about its underlying causes and mechanisms? Post your opinions here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS forum.
- Find a Doctor Who Treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Drugs Used for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Current Research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Comments
Doctor’s don’t make money finding cures. We have been treated with medications that have ruined other parts of our bodies, some made us worse and others caused us to need more meds… Thyroid and Kidneys… they are the genetic culprits. When you find a doctor that addresses those issues and adds lights for circadian rhythm, you will find relief. Until then, what ever LABEL a doctor has is almost as usless as someone who has been labeled “depressed” and given anti-depressants. A life-long curse ill diagnosed.
hopabout
I was dx’d by an Internal Specialist. I currently take Lyrica, Ultram and estrogen. However, the Lyrica and Ultram was given by an Ortho. doc. to treat RSD. I am also seeing a psych. who prescribed an antidepressant and Trazadone for my sleep issues. I’ve have yet to find one specific doctor who will treat just the fibro. It would be nice to have one, but like this article states…who is the best to deal with it? It’s very frustrating.