I’ve often wondered if ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) would be better classed as a neurological disease. Now many experts are thinking along that line. Here’s why. Even though there may be bacterial and virological triggers to this horrible, life-altering illness, certain experts within scientific circles are in agreement that CFS should be reclassified as a neurological disease in the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM in recognition of the current scientific understanding of CFS and its classification in the ICD-10 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Below you’ll find the latest information on the proposal submitted to the CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC), an advisory committee, created under the Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) statue and regulations. Feel free to leave a comment or any new information you have.

Thanks so much, Cinda Crawford

[Submitted to Co-Cure.org by Mike Munoz ]

Please see below announcement from the Coalition for ME/CFS. We will be presenting the ICD proposal, today (Wednesday) in Baltimore, Maryland, September 14, 2011.

Coalition for ME/CFS, ICD Announcement, September 12, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Contact: Corin Ramos, Walson Communications
Cell Phone: 714-865-4147
Email: corin@walsonpr.com

*Coral Gables, FL, September 12, 2011* – The Coalition 4 ME/CFS on July 15, 2011, submitted a proposal to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) for reclassification of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as a neurological disease in the United States… .

For: International Classification of Diseases-10-CM (ICD-10-CM) and International Classification of Diseases-9-CM (ICD-9-CM). The proposal was accepted for review at the upcoming meeting of the Coordination and Maintenance Committee at the Center for Medicare Services (CMS), in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 14, 2011.

The proposal request is supported by past and current recommendations from the CFS Advisory Committee (CFSAC), an advisory committee, created under the Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) statue and regulations. The proposal request is to reclassify CFS as a neurological disease in the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM in recognition of the current scientific understanding of CFS and its classification in the ICD-10 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The goal of this proposal is to ensure alignment with ICD-10 under WHO and the clinical modifications embraced by other countries, and to ensure alignment with the best current case definition for CFS, which includes both viral and bacterial triggers,” stated Mike Munoz, a member of the Coalition 4 ME/CFS steering committee.

The WHO publishes the ICD, which is used by more than 100 countries to
standardize how diseases are classified. In the ICD-10, which is the current global standard, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), and CFS are all classified under Neurological Diseases. “This proposal is a stepwise change that will separate cases of ME/CFS from cases of unspecified chronic fatigue and depression, and in the process, signal to the medical community the seriousness of this disease,” said Lori Chapo-Kroger, another steering committee member.

It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that at least one million individuals in the U.S. and 17 million worldwide (National Institutes of Health) are stricken with this debilitating, disabling, and sometimes fatal disease. The annual economic cost in the U.S. for ME/CFS according to a recent study published in the Journal of Dynamic Medicine-Bio Med Central, by Jason et al., from DePaul University is estimated to be between 18 and 23 billion dollars. Marly Silverman, another member of the current Coalition 4 ME/CFS steering committee added: “The approval for review of this historical proposal by the NCHS, highlights the fact that current science is bringing government health agencies, researchers and patient advocacy groups together to collaborate, leading to results that will improve quality of life for patients afflicted with ME/CFS in the U.S.”

The Coalition 4 ME/CFS supports our scientific research community in the efforts of retiring the name chronic fatigue syndrome and the acronym CFS. It supports a worldwide collaborative and accepted case definition, with well-defined diagnostic criteria and guidelines for implementation of well-devised treatment standards. Although the coalition recognizes pragmatically the effort and time needed to drive this welcome change across all clinical, research, legal, disability, and insurance disciplines in the U.S., we believe our ICD-10-CM and ICD-9-CM proposal initiative contributes to a productive timely result.

We acknowledge and express gratitude to Mary Dimmock, who prepared the proposal request with solid expertise and diligence on behalf of the Coalition 4 ME/CFS. We thank the Coalition 4 ME/CFS steering committee for their unwavering commitment to this project. We acknowledge CFSAC members who have voted for the recommendations that this proposal supports. We appreciate the support of physicians and researchers who provided expert input to the proposal.

To read the proposal and get more information, visit the coalition website.

*About NeuroEndocrineImmune Diseases (NEIDs)*NeuroEndocrineImmune diseases include fibromyalgia (FM), chronic Lyme disease (CLD), multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), Gulf War illnesses (GWI), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS is also known in Europe and other countries as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

*About Coalition four ME/CFS was founded on March 1, 2011. The mission of the coalition is to engage and mobilize governmental health agencies, the private biomedical industry, researchers, health care providers, and the public toward finding a cure for ME/CFS and related NeuroEndocrineImmune diseases.

Coalition members are the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia Organization of Georgia, Inc., CFS Knowledge Center, CFS Solutions of West Michigan, PANDORA, Inc. (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy, Inc.), Phoenix Rising, Rocky Mountain CFS/ME & FM Association (RMCFA), Vermont CFIDS Association, Inc., and Wisconsin ME/CFS Association, Inc.
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*Visit the coalition on Facebook.
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*Visit Cinda’s new page for chronic illnesses on Facebook and “like” it today!

*Follow the coalition on Twitter.
*Follow Cinda Crawford on Twitter.

Stay informed. Come back to the Health Matters Show blog and podcast often. “Could ME/CFS be a Neurological Disease?” is just one topic of many!

On a previous blog post and podcast about CFS symptoms, I listed only the basic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms, but now it’s time to dig deeper and talk about what’s on the Additional CFS Symptom List. It a whoppingly big list and one that you’ll need to study carefully if you have a new case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or if you’ve suffered with it for awhile. It’s worth your time and effort.

Today I’ll hit upon most all standard CFS symptoms and related problems. For any additional symptoms that you want to discuss, please leave a comment below. Truly, CFS is by itself a complicated illness. When you add it everything else on this “additional CFS symptom list”, you truly have one messy, revolting and un-friendly illness that no one wants and is tough to get rid of.

My friends and acquaintances find this out daily. CFS is yucky!! They don’t like being sick. They don’t have good answers.

When I was so sick, I stopped counting everything that was wrong with me. (Now I say that a bit tongue-in-cheek. No one should ignore a physical symptom. It may not be something that will wait. If you have cancer, heart or blood pressure problems or such an under-active Immune System that your life is truly threatened, you may be glad to paid attention to every single health problem.)

But what I do mean by it is that almost everything my doctor tested me for, I had.

(13 minutes 10 seconds)

Today, we’re talking about:

1. Fibromyalgia Syndrome
2. Depression/ Psychological symptoms /li>
3. Lupus
4. Lyme Disease
5. Sjogren’s Syndrome
6. Thyroid Dysfunction
7. IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
8. Chills or night sweats
9. Hyper-Sensitivites (e.g. skin, light, noise, etc.)
10. Visual and Hearing disturbances
11. Allergic problems
12. Difficulty sitting up or standing
13. Sleep Dysfunction

I hope you enjoy this video and circulate it widely. This information needs to be available to a lot of people.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

Can Anti-oxidants ease Gulf War Syndrome and CFS? One study finds the following:

By Kelly Kennedy, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Anti-oxidant supplements can significantly reduce the symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome, suffered by tens of thousands of veterans, according to research to be presented Monday to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The study by Beatrice Golomb of the medical school at the University of California-San Diego tested the value of giving doses of the coenzyme Q10 to veterans of the Persian Gulf War. “Every single one of them … improved,” Golomb said, adding that there was improvement for all 20 symptoms. “For it to have been chance alone is under one in a million.”

More than 20 years after the end of the Gulf War, the 1990-91 conflict that liberated Kuwait after an invasion by Iraq, Golomb’s study is the first research that offers potential relief for sufferers of Gulf War Syndrome, said Jim Binns, chairman of the federal panel investigating the condition.

Roughly one in four of the 697,000 veterans of the war has Gulf War illness, according to the federal Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses. Symptoms include memory and concentration problems, chronic headaches, widespread pain, gastrointestinal problems and chronic fatigue.

“It is the first medication study to show a significant improvement of a major symptom of Gulf War illness in the history of Gulf War illness
research,” said Binns, the committee chairman. Although it’s not a cure, Binns said, and requires further research, “it is extremely encouraging.”

Golomb said the treatments helped veterans with headaches, inability to focus and fatigue after exertion. There were also unexpected benefits, she said, such as fewer symptoms for participants suffering from chronic diarrhea and improved blood pressure levels. She worked with 46 veterans.

Golomb found that those with Gulf War illness (i.e. Gulf War Syndrome) had the same list of symptoms as those with genetic mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondria convert oxygen and glucose into cell energy. The brain and the muscles use more energy than other parts of the body, so those organs are affected first by the disorder.

“Oxidated stress (i.e. oxidative stress) can come from a lot of bad things in the environment,” Golomb said, explaining that causes the problems in the mitochondria. Her past research has involved chemical exposures in the Persian Gulf, such as sarin gas, pesticides and anti-nerve-agent pills.

The unpublished results will be released at a committee meeting at the VA .

The research was funded by the Defense Department through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
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Personally I’ve used Coenzyme Q10 off and on for years. It really helps with oxidative stress, a problem that all of us face. Looks like I better add it back to my daily regimen. Many thanks to USA today for addressing Anti-oxidants ease Gulf War Syndrome and surely the impact this can have on CFS folks, too!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Let’s suppose you’re making a valiant effort right now: your theme song is Balancing My Life with Fibromyalgia and the tune is not so sweet. I’m guessing that you need some help. In the previous posts on this topic, Fibromyalgia video #1 and Fibromyalgia video #2, you can find some very valuable information. Today in tip #3, we’re talking about hopes, dreams and reaching your goals of wellness.

See please take a look at today’s video, then proceed deeper into the post for more thoughts. There may even be a challenge or two that will get you thinking.

Okay, here is the challenge. Begin by asking yourself these questions: (this all assumes you’re tired of being sick with Fibromyalgia!)

• How do you see yourself participating in life up to this point?
• Do you have an idea of how you will get well?
• If you do participate and are active, what methods will you employ to reach your goals?

Please don’t pin all your hopes and dreams on a magic pill or one magic theory that could have flaws. There is so much yet-to-be-discovered information and answers for both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The key is to keep an open mind and keep on searching for the right answers for you.

There is absolutely no one who wants to hear you singing your song, Balancing My Life with Fibromyalgia, with more joy, more spirit or more success than I do. The key is finding out how to do it!

Thanks so much for joining the Health Matters Show today and this special Fibromyalgia video.

I’m Cinda Crawford, your host.

Breaking News: It’s not everyday that we can claim that researchers discover CFS proteins, but now we can. Over 700, in fact! Take a look at Seth Augenstein’s article from the The Star-Ledger that I’m featuring on the Health Matters Show today:

Researchers this afternoon said they have found more than 700 proteins unique to the spinal fluids of people who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a discovery that could verify that the often scoffed at ailment is real, according to a report by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

(They also found as many proteins in spinal fluid for Lyme disease, too.)

(6 minutes 43 seconds)

…the UMDNJ work identifies a protein trail that may eventually lead microbiological sleuths to find out what causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and how it can be treated.

‘It’s evidence that there’s biological stuff involved … that it’s not imagined,’ said Steven Schutzer, the lead researcher.

Schutzer, a UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School physician and scientist who specializes in Lyme disease research, worked with colleagues at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington. Together they zeroed in on the spinal fluid — a “liquid window to the brain,” as Schutzer calls it — to distinguish biological differences between Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. The work did just that, using an advanced mass spectrometer technique to identify hundreds of proteins unique to each condition and sort out protein differences between Lyme, chronic fatigue and a group of healthy test subjects.

The Lyme findings — nearly 700 distinct proteins — are a discovery in their own right. But the chronic fatigue connection to specific biology is being embraced by groups that advocate against the disease.

“They looked at a really important fluid, using a really advanced technology — and they found clear differences,” said Suzanne Vernon, the scientific director for the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America. “I’m very excited about this — you can’t dispute these biological
findings,” Vernon added.

The UMDNJ study is based solely on biology, Schutzer said. He said his results heavily favor a biological and physical component to the syndrome, but the true proof of a cause — and a treatment — can only be determined by further research into the hundreds of proteins counted up in the mass spectrometer.

Vernon said the UMDNJ discovery is an important one for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients — especially after the British study. “If there’s not a medical explanation for why you’re sick, it’s devastating,” she said.

Personally, I find this exciting. Yes, CFS is a multi-faceted illness. The proteins are indicative that something major is going on. Are there psychological components to CFS? You bet. Who wouldn’t be affected by having their life and health turned upside down? Our emotions play a huge part in whether we get sick or not and who is able to heal of not.

Well, folks, to me that’s obvious. There are. 700 and counting to be specific. Plus, there are 700 additional tie-ins to Lyme Disease that scientists didn’t know about until now also.

Once again it’s time for us to hold on to our proverbial hats. I say bring on the data, the research and definitely more understanding. That’s what it’s going to take to clear up this huge controversy of whether CFS is a significant, bona-fide illness or something much less. You and I know it’s real. Soon…the rest of the world will know just “how real” it is, too!

Thanks for stopping by the Health Matters Show blog and podcast today, where people learn all kind of data about living with and getting well from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

I’m Cinda Crawford, your host

*And please, take the time and make the effort to circulate this news about the CFS and Lyme proteins. Blog it, Facebook it, Twitter it, Digg it, Delicious it…all of the above. Thanks! Your comments welcomed below, as always. YOU are the reason why this blog exists!

In addition to last week’s Health Matters Show on viruses, it’s important to know that scientists are also using viruses as other types of delivery vehicles, namely to fight cancer.

EXAMPLE: for years Duke University has worked to develop a vaccine for glioblastoma brain tumors. To learn more about their research and patient care program, of which Duke University is a leader, check out the link to this research.

It’s been a long, difficult, expensive road for Duke, the patients and the families affected by the glioblastoma cancers, but the research is making impressive progress.

(7 minutes 6 seconds)

Quite a few years ago, my aunt was killed by a glioblastoma brain tumor and she died prematurely, her body otherwise quite healthy. She was a test subject and avid patient and supporter of Duke. They estimated that she lived at least six to nine months longer than she would have, if she had done nothing. Test results indicate that this time period has lengthened, as the research and treatment improves. I am so grateful that my aunt’s quality of life was darned good until the end.

The research is continuing to show progress in this area and I encourage you to look into this for yourself if you are in need of help and information about glioblastoma cancers. But, in the end, decide for yourself what is best for you.

Find information about how they are conducting research on the peptides drawn from tumors with heat shock proteins. They even used this research to aid the late Senator Edward Kennedy in his fight to overcome glioblastoma brain cancer.

Also, be sure to check out this basic information video resource below. It will acquaint you with how the immune system works to fight off a foreign invader. It’s a simple explanation that goes a long way towards helping you understand the process of how your immune system must be working well if it is to do its part in helping you fight off every disease-promoting entity that comes your way. Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, cancers and more. Surely, there are a lot of them! Not all come in the form of a virus, but they still challenge your immune system none the less. This video is provided by Discovery Health.

Thank you so much and work toward keeping your immune system strong!
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Man’s history of fighting viruses has been a sordid tale, sometimes so interwoven in medical science jargon and reports, the average person gets lost in trying to understand the basics, much less the complex research involved with generating a vaccine from viruses themselves. Here’s sample information about viruses that is truly helping us. Yes, we truly are generating vaccines for specific illnesses.

As reported by St. Jude’s Hospital, one virus, the Sendai virus, acts as a carrier for another virus, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Scientists know more about Sendai virus and can work with it better than ever. Keep in mind that respiratory syncytial virus or RSV infects lots of children each year and scientists are seeking better ways to have it be less invasive on the young immune systems of children. Infection with an RSD virus puts significant pressure on their immunity!

“We’re now building on the hPIV-1 findings and looking at a vaccine where the Sendai virus acts as a carrier,” says Allen Portner, PhD, of St. Jude Infectious Diseases.

Portner is leading studies that use a technique called reverse genetics to convert the Sendai virus’ RNA into DNA. “At this stage, we can put any gene we want into this Sendai virus DNA,” Portner says. Using this technique, Toru Takimoto, PhD, and Sateesh Krishnamurthy, PhD, inserted genes for specific RSV proteins into Sendai virus, thereby generating a vaccine specific for the RSV.

Portner says the St. Jude vaccine research using Sendai virus could eventually translate into protection for some of the world’s most common respiratory diseases. “There isn’t a population out there that isn’t touched by such infections.” he says. “Just like mumps and measles, this is another disease for which kids could get vaccines.”

I’ll keep you apprised of new information along this line as I come across it. You’ll also see this topic covered at my Get Well Health website, too, because every single one of us, whether we suffer with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, arthritis, Lupus, chronic Lyme or whatever…are subject to being infected with viruses. I believe in being forewarned so that you don’t get this kind of uncomfortable and unhealthy surprise.

Be sure to tune into the Health Matters Show on Friday when we’ll discuss what Duke University is doing. Their program is exciting!

Cinda Crawford, your host of the Health Matters Show

Scientists have been using viruses as health tools for some time. Often they are simply a means to an end in learning about how some disease-promoting “germ” works and behaves.

Example: scientists use a virus that they understand to reveal the hidden mechanisms of how a new, not-so-well-understood one works. This type of investigative, viral research project is used in an attempt to analyze one that is otherwise tough to get to. (*See the Journal of Virology.)

A second prominent way that scientists are using common viruses as health tools is… .

(4 minutes 6 seconds)

in constructing vaccines that immunize the human body against a specific threat. Yes, it’s true. Scientists have figured out how to convert a virus cell into a health delivery vehicle that provokes your Immune System into getting you well! (*I’ll write more about the negatives of vaccines a bit later on. Be sure to sign up for the RSS feed so you won’t miss the information. This week and next week, let’s concentrate on the positive aspects of virally-based vaccines.)

Today let’s take a look at the yearly flu bug vaccine inoculations that health officials so highly recommend that you get each year. Every twelve months scientists begin construction on a new flu vaccine with either dead or live parts of previous years’ flu viruses in it (*sometimes both dead and live viruses are used). The resulting viral vaccine product is delivered in small doses and meant to invoke a small but meaningful immune response in you that hopefully will keep you from catching this year’s flu bug full force.

The vaccine product is meant to work by curtailing the life cycle of flu viruses that you come into contact with, IF the physically-made vaccine that you took included the right parts of what is now the new, flu invader. (E.g. if your immune system is working well and it has encountered the virus before- through either infection or introduction to the virus by way of the vaccine- your system knows how to fight the threat. However, if it is unsuccessful, you may or may not get the flu or its lovely symptoms! Did you fail to get the essential viral parts this year and end up getting the flu anyway? Too bad, if you did. Try again next year and maybe you will be luckier because the scientists guessed better.)

The goal for the vaccine is: you get a small introduction to the flu, which provokes an immune response and, hopefully, helps you avoid the full version.

If scientists guess wrong as to which viral flu bug will be prevalent and they do not include its components in this year’s vaccine preparation, your flu shot will not provide you with new immunity. However, upon challenge, your immune response could be inadequate, because you were not inoculated against the right virus. (Note: there are a lot of viruses. When it comes to vaccines or any type of immunity, your immune system insists that you be specific to a fault. Miss it a little and you’ve totally missed the mark by a mile! That’s a substantial reason why sometimes the flu vaccine sometimes does not work well.)

Each year when flu season rolls around, scientists have been working a year in advance trying to guess what virus will be prevalent during the following flu season, i.e., the one you’re in now. If the vaccine does not work, it means they guessed wrong and did not include the correct viral flu cells that should have been put in the vaccine. Therefore the vaccine offers you no immunity to the next year’s round of flu bugs (or this year’s flu exposure because you take the vaccine a year later).

Next week, I will blog about the third promiment way that scientists are using common viruses as health tools: to fight cancer. I hope you’ll return here to learn more exciting information.

GOAL:
The more you learn about your body, the more you will be able to assist it in maintaining your good health. If you immune system is not always resilient and strong, you need to take extra measures to help it along.

Thanks so much, Cinda Crawford

PS- for all of my “Learn How to Heal Yourself” members and students, please take the time to watch this Immune System video, too. It may aid you in your study of the Immune System and how you can use your Sacred Cellular Healing knowledge to help you learn how to fight off unwanted immune system problems. The Immune System is highly involved in maintaining chronic illnesses.

Plus, once you are skilled at optimizing your Immune System, it should perform closer to peak efficiency! Yes, I agree. That is fantastic. This no to low-cost course and training to optimize the Immune System is scheduled for Month 9. There are twelve months total. Begin learning this incredible information now.

Several times previously I have interviewed Dr. Robin Mayfield, always the commumate chiropractor, applied kinesiologist, acupuncturist, certified nutritionist, helper to those sick and in need and a tremendous advocate for those people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (*See Health Matters Show number one and number two, featuring her advice.)

I really admire her great work in helping people and I appreciated her as an excellent interview guest.

Recently, she has moved her practice and changed the day-to-day emphasis of her medical business, but that very fact may interest quite a few of you. Next week she bringing a special program on detoxification, purification and cleansing of the intestional tract and your whole body! See her notice below and join her in this right away, if you’re so inclined. My notice is coming to you a little late, so be sure to check this out TODAY.

Be happy & healthy, Cinda Crawford, your host here at the Health Matters Show

Dr. Mayfield’s new clinic is opening on Bee Cave Road, Austin TX! Directly across the street from Barton Springs Nursery. She will be Core Therapy and Pilates at 3534 Bee Caves Rd, Suite 110, Austin, Tx 78746

Phone: 1-512-693-7052

Do you want to lose 10 pounds? Dramatically improve your digestion? Increase your energy tenfold?

To get the new clinic started, I’m once again leading a group through a Detoxification and Purification cleanse, beginning February 9. See my website for details and registration. You can easily schedule appointments and register for the cleanse online now!

My new clinic is focused on the practices that are my passion: nutritional healing and energy balancing. I’m leaving all the musculoskeletal and pain complaints to the pros at Core Therapy and Pilates. (Many of you might recall that I’ve always been a big Pilates proponent for healing pain and injuries. I LOVE that I’m going to be affiliated with this now.)

MY EMPHASIS:
Bio-identical hormones
Natural herbal support for longevity and wellness
Saliva and blood testing for optimum health
pre-diabetes corrections
Allergy relief
General health and well-being for the entire family (children, too)
Thyroid testing and support
Adrenal fatigue testing and support
Fibromyalgia
Menopause/perimenopause/PMS
PCOS
Infertility
Male “andropause” and mid-life energy improvements
Children’s homeopathics and vaccine relief
Migraine headaches
Blood pressure problems
Anxiety and depression

Go to www.drrobinmayfield.com for more information, and I hope to see you February 9 for the Cleanse!

Robin Mayfield, D.C.
www.drrobinmayfield.com

It’s common for an enterovirus to produce symptoms (e.g. intestinal cramps) in the gastrointestinal (gut) tract, even in people who suffer with ME CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Today there is a “Carcinoid tumour associated with enterovirus infection” post from PubMed about how this is directly tied to ME CFS patients.

I encourage you to keep reading… .

Abstract Enteroviruses commonly infect the gastrointestinal tract, and replication of enteroviruses has been well documented in the Peyer patches of the small bowel. Chronic enterovirus infection has been found in the stomach and terminal ileum of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Apparently the problem manifests in these Peyer patches within the small bowel intestinal area. Right now we (e.g. ME, CFS patients) are dealing with different “bugs” that may include enterovirus symptoms. The symptoms may be mild and trivial or so severe you’re ready to call 911. But keep in mind that there are many versions of enterovirus that are prevalent around you. The more study on this topic, obviously the better for everyone. If your once thought of “stomach bug” goes sour and you end up with cancer, you would have to take notice!

In another PubMed citation, the abstract contributes even more information:

Enteroviruses are well-known causes of acute respiratory and/or gastrointestinal infections and non-specific flu-like illness. Although enterovirus protein, RNA and non-cytopathic viruses have been demonstrated in the stomach biopsies of patients with myalgia encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), causality for chronic diseases is difficult to establish without having well-documented cases of acute enterovirus infections. The aim of this study was to link acute enteroviral infection to viral persistence in patients with ME/CFS.

Yes, it’s that time of the year when we’re sniffling and blowing our noses. We’re also visiting the bathroom with unpleasant intestinal symptoms. All I’m saying is to be advised and forewarned…that’s all. Know your body, know your immune system and know your infections. If you keep up on what’s going on with you and you work hard to maintain your immune system so that it operates at peak efficiency, you not only will be better able to handle enterovirus symptoms, but all potential problems that threaten your health.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

XMRV, Xenotrophic Murine Leukemia Virus, has been uncovered in prostate cancer for men, is implicated in ME/CFS and now the question is being asked: Can XMRV transmission occur between individuals or not? That question has not been answered 100% yet, but aren’t other viruses transmissable? Can’t you catch other illnesses through either casual, blood-borne or sexual contact? Yes, of course.

Recently, Heidi Bauer left a comment on this blog about a previous post I did. Topic: Whether XMRV was transmissable or not. Unfortunately the underlying Internet source article at the Bellingham Herald has been removed, so to aid in this ongoing discussion, I encourage you to check out the additional research material on this topic listed at the bottom of this post.

Commenter’s opinion on my previous post: …I think the typical assumptions are wrong regarding XMRV transmission and sex. Many claim that since they do not see CFS type disease spreading rapidly through the gay community or prostitutes that this is good enough reason to suspend belief in XMRV as transmissible through sexual contact. I find this wrong for two reasons. First, it is very clear that RVs can infect without causing immediate disease. HTLV can take many years to cause cancer and neuro problems. X+ cancer patients (lymphomas/prostate) could have carried the virus for years before it created disease. Men whose wives have had CFS for decades are asymptomatic until they develop prostate cancer. So, there is certainly a lag time for some X-related diseases. Secondly, viral load has much to do with transmission for the other two RVs. It may take repeated exposure to an infected person (such as a spouse or long term partner) before transmission can occur. As other patients, I also believe repeated exposure at work or in the home through casual contact is possible depending on viral load.

Until a reliable assay can be mass produced (which they are working on frantically they say), we will not know the extent of XMRV transmission. It is quite clear that being infected does not promote disease, or at least not right away.

My answer:

Heidi, so sorry the Bellingham Herald moved or removed their article. That happens sometimes (although I try to keep everything available here at the Health Matters Show all the time. But I am reading & hearing your comment with great interest. Since the collective ‘we’ don’t really know what is going on with XMRV, it is too preliminary to say whether there is transmission going on definitively or not… but, like you, I suspect there are factors being transmitted that are affecting people’s health. ‘We’ should realize there is more we don’t know than what we do!

That is certainly an argument ‘for’ ME/CFS’s existence and necessity to learn more about it AND to continue ongoing investigations into it, no matter where the trail may lead. Government powers may not like the answers to these questions because 1) they will end up with egg on their collective face(s), 2) they will have to figure out what to do about the blood supply, 3) they will have to come up with preventative measures for transmission and 4) they will have to figure out how to combat the illnesses (whatever they are). Now many of us who have been so sick expect their to be a dramatic connection to ME/CFS. Time will tell…if we can keep them going down the right road and being open & honest in the process. Being an ostrich won’t get us anywhere except blinking back the sand. Best wishes, Cinda (And thanks again for commenting!)

Here are more reference websites speaking to this topic. I urge you to check them out quickly. The links are good now, but of course, could be made unavailable at any time.

Links:
1) Whittemore Peterson, Q & A,
2) Phoenix Rising: XMRV ME/CFS Transmission,
3) Xenotransmission: XMRV

And then, of course, Best XMRV CFS links will discuss XMRV transmission, plus a whole lot more.

Thanks so much. Be sure to leave your comment, too!
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Twenty years ago when the United States and coalition nations invaded Iraq, soldiers of all nationalities began to get sick with what we now call Gulf War Syndrome, however no one knew what was going on with the soldiers at the time. They were coming down with symptoms similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Why were these soldiers getting sick? No one knew.

Does Gulf War Syndrome exist as a true physical illness? I believe it does. However, the answers are murky about “what” exactly the illness is except we can say without question that a lot of men got ill with serious symptoms and some of them continue to be sick two decades later! That sounds like a real, bonafide illness to me. Keep in mind that in the United States it took awhile for soldiers to get diagnosed because the Armed Services did not acknowledge what was going on right after the invasion and they did not own up to their obligation to treat the sick veterans.

I would imagine that the phrase, “It’s all in your head,” sounds very familiar.

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A relative of mine served as an Army intelligence officer on the front lines of the Desert Storm invasion. I worried about his immediate safety. I remember praying a lot. Later when he returned to the states, I worried about his long term health because of the reports of men getting sick. Thank goodness that he was normal and did not come down with Gulf War Syndrome. He’s a lucky man.

Twenty years later, many of these same men from Desert Storm continue to get treatment for pain and more symptoms associated with their Gulf War experience. Does Gulf War Syndrome still exist? Well, yes, it certainly does if you count the thousands of people who remain stricken with symptoms and have lost the good health they started out with two decades ago.

In a mysterious-sounding, yet resolute voice, I can almost hear Paul Harvey, “And now for the rest of the story… .”

Truly, there are so many twists and turns to this whole sorted story. To get you started, you can review the points and previous post that suggest exactly what Gulf War Syndrome and CFS have in common, a video I did in December 2010 talking about a possible “cause” for this type of traumatic illness -AND- what you can do about these symptoms…whether you’re classed as having GWS, CFS, Fibromyalgia or whatever. It’s amazing how closely all these illnesses tie in together!

So why wouldn’t trauma produce a negative result? Your mind, body and spirit are sensitive to energy fluctuations. Wouldn’t you be traumatized by having to work around burning oil wells? Wouldn’t your body react badly to exposure to depleted uranium? Yes– of course, it would! With such a traumatic influence and energy on the body, major illness commonly is the result.

Each case, each person’s health manifests differently. No one knows what is the ultimate trigger for any one illness, but we do know that trauma likely preceeds them all!

If your human mind, body and soul are traumatized, illness can result. “Can” is the operative word, because not all soldiers who performed their duties in Operation Desert Storm got sick. People like my cousin survived it just fine. There were others who got very ill. They were left traumatized and that trauma-based energy remains in them affecting their health negatively. In my opinion, it will continue to do so until it is removed.

Now being able to remove trauma-based energy is a new concept to most people. I recently recorded a video for Get Well Health which offers a snippet of information about how to heal from illnesses like CFS and Gulf War Syndrome– based on this exact philosophy, removing the traumatic energy. I talked about how trauma can induce sickness in PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), GWS and more. Gulf War Syndrome (click on this link to view the video- it’s on the left side of the page) certainly falls within the possibility of a sickness following a traumatic episode.

If you suffer with an intractable chronic illness, I hope you take a peak at this stunning information. Yes, I’m one of the few aggressive people talking about this concept, but I am achieving success with it on a case by case basis. I’m truly thrilled with the success of helping people with trauma-induced illnesses.

Thanks for visiting the Health Matters Show today. If you want to be notified when my new book, From the Floor…Looking Up is in print, either sign up on the mailing list and I’ll notify you when it’s published -or- sign up for the RSS feed and you’ll get all the blog content in your feedreader program. I will be sure to announce its publication on the Health Matters Show blog.

Thank you so much,
Cinda Crawford, your host

Journalists from around the world continue to report on Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), even though it’s been twenty years since this term came into existence– since the Gulf War ended.

Many, many soldiers all over the world continue to suffer.

Here is a glance at the life and journey of Kerry Fuller.

Friday, I’ll end this week on the Health Matters Show with a video which explains “how” GWS is connected with illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and more.

GWS reported symptoms range from chronic fatigue, headaches and sleep disturbances to joint pains, irritable bowel, stomach and respiratory disorders and psychological problems. These symptoms sound very familiar to those experienced by people with CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

According to Caroline Hawley and Stuart Hughes of the BBC News and their account of one man’s Gulf War Syndrome journey, Kerry Fuller,

In the years since Operation Desert Storm, theories over possible causes of ill health have ranged from vaccinations, depleted uranium used in armour-piercing weapons, organophosphate pesticides, exposure to nerve agents and the effects of inhaling toxic smoke from burning oil wells.

Psychological factors and battlefield stress have also been cited as possible factors.

I am convinced that there is a lot more going on here and I’ll being sharing my information on Friday. Until then, please leave your comments below. As far as GWS reporting and Kerry Fuller, well, I doubt the subject is closed. Surely, Kerry Fuller hopes his future is not written yet.

Thank you, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show

MSG or monosodium glutamate is a food additive and it may cause some of your Fibromyalgia Symptoms, e.g. headaches! When it comes to living as healthy as possible, most of us are aware that a food additive can seem subtle and innocuous, but it can be anything but, instead causing huge problems. The key is so to eliminate MSG completely from your diet!

You can find the “why” information more readily all over now; it’s quite abundant. MSG is simply not good for you and, for a lot of people, causes untoward symptoms… like Fibromyalgia symptoms, headaches and more. The “how” to eliminate it from your diet will take some further detective work.

Start by reading the blog at The Home Economist. The author has written a valuable post on this topic. It included some fantastic information about how MSG causes headaches.

But… don’t stop there. Read her comments, too. (Or- see the best link I found below.)

One person refers the reader to a comprehensive website about MSG and the forms it can take in food. Who knew this food additive was so pervasive?

Also, you can search the Health Matters Show blog right here for more posts on MSG. There are 6! (Find the “search this blog” box in the middle column and input your term, MSG.)

Either way, happy investigating this topic and finding the important information that you need about (1) MSG and (2) how to circumvent your Fibromyalgia symptoms.

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

This week on Facebook I posted a question: “What does it take to be victorious over a tough chronic illness like ME, CFS, Fibro (Fibromyalgia), Lupus, arthritis or chronic Lyme?” Many thoughtful people posted what was on their hearts and minds. This is worth sharing with you~ without mentioning the authors’ names, of course.

Find some great answers within these comments from Facebook below. Keep in mind that these are personal opinions of the people who have public accounts on Facebook. They are not necessarily my recommendations, but I do talk more about that aspect on today’s podcast. I hope you listen to it! (Please consult the disclaimer on this website if you need to know more.):

(12 minutes 42 seconds audio podcast)

• Searching for the combination that works for you
• Acceptance of the illness…and having emotional control over the illness, instead of letting it have emotional control over you!!! Working with your various physicians and other disciplines available to help us…medications, physical therapy, massage, relaxation therapy….what ever helps minimize our physical pain, and maximize our abilities to function physically, no matter how limited they may be. An attitude of hope and gratitude for the positive things in our life…not dwelling on the negative…I also use psychotherapy to vent frustrations since my family doesn’t understand….spirituality is also KEY for me!!!!!
• What worked for me is Low Dose Naltrexone and supplements. I got my life back, my pain reduced and the fatigue is gone. I pray you find your combination.
• Hope and a positive attitude
• … Faith is my anchor.
• For me it was never giving up, realizing that doctors weren’t going to do it for me, that I did have control over my health and life, letting go of a lot of emotional baggage and anger and starting to put myself first. Everyone is different, everyone finds their own way. To anyone who is suffering, never give up the faith that you will get well again. You’ll get there.
• Some days this disease totally gets me down, and I feel like I just can’t win. I have to stop and re-evaluate things. I also have a strong faith which keeps me going.
• Myself and a friend once came up with the idea of “buddying up” people who are (doing) poorly with former sufferers, to give support, advice, inspiration and a helping hand. I’ve only just remembered it. It would be nice to do.
• Support is great but I can tell you something that will make a huge difference. Start using Pharmanex’s “Vitality”. It helps reset the youth gene map of your body….addresses issues with your immune system, revews your energy and sleep like you had in your twenties. Also it eliiminates brain fog. All is based on research and science at Standford and Purdue.
  If you want to know more about this incredible ” Vitality” email me at jsm57@att.net or you can call me at 972-503-7161. I am telling you this is a God send for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sufferers. My physician recommend I get on it and I am so glad I did. Your physician needs to know about “Vitality” and how it will greatly benefit their patients. Here’s to not just renewing your health but to actually resetting it… .
• Creating the right environment for healing, by dealing with emotional baggage, finding serenity, eating well, keeping going by whatever means necessary (though not at the expense of your adrenal system), feeling happy & stress free, focusing on what makes you feel good rather than what makes you feel bad & generally trying to move towards health rather getting stuck on feeling crappy.
• Getting rid of ALL the stress in your life that you can. That is my problem just now. I am staying with a friend, but my things are at my daughters, and I have to move tomorrow. I had to leave my daughters due to the stress she puts apon me.
• Stress is the worst. I hate watching people getting stuck in vicious cycle of stressing about their illness.

I’ve emphasized all of these positive words above so that it will be easier for you to concentrate on them. Please take a moment to leave a comment here at the Health Matters Show. Being victorious over chronic illness is a major goal. Consider our answers carefully and at the deepest, most personal level possible. The quality of your life and health depend on it.

Thanks, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show