Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Question 1

What are the symptoms

Answer 1

chronic unexplained fatigue or post-exertional malaise

Question 2

What are other symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis

Answer 2

muscle weakness, flu-like symptoms, migraine, brain fog, sensitivity to light sound and certain smells, poor temperature regulation, and heat and cold intolerances.

Question 3

What is post exertional malaise

Answer 3

significant worsening of all symptoms post physical or mental exertion.

Question 4

What are the effects of exercise

Answer 4

tissues of patients with ME have difficulty extracting oxygen.
leads to lower hr, bp and preload

Question 5

What are important things to know

Answer 5

the amount of exercise causing PEM will be different dependent on the patient
recovery does not match intensity of exercise
use apps or journals to document triggering activities.

Question 6

What is the prognosis

Answer 6

not good:
low QOL score, 25% are bedbound or housebound, large spectrum of patients going from functional with accommodations to being tube fed and bed bound, mental health issues, early dx is KEY.

Question 7

How can we help people with this condition

Answer 7

Limit energy expansion and so need to educate on pacing
keep something on to monitor heart rate
break up larger activities into smaller ones
behavioural changes

Sleep and pain
sleep medications to get more restful sleep
tremadol, nsaids to help with pain and sleep.