Is the illness 'M.E' real or is is just that they're lazy?

Question

If you don't know what M.E is then please refrain from answering, this is a serious question

Answer 1

Try this site!

http://www.thiscureworks.com/CFS/

Answer 2

I don't think people would make up those symptoms. Consider the name, it is now know as Chronic Fatique Syndrome. But it was first discovered by Doctors whose patients had inflammation of the Brain and Spinal cord. But experineced extreme and chronic tiredness after the disease had been cured.

It's now known to be in the myalgia\neuralgia family of diseases. I answered a question about fibromyalgia today. I couldn't believe the number of wrong answers people gave -- get a good workout every day, the worst thing a fibromyalgia sufferer can do. I moderate a myalgia\neuralgia group and I would say 95 percent of people don't have a clue. Medical science now knows it's a condition from the nervous system, but still most people think it is something like their uncle Fred strained his back. Get some physio and then do some exercises to stregthen it. Well that's great for treating a muscle problem but not something that is caused by nerve inflammation.

The same applies to M.E. Exercise is good, but it won't cure M.E. Physicians ask their patients who have these diseases to exercise to keep good muscle tone and so people don't let their muscles atrophy. But it's no cure or even a treatment for M.E.

Cancer is the most painful disease, but the second most painful disease is neuralgia in the trigeminal nerve.(a nerve in your face that goes from across the eyebrow down to the mouth).

No I think there is something wrong in the nervous system that medical science is just recognizing exists but they don't know it's cause yet and therefore there is no effective treatment. The only differnce is how the disease manifests itself. Some it's extreme pain in the face, others it's extreme, chronic tiredness.

Answer 3

I've seen what M.E. has done to friends of mine and it is defiantely real. It can be very debilitating in it's worst forms, even shortening life expectency.

The way one of my friends described it to me was this:

Imagine you're tired, you lie down on the sofa. There's a ring at the door, do you get up?

It goes on like that, detailing more demanding and serious situations until you say "yes, I'd get up."

Then she explains that she couldn't get up even if the sofa was on fire.

So, yes, the sufferers of M.E. I know definately have a real illness, the impact on their lives is too great for it ever to be faked. I can't speak for the other cases, perhaps some people do imagine it or fake it. But it's definately a real illness.

Answer 4

Louise you need to do some research on the question you have asked M.E is a very real illness and certainly not laziness. My Friend has M .E and he is in terrible pain
Maybe you should take the time to go and talk to M.E sufferers
and tell them what you think I wouldn't want to publicise the response you would get.
You say in your question that this is a serious question, you need to tell yourself that too.

Answer 5

The sister of my best friend has had M.E for over a decade now and it's a very serious illness. I've known her over 25 years and she used to be real out-going. She suffered badly for about 10m years and is now steadily getting her life back on track. It's one of those that you can't understand unless you see it in person but I certainly wouldn't wish it on anybody!!

Answer 6

I believe it is real and I read somewhere a while ago that it is caused by a viral infection and can last a number of years. It is a very serious illness but sadly a majority of people don't take it seriously.

Answer 7

Pretty controversial.
Interesting to see what people say.
I've never been sure to be honest. I have thought sometimes (in SOME cases) it is actually more likely that people are suffering from depression/psychological problems but I don't really know. Whether it is psychological or physical though it certainly seems to affect people's ability to function so I don't think you could really say it was just laziness.

Answer 8

ME was reclassified several years ago by World Health Organisation from a psychological illness to a neuromuscular illness. Department of work and pensions in UK has not reclassified it as this contrary to Department of Health recommendations and WHO guidelines as someone who has a neuromuscular disease is entitled to more money than someone with psychological illness.

Answer 9

I know that the medical profession take is seriously and it's now referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and there are several clinical research studies currently underway.

Answer 10

It's real and the people who have it certainly are not lazy. Go to www.afme.org.uk to get more information.

Answer 11

Its a vague illness,in many cases caused by borreliosis /lyme disease-which is badly spotted and treated by doctors-
if your doctor cant explain continuing symptoms, see some specialist doctors who may know better-the site listed below has experts who may help-breakspear medical