Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia (FM) are debilitating illnesses which have no cure and leave sufferers' lives in ruins. Even those with the best ability to adapt and cope often suffer from the abuse of other well-meaning people who think the ill somehow brought these illnesses upon themselves or that the illnesses don't really exist. This can create a situation of desperation in which a patient is willing to try anything to get better. However a study, in October 2009, suggests ME/CFS and possibly Fibromyalgia might be caused by the retrovirus XMRV. A new study published in the journal Science found the retrovirus XMRV (xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus) in 67% of patients with ME/CFS. Only 3.7% of the healthy controls studied harboured this infection. Later, the researchers reported up to 95% of patients test positive for XMRV with antibody testing. A copy of the Science article can be viewed here. CFS has had its share of "miracle cures". The recent discovery of the XMRV retrovirus has led to the potential that this virus is the cause of CFS. Many CFS patients have been happy with this news because it gives their illness long-overdue legitimacy. In the face of emerging viral evidence, XMRV is now a nascent threat for purported alternative/quack cures. Since the study appeared, several groups have been in a race to replicate the findings of Dr. Judy Mikovits (Whittemore Peterson Institute). These studies will take some time, but it is hoped that by the middle of 2010 XMRV will be shown to be the primary cause of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It may transpire that XMRV is behind a string of illnesses referred to variously as CFS, ME, Fibromyalgia, Atypical Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Mononucleosis. Scientists are already using the term XAND, for XMRV Associated Neuroimmune Disease. The Whittemore Peterson Institute was founded by Annette Whittemore, whose daughter suffers from ME. This privately funded, not for profit, organisation has finally put ME/ CFS and Fibromyalgia on the media agenda. It's important the momentum is sustained - government and private funding is essential. Please consider a donation to support scientific research into ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia via an established charity. 
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For those interested in learning more, I recommend visiting the 'The Hummingbirds' Foundation for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis at www.hfme.org The site explains what ME. is, and the long history of ME. as an acute onset organic neurological disorder which occurs in epidemic and sporadic forms and that can be extremely severe (or even fatal). Other valuable resources include: There are a number of ME / CFS charities that support scientific research into biomedical research into ME/CFS. ME Research UK has recently announced that it will be providing joint funding for an XMRV Replication Study. Invest in ME campaigns for bio-medical research into ME. Action for M.E. is another well know charity for people with M.E. It has cautiously welcomed the research into XMRV. The Whittemore Peterson Institute carried out the study that discovered the potential link between XMRV and ME/CFS 
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