Life in the slow lane

'M.E. myself and I' by Anna Redshaw

Syndrome Syndrome Syndrome

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Anna Redshaw

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Everyone’s favourite Fun Sponge is back with the same old message.

Because it’s important.

IMAGE: Text reads “Chronic Fatigue is a symptom. It is common in a whole host of illnesses. Cancer patients, MS patients, people with Parkinson’s, arthritis, Depression…they can all experience Chronic Fatigue. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not a symptom. The word Syndrome is important in making this differentiation, even if you dislike and disagree with the weak naming of the condition. Syndrome implies there are a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. Chronic Fatigue is one of them but it is only that: one symptom amongst a whole heap of others.”

Chronic Fatigue is the pits. So many people experience it as a symptom in so many different illnesses.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also the pits. And it’s name is both rubbish and misleading. CFS is the name that’s been used over M.E by the majority of medical professionals since the 1990s. The consensus amongst the community it is that the label is poor, places all the emphasis on just one symptom, doesn’t translate into other languages well, and in no way does the illness any justice. Alas, it’s the label we have.

Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are not the same thing.

It’s vital that CFS and chronic fatigue are not banded together. I see it so often (more frustrating when it’s done by accounts with such a big following).

CFS/ME or ME/CFS is what a lot of us in the community use. But to see Chronic Fatigue/ME used? Nah. Don’t do that please. The label M.E. was replaced by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It wasn’t replaced by chronic fatigue.

(I have zero energy for the CFS isn’t M.E debate. Zero energy.)

Text reads “Chronic Fatigue/ME” with a large red cross next to it. Below the teapot reads “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME” with a large green tick next to it.

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Hello,

I’m Anna

Welcome to M.E. myself and I, my tiny little corner of the internet where I share snippets of life in the slow lane. You’ll also find all things Blue Sunday here, the annual fundraising event I started in 2013 to raise awareness of M.E., include people living with the illness, and raise money for the M.E. charities who support us.

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