*A talk by Dr Macintyre is used with permission from UPSCM*
Report of a talk by Dr. Macintyre to an ME Group.
Originally posted on Co-Cure by Maggie Wallace.
Saturday 13 May 2000: Dr Macintyre speaks to the North Merseyside Branch of the ME Association.
Dr Macintyre was not well, so her talk was short. She spoke about ways that ME/CFS patients could help themselves to improve. It falls into 4 sections.
Appropriate structured rest Dr Macintyre compared the rest that ME/CFS patients need to that imposed in TB (tuberculosis) sanatoria before the advent of antibiotics to treat TB. This involved complete physical, mental and emotional rest combined with good diet. And absence of stress - physical, mental and emotional. This helped some TB patients to recover. Dr Macintyre feels a similar structured rest protocol can help patients with ME/CFS.
Diet Some diets are not good for people with ME/CFS: vegetarian and low fat diets for example. Eat eggs, fish, chicken. Red meat in moderation. Watch especially for intolerance to dairy products (common intolerance in ME/CFS patients). Eat as much fresh (as opposed to processed) foods as possible. Generally eat plenty of protein. Drink lots of water - 4 to 5 pints a day. To avoid dehydration and enable the body to detoxify. Use plenty of salt. This may help for people who have low blood volume. (there is research indicating PWME/PWC may be deficient in aldosterone, which is a salt conservator).
Decent sleep Insomnia is a common long-term symptom. *Low dose* tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline) can help. A carbohydrate snack before bed (sandwich, biscuits or cake) with hot milk (if dairy foods are tolerated) can be helpful. Magnesium and Calcium supplements can also be helpful before bed.
Stress avoidance ME/CFS is a chronic stress illness in Dr Macintyre's view. Stress can take many forms:
Physical - e.g. athletic overtraining
Climatic - hot or cold weather
Chemical - garden/agricultural sprays (including organophosphates, "sheep dip flu"), carpets, new furniture, paint fumes, diesel and petrol fumes, etc.
People - avoid people who drain you.
After a break Dr McIntyre went on to answer questions, but most of these were of a personal nature, so it isn't appropriate to post details here.
However one point she raised is important I feel.
She spoke of someone who had a diagnosis of ME, but later was diagnosed as having MS. A good friend of mine is now also (very recently) in that situation. In both cases it has been much easier to obtain State Sickness and Disability Benefits and other help.
Dr Macintyre herself, while previously diagnosed with ME/CFS, now has a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. She commented that as it is a well recognised disease, with a blood test, she now has little trouble obtaining State Sickness and Disability Benefits that she had difficulty obtaining with her ME/CFS diagnosis.
Dr Macintyre has a book available:
M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Practical Guide) Dr Anne Macintyre Thorsons, 1998 ISBN 0 7225 3539 2
*Short Notes/Useful Info*
Posted By: Daniel Source: http://www.celosia.co.uk/upscm Comments: We are a friendly self-help group providing support, information and a forum for discussion for people who have CFS/ME and their carers (mainly in the UK).
