Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a condition that the CDC recognizes as a multiple spectrum disorder that includes joint and muscle pain, general debility, cognitive and memory defects, sleep defects etc. Unfortunately, ME does not receive much funding, something like $4 million dollars per year versus the billions spent on HIV research, I suppose most of this is due to who is screaming the loudest.
I have studied this disease for many years in an attempt to resolve my problems. I have read the many theories on the viral aspect which for years blamed the passive Epstein Barr virus on ME which has been recanted and new viruses are looked at being the culprit. However the research is thin on ME and most research or findings come from individuals and not the medical system. Based on my conversations with the CDC, they don't seem to care much, their responses have been weak and uncaring. I suppose if the tables were turned where the people in power were sick as I have been, then something would be done.
I went into deep ME at one point, barely being able to function. My deep ME experiences were predicated by a protozoa parasite which went undiagnosed for many years in spite of my many attempts to tell physicians that the problem started with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In my opinion it is clear that a majority of IBS sufferers are suffering with a pathogen in their intestinal tract. These pathogens can be rogue bacteria, yeast/fungus and the most overlooked, parasites. Parasites are difficult to detect in the stool and most physicians don't even think about them. Somewhere along the line, doctors picked up the false belief that Americans do not get parasites, I am not sure the rationale behind this, perhaps President Reagan installed a parasite shield over the United States :)
I received a positive on my PCR analysis of stool pathogens in which they could not identify the pathogen and I have diligently searched for the answer. Through a series of doors, I have come to a solid but not proven theory that the culprit is Microsporidia. Microsporidia is to pathogens as ME is to research, both have gotten no respect.
Wiki states that microsporidia are intracellular parasites that are more like fungi and it is estimated that there are more than one million species with roughly 1500 that have names. Ten percent of them are parasites of vertebrates which include humans.
Furthermore, Wiki goes on to say about the medical implications of Microsporidia that "they cause chronic debilitating diseases which include reduced longevity, fertility, weight and general vigor"
At this point, offering a laboratory diagnosis and treament is still a bit sketchy. PCR analysis is considered to be the best form of pathogenic identification since it can find a needle in a haystack since it uses the genome of the pathogen for identification. Currently there seems to be a smidgen of labs that identify microsporidia via PCR. I was told by Metametrix that they will be adding this to their GI Effects Stool Test sometime in 2012. Treatment seems to be Albdendazole or other antiprotozoa agents, however one species shows resistance to Albendazole. I am currently using a natural approach that uses a herbal mix designed to stop efflux pumps along with Caprylic acid which is found in coconuts and has been shown to have killing properties. You can find more information at pptu.lefora.com.
I went into deep ME at one point, barely being able to function. My deep ME experiences were predicated by a protozoa parasite which went undiagnosed for many years in spite of my many attempts to tell physicians that the problem started with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In my opinion it is clear that a majority of IBS sufferers are suffering with a pathogen in their intestinal tract. These pathogens can be rogue bacteria, yeast/fungus and the most overlooked, parasites. Parasites are difficult to detect in the stool and most physicians don't even think about them. Somewhere along the line, doctors picked up the false belief that Americans do not get parasites, I am not sure the rationale behind this, perhaps President Reagan installed a parasite shield over the United States :)
I received a positive on my PCR analysis of stool pathogens in which they could not identify the pathogen and I have diligently searched for the answer. Through a series of doors, I have come to a solid but not proven theory that the culprit is Microsporidia. Microsporidia is to pathogens as ME is to research, both have gotten no respect.
Furthermore, Wiki goes on to say about the medical implications of Microsporidia that "they cause chronic debilitating diseases which include reduced longevity, fertility, weight and general vigor"
At this point, offering a laboratory diagnosis and treament is still a bit sketchy. PCR analysis is considered to be the best form of pathogenic identification since it can find a needle in a haystack since it uses the genome of the pathogen for identification. Currently there seems to be a smidgen of labs that identify microsporidia via PCR. I was told by Metametrix that they will be adding this to their GI Effects Stool Test sometime in 2012. Treatment seems to be Albdendazole or other antiprotozoa agents, however one species shows resistance to Albendazole. I am currently using a natural approach that uses a herbal mix designed to stop efflux pumps along with Caprylic acid which is found in coconuts and has been shown to have killing properties. You can find more information at pptu.lefora.com.
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