Hunter-Hopkins Center, P.A.

Mary V. was inquiring about HBOT, or Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.  “What do you think about this?  Is there any danger in trying it?” A:   Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to be helpful for PWCs  provided it is administered in a “solid chamber.”   There are canvas chambers currently selling in the market that don’t actually [...]

Q:           Adam W asked about cognitive problems:  “Does the ‘brain fog’ or ‘spaced out’ symptom of CFS ever resolve?” A:            As with most CFS symptoms, cognitive dysfunction waxes and wanes. One report suggests that IQ falls during a flare of cognitive dysfunction, and our personal experience is that memory, attention, processing speed, and other parameters [...]

Q:            Michele K asked, “Why do some CFS/ME specialists refer to ME as ‘myalgic encephalopathy’ and other refer to ‘myalgic encephalomyelitis’?   Doesn’t this add to patient and public confusion?” A:            The term “myalgic encephalomyelitis” was coined by the British physician, Dr. Melvin Ramsay, in the 1950’s when he described an outbreak that occurred in London.  [...]

Deborah B asked, “Do the concentration and memory deficits in CFS/ME lead to Alzheimer’s?” A:            The short answer is “no.”                 The cognitive deficits in CFS/ME include slow processing, poor recall, reduced attention and distractibility.  These deficits wax and wane over time, and do not appear to be permanent.  As PWCs improve their cognitive issues [...]

Bobby B wrote:  “I often get conflicting answers to this question.  Is CFS/ME/FM an autoimmune disease?” A:            Bobby, I don’t mean to conflict you further but the answer is “yes, and no.”    Autoimmunity is certainly part of the CFS/ME/FM conundrum, but the disorder also affects the central nervous system, endocrine system, the muscles, and [...]

Christopher M. queried, “Is it common for PWCs to have muscle spasms and tremors?” Spasms, fasciculation (worm-like or “crawling” muscles), cramping, myoclonus (brief jerking movements, especially at night), tremors and other neurological symptoms are actually fairly common in CFS/ME/FM.  Muscular phenomena (spasms, fasciculation, and cramping) are usually due to reflexive muscle problems. That is, CFS/ME [...]

Geraldine O’S asks, “Why is it that so many women with CFS/ME/FM have been diagnosed with endometriosis?”  A:            PWCs are several times more likely to have concomitant medical problems or comorbidities than unaffected individuals.  The most common is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, experienced by up to 60% of PWCs. The next most common is irritable bladder [...]

Wendy M. asks, “What is the best way to cope with chemical sensitivity syndrome, especially when everything makes you sick but you need to take antibiotics or medications?”  A:            Unfortunately, the only way to manage multiple chemical sensitivities is to avoid the offending chemical, odor,fume, or smoke.  Exposures can trigger headache, nausea, respiratory symptoms, wheezing, [...]

Janet F wondered what records should be kept by the PWC to assist in disability filings.  A:            The most important record one could keep is a journal of  symptoms,  activity,  appointments, and test results.   It is also helpful to have your prior job description, and copies of  any personal reviews – particularly if they are [...]

Valerie McC wonders what causes the lack of ability to hold onto things?  A:   Several studies have confirmed a sort of “feedback failure” with respect to muscle contraction and hand-eye coordination in CFS/ME/FM.   PWCs believe that they have a good grip on objects, but drop them anyway;  they reach for an object but misjudge and [...]