Monthly Archives: March 2014

2013 NIH Spending on CFS Studies

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Update: This post was revised on October 29, 2016 to correct mathematical errors and update the included research. I have positive news to report: NIH spending on ME/CFS  in 2013 was actually higher than it was in 2012. Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Reading Tea Leaves

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

In a report issued on March 12, the IOM panel tasked with creating a new case definition for Gulf War Illness declined to do so. This is the first time the IOM was attempting to create a disease case definition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Changing Tactics

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

For decades, ME/CFS research and clinical care has been plagued by disagreement over the basic classification of the illness. Is ME/CFS a physical disease, as many patients and researchers insist? Or is it a mental health disorder perpetuated by deconditioning, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Infused

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

I’m beginning a new experiment: IV saline. Regular saline infusions have been used by many ME/CFS patients to cope with orthostatic intolerance for years, but I’ve never taken them regularly. Yesterday, I received the first of four weekly treatments. How … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Not So FOIA

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

The problems ME/CFS advocates are having with Freedom of Information Requests are swiftly acquiring epic proportions. Jeannette Burmeister filed a lawsuit this year to compel release of documents for one of her FOIA requests. Patricia Carter has also filed FOIA … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Exit Stage Right

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Another CFS Advisory Committee member has resigned. After the March 11, 2014 CFSAC meeting, I emailed the Office of Women’s Health and asked for a list of who had attended the meeting. I tried to keep track of the roll … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Silver Platter of Frustration

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Yesterday’s CFS Advisory Committee meeting was insane. Wait, maybe the meeting just drove me insane. Or was the whole thing just insanely inane? I don’t even know anymore. Wait a second, hang on. Ok, let me start again. Yesterday’s CFS … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Guidance to Industry

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Last year, the FDA said it would be preparing Guidance to Industry on drug development for ME/CFS and now they have delivered. Guidance for Industry Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Developing Drug Products For Treatment* has been published in draft form, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Systematic Overreaching

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

A study published last month* by a group from Norway reports a systematic review of ME/CFS case definitions. It’s important because the Institute of Medicine panel is likely conducting a similar process as part of its work, but the study … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Yay, and Also Boo

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Yay! The CFS Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 11th from 12-5pm. This is the makeup day for the meeting cancelled on December 10, 2013. Boo! This is another webinar, and one can only hope the technical aspects will … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments