Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

Data Queen

One of the biggest weapons I have in the fight against ME/CFS is data. I keep track of my activities, medications, sleep, and symptoms daily, and over time that data can be very powerful. I’ve blogged extensively about wearing a … Continue reading

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Two Is Better Than One

My confidence in two-day cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is pretty obvious on this blog. A new study from ME/CFS experts Dr. Chris Snell, Staci Stevens, Dr. Todd Davenport, and Dr. Mark VanNess supplies hard data that shows how important a … Continue reading

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Heart Rate and Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are routinely prescribed to ME/CFS patients who have orthostatic intolerance. But because of the medication’s effects on heart rate, it can be challenging to incorporate heart rate monitoring into the picture. After some uncertainty, I have managed to … Continue reading

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Drug and FDA News, June 2013

We’ve had a good discussion in the comments on the advocacy action to request another meeting with FDA. I asked FDA if they would be pursuing Guidance to Industry on ME/CFS drug development, and was told it is already underway. … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Precision Is Required

Post updated June 28, 2013. See end of post for additional information from FDA. Five ME/CFS advocates recently sent a letter to DHHS, FDA and select members of Congress requesting that FDA convene a second meeting with ME/CFS patients “to … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Meeting METS

It has been more than a year since I had a two-day exercise test. My exercise test report was full of all kinds of jargon, and over the last year I have been trying to decode and apply it to … Continue reading

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Requesting an Investigation

You may recall that at the May 23, 2013 CFS Advisory Committee, voting members Eileen Holderman and Dr. Mary Ann Fletcher stated on the record that they had been intimidated for expressing their views. With assistance from two fellow advocates, … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Sometimes It’s One of Those Times

Sometimes, life just vomits in your lap. One thing after another goes wrong, and you feel like you’re juggling roaring chainsaws while pedaling a unicycle. Or maybe that’s just me. 2013 has been challenging, to say the least. I’m fully … Continue reading

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No Facts for YOU!

The NIH funding argument is a broken record: Advocates and researchers say, “We want more funding!” NIH replies, “We need more applications!” And advocates and researchers reply, “Your review panel is made up of dentists!” Back and forth. Back and … Continue reading

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

Perplexed

The good news, I guess, is that we survived another CFS Advisory Committee meeting. The bad news is that much of what happened made no sense to me. Some excellent summaries of the meeting are available, including this very detailed … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments