Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

Blaze of Glory

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

Pacing is . . . actually, my descriptions of pacing generally involve expletives that are not appropriate for this blog, so we’ll stick with “Pacing is challenging.” One positive side effect of my pacing efforts, though, is that I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Occupying | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Another CFSAC Done Gone

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

The CFS Advisory Committee held its second meeting of the year on October 3-4, 2012. Last time, I organized my summary around the good, the bad, and the WTF moments. This time, I am organizing around the discussion themes. Overall, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Metrics

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I delivered the following testimony via telephone to the CFS Advisory Committee on October 3, 2012. I would like to note something that Dr. Nancy Lee said today: “Nothing about me without me.” That’s what we’re asking for. FDA is … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Meeting This Week

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

UPDATE: You can watch the meeting via webcast OR you can call in to the meeting in listen-only mode at  1-866-761-7202. Passcode: 3117619.   The CFS Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The registration deadline for attendance … Continue reading →

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

Mental Illness Meme

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

When it comes to press coverage of CFS and XMRV, there is a pervasive mental illness meme that must be addressed. It goes something like this: XMRV/viruses do not cause ME/CFS. Therefore, it could be a mental illness. Patients strongly … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Those Lipkin Samples

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

You may recall from my post on the Lipkin study that Dr. Lipkin talked about the sample cohort at the press conference on September 18th. Dr. Lipkin said that the samples would be available for other investigators and that applications … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

How Did They Get Here?

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I’ve been following the work of the CFS Advisory Committee closely, and after the latest group of new members were appointed I wondered who had nominated them. I’ve done some research, and the answer might surprise you. Just getting this … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Stick a Fork In It

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

After three years of controversy about the purported association between CFS and XMRV, and after two years of waiting for the definitive Lipkin study to be finished (full text of the paper is here), we have our answer. Stick a … Continue reading →

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

The News on XMRV

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

I am going to refrain from any comment on the XMRV study results announced today until I have had a chance to read the paper, listen to the press conference, and think about the whole thing for a few hours. … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Winning Contestants

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Jennie Spotila

Two contests, one that you may have heard of and one that you may not, are active right now with CFS related organizations in the running for cash. The Chase Community Giving contest on Facebook features two CFS organizations competing … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Winning Contestants