Chronic Fatigue [and Immune Dysfunction] Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) is an illness with both physical and mental symptoms. According t the US Centers for Disease Control, diagnosis is based on:

Unexplained, persistent, or relapsing chronic fatigue (exhaustion of mind or body) that is ...

• NOT the result of ongoing exertion
• NOT alleviated by rest
• Resulting in reduction of activities
• AND concurrent with four or more of eight miscellaneous recurrent symptoms. (CFS Case Definition, 1994)

The fatigues can show up as either physical or mental exhaustion, or both. One common symptom is cognitive difficulty, which can include various memory problems. Below are some examples of typical memory problems for persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PWCs), based on this writer's experience.

The writer for this page, a PWC, has experienced each of the symptoms listed below. These problems could happen to anybody, but they occur more frequently to PWCs.

Some of the varied reasons reasons for these memory deprivation symptoms:

• medication side effects
• insufficient blood supply to the brain
• insufficient "good-quality" sleep
  • insomnia (the inability to sleep), or
  • 12-15 hours of sleep without getting the right stages of sleep needed for a good night's sleep.

Sensory Memory Problems

Frequently, persons with CFS will have difficulty with sensory memory. They will have difficulty reading because they are unable to remember the beginning of the sentence by the time their eyes get to the end of the sentence. The memory is lost. The person, although perhaps able to read aloud and be understood by others, is unable to comprehend or to retain any information read.

PWCs can also suffer difficulty with registering information by sound. They may have trouble comprehending what someone else is saying to them because their brain has trouble processing the sounds. Sometimes all sounds seem to be amplified, or lights seem too intense, and the PWC experiences a stressful sensory overload, which inhibits the processing of any particular sensory memory.

Short Term Memory Problems

Short term memory problems are a very common cognitive symptom in PWCs. Such difficulties include:

• Remembering sequential verbal instructions when given all at once.
• Remembering where you are, and/or what you are doing (you walk into a room to get something and completely forget what you are looking for or why you came there).
• Remembering what you are trying to say in the middle of a sentence.

Long Term Memory Problems

Unfortunately, PWC's can even suffer from long-term memory problems including:

• Remembering simple mathematical addition facts, such as 2+3.
• Remembering where you were born.
• Remembering your birthday.
• Remembering a relatively significant outing that took place just one week ago.
• How to get to a familiar place, such as your doctor's office or home.
• Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon - The inability to recall a familiar word at the right time. PWCs will also commonly substitute a completely inappropriate word into the sentence without realizing it.

Prognosis

Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Research for both cause, cure, and possible treatment continue. Currently, Doctors who treat CFS must treat the symptoms. If medicines are found to help the blood pressure, sleep,or endocrine abnormalities, the patient will probably benefit greatly with improved memory.

Some Suggestions to PWC's

Just because there is no cure does not mean that there are some ways people with CFS (PWC's) can take action in attempt to improve their memory abilities:

1. Take a pad of paper and pencil or an electronic note-taking device wherever you go and write things down so that you don't forget them. If you don't carry a purse to put it in and don't have pockets, try wearing a fanny pack to keep it in.
2. If you often lose something particular, decide one location to always store it. For example, if you are always misplacing your keys, hang a hook on the wall right by your door. As soon as you come in the door, place them on that hook. This way, you will know where to find them when you are ready to go.
3. Use a calendar. Keep your calendar in one location whenever it is not with you, so that you do not lose it. Check your calendar regularly so that you don't miss important events such as doctor's appointments.
4. Do things is small bits. So as not to "overload" your brain, work on all mental or physical tasks in short sessions. Stop at least every 5-15 minutes to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and to shift positions. Try not to repeat any monotonous task for more than 10-30 minutes at a time, depending on the extent of your symptoms.
5. Use alarm devices to help you remember important things such as turning off dangerous appliances (i.e. stove or iron) or taking medicines.
6. Consult with your physician to address sleep, nutrition, and water intake. If you have dizziness, headaches, or blood pressure irregularities, ask your doctor about salt and water intake. For example, to keep up with sufficient blood flow o my brain, I drink at least 6 liters of water and take 10 salt tablets daily.