MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
- It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.
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Questions in the Category: Diarrhoea
Gastric symptoms – irritable bowel or gastroparesis
I have several gastric symptoms that are baffling my GP. They include feelings of nausea, feeling full quickly whilst eating a meal and bloating after a meal. My bowel movements are generally regular with no blood in the stools. However, I have had an occasional episode of diarrhoea during the night.
My GP thought I might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – which I know is quite common in people with ME. But none of the IBS treatments have helped. Do you have any suggestions?
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
I keep reading reports that some people with ME/CFS also have a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MACS). I also saw a report on the MEA website about a new Overlapping Illness Alliance being formed that includes ME/CFS, PoTS and MCAS. So what is MCAS? Can it be treated? And how common is it in people with ME?
10 KEY FACTS: THE THYROID GLAND AND THYROID FUNCTION TESTS IN RELATION TO ME/CFS
What is low thyroid function/hypothyroidism and how do the symptoms overlap with ME/CFS?
CBD oil for pain relief
I keep reading about people with ME/CFS who are using cannabis oil (CBD oil) for pain relief – with varying degrees of benefit. My GP said that he isn’t allowed to prescribe cannabis oil for pain relief and he wasn’t convinced by the claims that are being made. So is there any evidence that CBD oil can help with pain relief? And given the link to cannabis is it safe to try if you have ME/CFS?
Treatment: Bromelain
I have read several newspaper articles about the use of this natural plant-based treatment for pain relief, especially in arthritis and muscle soreness. But is there any evidence that it can help to reduce muscle pain in ME? Because none of the drug treatments that I have been prescribed by my GP have helped.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are a Health Care Professional you can sign-up to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).