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.
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Questions in the Category: Overweight
Symptoms: Overactive Bladder (OAB)
I’m female, in my early forties, and have had moderate ME/CFS for about five years. More recently, I've been having a number of bladder symptoms – in particular a frequent and sudden urge to pass what are only quite small amounts of urine. I am also having to go to the bathroom on several occasions during the night.
My doctor thought I might have cystitis – even though I don’t have any pain. However, there were no signs of infection on repeated urine tests. My GP now says that I probably have an “overactive bladder”, and that while there are drugs that can definitely help to calm down an irritable bladder they can cause side-effects, including drowsiness.
Is having an overactive bladder more common in ME/CFS? And is there any other form of treatment – as this is causing me a lot of distress and restricting what I’m able to do outside the house.
Non-Alcholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
I’ve recently been feeling more fatigued than usual. I’ve also lost a bit of weight and had some tummy pains – which are higher up than the sort of spasmodic pain I sometimes get with my irritable bowel.
My GP did some blood tests – all of which were OK apart from some minor abnormalities in my liver function tests. To cut a long story short I then had a visit to hospital and an ultrasound scan of my liver. It turns out that I have what the hospital doctor calls a fatty liver. He says it’s a fairly common condition – especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or are overweight and possibly ME/CFS. Could this be connected to having ME/CFS as well? As I’ve only put on weight since developing the condition.
Blood: Clots (Thrombosis)
Are people with ME more likely to develop blood clots? I ask because I am due to go into hospital for some quite major surgery and will be fairly immobile for some time afterwards. The hospital consultant has queried whether people with ME are at increased risk from developing blood clots. I also understand that blood-thinning drugs are sometimes given after an operation to people who have risk factors for developing blood clots.
Diet and Nutrition: Malnutrition
I ask because there is a great deal of positive discussion on internet forums about the benefits of unproven special diets, restrictive and exclusion diets, and dietary supplements. At the same time, very little attention is paid to the dangers of cutting out or reducing the intake of specific food groups such as dairy or wheat. And people with more severe ME may have significant problems in obtaining groceries, preparing meals and even eating a full meal. All of which could be having an adverse effect on their overall health. So, do we need to start looking at diet and nutritional status in ME from both a clinical and research point of view?
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.
If you have questions about ME/CFS or Long Covid, you can:
- Review the free information in the What is ME/CFS? section of the website, and the free Covid-19 and Long Covid information in the website shop.
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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 an HCP you can sign-up here to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).
