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: Cold

Does ME involve spinal cord inflammation?

ME Essential Autumn 2024

Earlier this year, I suddenly developed severe back pain, loss of balance and was unable to walk in a straight line. I was sent to casualty where I had a CT and MRI scan. I was then diagnosed as having severe spinal inflammation.

The MEA purple book states that there is no evidence of brain or spinal inflammation (= encephalomyelitis) in ME/CFS.

But are we missing something here? Could symptoms such as back pain, poor coordination and abnormal sensations that are commonly reported in ME be caused by inflammation in the spinal nerves?

Symptom: Temperature Regulation (2)

ME Essential Spring 2023

I’ve always enjoyed a long soak in a hot bath, especially at the end of the day – and still do. But since developing ME/CFS I’ve found that I feel completely wiped out afterwards – as well as feeling more lightheaded and faint than usual. Is this something that could be related to ME/CFS, because it doesn’t appear to be listed as a symptom?

Symptom: Mild heat stroke

ME Essential Spring 2022

Recently I went to the seaside for the day. It was very hot and I felt it was too much for me, so I went down to the sea to cool off – just paddling in the water (which was surprisingly cold – in fact, downright chilly). It was fine initially but then I started to feel off-balance and then ill, and had to get back to the car quickly (and I had to sit down on the way several times) and then lie down on the back seat of the car. What might have caused such a reaction?

Symptom: Cold Extremities

ME Essential Winter 2020

Like most people with ME/CFS I‘m very sensitive to changes in temperature and find the cold winter weather is very difficult to deal with. So do you have any tips on keeping warm when it gets really cold?

Charles Shepherd

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