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: Dementia

Growing old with ME

ME Essential Autumn 2024

I am now in my late 60s and have had ME for almost 30 years. I have never been severely affected and have always managed to remain reasonably mobile and my cognitive function hasn’t been too badly affected. Over the past year I’ve noticed that I am definitely slowing down both physically and mentally in relation to memory and concentration.  I still feel fed up and frustrated at times but not to the point of being depressed.

So is this just a natural part of growing old with ME? Or do I need to see my doctor? And has any research been carried out into old age and ME?

Treatments: Alzheimer's medication

ME Essential Spring 2024

A vast amount of money is being spent on research into Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This has resulted in significant progress being made in finding both the cause and effective forms of treatment for dementia.

Now that there are drugs available that can help to slow down the progress of memory decline in Alzheimer’s disease could some of these drugs also be helpful for treating cognitive dysfunction in both ME and Long Covid?

Symptoms: Cognitive Dysfunction

ME Essential Summer 2022

I know that cognitive dysfunction/’brain fog’ is one of the key symptoms of ME/CFS and that it can vary in severity – just like most other ME/CFS symptoms. But I’m concerned about what seems to be a slow and progressive worsening in the problems I have with memory, concentration, mixing up words and the ability to process information. I’ve also noticed that my memory for events in the past is now being affected. Otherwise, most of my other ME/CFS symptoms are fairly stable. But the frustration with not being able to properly function mentally is starting to make me feel depressed.

I went to see my GP a few months ago, and he felt that my cognitive problems were probably ‘just another part of having ME/CFS’. So is this sort of progressive decline in mental functioning something that other people with ME/CFS report and just have to live with?

Treatment: Thiamine

ME Essential Autumn 2021

There are “medical people” on the internet claiming that high doses of a supplement called thiamine are a safe and effective new treatment for ME. What is thiamine? Is there any evidence to support this claim? And could taking high doses of thiamine cause any harm?

Treatment: Dementia Drugs

ME Essential Autumn 2019

Cognitive dysfunction, involving significant and progressive problems with normal mental functioning, is obviously the main symptom of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. I understand that there are a growing number of drugs that can be used to treat dementia. Could any of these drugs also be used to treat similar aspects of ME/CFS? And have any clinical trials taken place?

Charles Shepherd

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