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.
Search all questions
Choose a letter to see our categories
- Show all
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- Y
- 5
- ME Connect
- ME/CFS
- ME/CFS Biobank
- MMR
- MNA
- MRI
- MS
- MUST
- Macrocytosis
- Magnesium
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Mainstream Media
- Malnutrition
- Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool
- Management
- Manchester Brain Bank
- Mast Cell Disease
- Mast Cells
- Media
- Medical Condition
- Medical Consent
- Medical Disclosure
- Medical Records
- Medical Research
- Medical assessment
- Medications
- Melatonin
- Memory
- Memory Problems
- Menieres’s Disease
- Meningitis
- Menopause
- Menstruation
- Mental Function Assessment
- Mental Health
- Mental Health Act 1983
- Mepivacaine
- Mestinon
- Metabolism
- Metabolites
- Metabolomics
- Methylprednisolone
- Metoclopramide
- Micro Clots
- Microbiome
- Microbiota
- Migraine
- Minerals
- Mini Nutritional Assessment
- Mirtazapine
- Mitochondria
- Mobility
- Modafinil
- Molnupiravir
- Mononeuropathy
- Mortality
- Motor Neuropathy
- Mouth Ulcers
- Multidisciplinary
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscle
- Muscle Cramps
- Muscle Pain
- Muscle Relaxants
- Muscle Spasm
- Muscle Wasting
- Muscle Weakness
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Myalgic Encephalopathy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Myelin Sheath
- Myoclonic jerks
- Myoclonus
- Myopathy
- Myositis
Questions in the Category: Menopause
Night sweats
Do people with ME have night sweats? This is a new symptom that is causing myself and my partner considerable distress.
Symptoms: Pins and Needles
I’m in my early forties and have had moderate ME/CFS for about 5 years. I have all the usual symptoms but I now have a new and rather distressing sensation in my arms and sometimes in my legs. It is very similar to the ‘pins and needles’ sensation you can get when your legs have been crossed for too long. These abnormal sensations come and go and don’t seem to be triggered by anything in particular. Is this yet another symptom of ME/CFS? Or do I need to go and see my doctor?
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.
Menopause
I’m in my late forties and have had mild to moderate ME/CFS for several years. Over the past few months I’ve been feeling more tired than usual, my concentration has got worse, I often feel hot at night and I have vaginal dryness. Not surprisingly, my doctor has decided that I’m entering the menopause and has recommended HRT – which I’m reluctant to use as I don’t like taking drugs. I’ve also found that what used to be only occasional attacks of migraine have become a much more regular occurrence. Is this unusual? Or can the menopause have an adverse effect on both ME/CFS and migraine-type headaches?
Symptoms: Swollen Hands and Feet
Can swollen and puffy feet, and occasionally puffy hands, be part of having ME/CFS? And if so what can I do to reduce the swelling?
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.
- Review the largest range of literature covering all aspects of living with ME/CFS. Download detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, management, co-mordities, employment, education, related health conditions, The 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline, welfare benefits etc.
- Join the ME Association as a member and you'll receive the highly-rated ME Essential magazine, and you can ask questions of the charity’s expert advisers including Dr Shepherd.
- Contact us via the ME Connect Telephone Helpline (open 365 days a year) and speak to one of the national team of fully-trained volunteers who waiting to provide information and support.
- Contact us via email or social media:
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).
