Is ME/CFS new or a 'old person's disease'

By SWA

As I delved deeper into the complexities of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), I sought the wisdom of an 86-year-old doctor, whose lineage included his father as a county doctor. The insights he shared were profound and enlightening while confirming my suspicion.

I have sent him in advance some of my writing: ME/CFS Is it really elusive evidence? 

In a phone conversation I asked, "What would you say ME/CFS is?" he responded thoughtfully, linking the past with the present. He explained that in earlier times, ME/CFS was perceived as an 'old person's disease'. He painted a vivid picture of how the elderly, once energetic, gradually became reliant on walking sticks, while others were confined to their homes. He noted that such symptoms could manifest earlier in some, while others were more fortunate to experience them later in life.

The doctor stressed that these individuals often remained unseen by society, secluded within their homes. He reminded me of some people we know together. Some could manage minor tasks like peeling potatoes in the kitchen, but others were bedridden, languishing for years in a state of waiting.

He described ME/CFS as a condition where the body is 'broken' and 'robbed of energy' due to various factors like viruses, bacteria, lead poisoning, and other influences that disrupt the body's systems and the brain. Modern terms like 'mitochondrial malfunction' may be used today, but to him, the essence of the illness remains unchanged.

Intriguingly, he noted that ME/CFS seemed to have hereditary links, as often one of the parents displayed similar symptoms. This intergenerational aspect highlighted the persistence and complexity of the condition.

His closing thoughts were a poignant reminder: the need for prevention. He reiterated that without proactive measures to prevent illnesses, conditions like ME/CFS would continue to emerge in the future. His words left me contemplating the intricate interplay between past understanding and current medical knowledge in the realm of ME/CFS.

 © 2000-2025 Sieglinde W. Alexander.
All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fifty-year copyright.
Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742
ISBN: 0-9703195-0-9 

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