Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: From Diagnosis to Management

Drs. Cindy Bateman and Charles Lapp have authored a new educational course in association with the CFIDS Association of America. The highly-rated medical site, Medscape, released this course in October 2008, and is providing CME credits for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.  For more details or to take the course go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/17442

Educational Course for Healthcare Professionals

Dr. Lapp and Leonard Jason PhD have co-authored an educational course with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the CFIDS Association of America.   Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Diagnostic & Management Challenge  is available online as a 2-hour CME course designed to provide an overview of chronic fatigue syndrome. The goal of this course is to assist health care professionals in detecting, diagnosing, and managing this complicated disorder.  http://www.cfids.org/treatcfs/default.asp

Other Informative Web Sites

We are pleased to share with you several websites that we have found helpful.

Internet information may not be reviewed nor censured, so the authenticity is always questionable. Extremely reliable sites are marked by an asterix (*) below.

CFS Facts (NIH)*

This site also provides general information on CFS, from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is charged with performing or funding medical research in the USA.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/cfs.htm

CFS Facts (CDC)*

This site is an excellent source of general information on CFS as well as programs supported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC monitors and studies diseases that occur in the USA.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/index.htm

National Library of Medicine*

This link will connect you to the National Library of Medicine, and a program to look up scientific articles at no charge.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

CFS Facts (NLM)*

This site is a compilation of articles on CFS, summaries, and interactive tutorials, provided by the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, MD.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/chronicfatiguesyndrome.html

National Institutes of Health / NIAID Fact Sheet*

This site provides a variety of resources for persons with CFS/ME
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/cfsreso.htm

FM Facts (NLM)*

This site is a compilation of articles on FM, summaries, and interactive tutorials, provided by the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, MD.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fibromyalgia.html

National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases*

The NIAMS is a division (or institute) of the NIH, and is responsible for studies on FM.
http://www.niams.nih.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)*

The CDC is responsible for monitoring and studying diseases that occur in the USA.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/

US Social Security Administration*

These links will provide general information about Social Security, as well as more specific information on obtaining Social Security Disability.
http://www.ssa.gov
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov

CFIDS Association of America

The CAA is America’s largest and most reliable patient advocacy organization. The website provides current information, links, and a access to articles previously published by the organization.
http://www.cfids.org

Self-Study Course for Professionals (CME)

This course was developed by the CFIDS Association, the CDC, and HRSA to provide reliable education on the diagnosis and initial management of CFS/ME. Dr. Lapp was a co-author of the project, which provides CME/CE credit for physicians and medical professionals.
http://www.cfids.org/resources/print-self-study-module.asp

A Quick Start Guide & CFS/ME Treatment

Dr. Lapp has developed a short turnkey source for doctors and other providers who need a one-stop source for diagnosis and initial management of CFS. Providers can print out all information and forms necessary for the first three office visits.  Click here.

Dr. Bruce Campbell is working with Dr. Lapp to develop a self treatment website for persons with CFS, while this project is just beginning (January 2008), we hope to update frequently. Check out the progress at www.cfstreatment.info.

American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association

AFSA is a major provider of patient advocacy and research funds with regard to FM.
http://www.afsafund.org

FM Network

This site provides information and brochures on FM, as well as access to “Fibromyalgia Network” newsletter, which summarizes the latest FM information and research.
http://www.fmnetnews.com/

National Fibromyalgia Partnership

The NFP is the largest non-profit, membership organization for fibromyalgia (FM) in the United States. Based in the Washington, DC, area,
http://www.fmpartnership.org

International Association for CFS/ME

The IACFS/ME is an international organization of professionals interested in studying both CFS and FM. The IACFS presents annual update meetings for patients, and a biennial international symposium.
http://www.aacfs.org

CFIDS / FM Self Help

Dr. Bruce Campbell was an educator with the Stanford chronic illness project when he was struck with CFS/ME in 1997. By following a Stepwise Approach, journaling, and slowly but steadily increasing his activity level, Campbell was able to recover from his illness within 5 years.  He has now produced a book (with a forward written by Dr. Lapp) and supervises a 6 week internet-based self improvement course. This course is highly recommended!  For details go to www.cfidsselfhelp.org.

Co-Cure

Co-cure is a patient-run information exchange, most notable for the “Good Doctors List” that provides names and addresses of local doctors who are willing to see persons with CFS/ME/FM.
http://www.co-cure.org/

Parents of Sick and Worn-Out Children

This privately maintained site is devoted to providing direction and resources for parents of children with CFS/ME/FM.
http://home.bluecrab.org/~health/sickids.html

The Pediatric Network

A website network for parents, youth, and professionals concerned with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and orthostatic intolerance.
http://www.pediatricnetwork.org/

CFS in Kids

Privately sponsored by the Nemours Foundation, this site provides tips on coping with chronic illness in kids, specifically CFS/ME and FM.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/cfs.html

Gulf War Resource Center (non-governmental association)

The National Gulf War Resource Center is an international coalition of advocates and organizations providing a resource for information, support, and referrals for all those concerned with the complexities of Persian Gulf War issues, especially Gulf War illnesses
http://www.ngwrc.org

Chemical sensitivities

A North Carolina website that promotes awareness of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and provides exceptional information and resources.
http://www.ncchem.com/

Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis Network

This site promotes awareness of food allergies, and provides resources for dealing with this difficult problem.
http://www.foodallergy.org

NC Health Info (UNC Health Sciences Library)

This comprehensive site provides links for health topics, drug information and a medical encyclopedia. North Carolina residents can also search for health care providers, facilities, special programs, and services.
http://www.nchealthinfo.org

About.com

This commercial medical education site provides fairly reliable information on breaking topics in CFS/ME and FM, as well as “essentials,” resources, and an archive of past articles.
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/health/chronicfatigue/index.htm

CFS Knowledge Center

This site was created in 2008 by Dr. Herb Hyman (a longstanding advocate of CFS/ME) and Dan Moricoli (a PWC), to provide a reliable, helpful resource center for those with CFS/ME.  http://www.CFSknowledge.com

WebMD

This AMA-sponsored commercial site provides trustworthy, credible, and timely health information.
http://webMD.com

CFS Treatment

This site is sponsored by Hunter-Hopkins Center as a repository for information on various treatment modalities. The site is currently under construction, but a few items are currently posted for your interest. Click on www.cfstreatment.info to visit this new site!

A few of our colleagues…

Dr. Leonard Jason and the DePaul University CFS Research Team

http://condor.depaul.edu/~ljason/cfs/

Univ. of Washington Cooperative Research Center (Dr. Dedra Buchwald)

http://depts.washington.edu/uwccer/

New Jersey CFS & FM Center

http://www.umdnj.edu/cfsweb/CFS

Pain & Fatigue Center (Drs. Ben Natelson & Gudrun Lange)

Dr. Ben Natelson has moved his well-known practice of CFS/ME and FM to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. For more details visit his website, http://www.painandfatigue.com

Nightingale Foundation (Dr. Byron Hyde, Ottawa, Canada)

http://www.nightingale.ca/

Lyndonville News (Dr. David Bell)

This site offers support, advice, recognition, and information to persons with CFS, ME, FM, and related, difficult to define, illnesses. The primary feature is a newsletter, The Lyndonville News,
http://www.davidsbell.com/index.htm

Devin Starlanyl

Dedicated to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain, Dr. Starlanyl provides information on her own excellent books, as well as a wide variety of information and resources.  This is an award-winning site that you will want to visit!
Starlanyl's FMS and CMP Website

Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation (AHMF, Australia)

This foundation was founded by the family and friends of Alison Hunter to provide information and advocacy to persons with CFS/ME, and to promote international research collaboration. (The Hunter-Hopkins Center was also named in memory of Alison).
http://www.ahmf.org/index.html

Canadian National ME/FM Network

non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the recognition and understanding of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
http://www.mefmaction.net/

Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation

A volunteer organization that educates both patients and professionals about FM. Most notable are exercise videos by Sharon Clark, Janice Hoffman, and R. Bennett, MD, on stretching, aerobic exercise and strengthening in persons with FM.
http://www.myalgia.com/

Workwell Physiology Services

Staci Stevens and her associates specialize in exercise programs and energy conservation in persons with CFS/ME/FM.
http://www.workwellservices.com/

KCP Physical Therapy

Our local Physical Therapy resource for persons with CFS/ME/FM. Joy Pfuhl and Joyce Kight are particularly skilled at dealing with the mechanical problems caused by CFS/ME/FM.
http://KCPphysicaltherapy.com/

CFS/ME Aktuel by Regina Clos

CFS/ME information in German.  http://www.cfs-aktuell.de

ME-Site by Lajla Mark

Information on ME in Danish and in English.  http://www.MEsite.dk

Other helpful resources

Resource for indigent patients seeking reduced or free meds

http://www.phrma.org
 

ImmuneSupport.com / Pro Health

Resource for information and supplements (commercial). Billed as ‘the world’s largest site for CFs and FM with over five million annual visitors and over 6000 articles…’
http://www.immunesupport.com/

Wellness Books (commercial)

A division of Amazon.com. This link will take you directly to books about CFS/ME/FM.
http://www.wellnessbooks.com/cfs

Hemispherx Biopharma (commercial)

Hemispherx produces the drug Ampligen, which is currently being studied for the treatment of CFS/ME.
http://www.hemispherx.net/

Updated October 2009