Study finds clue to chronic fatigue, chronic Lyme

Associated Press ^ | February 23, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Scientists have discovered proteins in spinal fluid that can distinguish people with two mysterious illnesses that mimic each other — chronic fatigue syndrome and a kind of chronic Lyme disease.

Wednesday's study is small and needs verification. But specialists called it a promising start at clearing some of the confusion surrounding two illnesses with similar symptoms and no good means of diagnosis.

"It's a very important first step," said Dr. Suzanne Vernon of the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America.

[decimon]

Chronic ping.

[Seizethecarp]

This could lead to a diagnostic test for CFS that the insurance companies and the shrinks at the CDC and the UK won't be able to shrug off as just being “in the head” of the person with CFS.

I suspect that for CFS, this might be caused by XMRV virus. Post-lyme folks are reported to test positive for XMRV at high rates, too, IIRC.

[steve86]

Wonder if this might have application to the mysterious “Morgellon’s Disease”, which does seem to be linked in some cases to Lyme.

[steve86]

And linked to CFS, for that matter.

[mcshot]

Ah cause for hope and help. Debilitating pain and overwhelming fatigue are most difficult especially with the ongoing controversy and lack of effective treatment regimens.