Care for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia, and or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)? It is still over the horizon and a large number of people are waiting for something that might not ever be made available to them. Many people have waited decades for treatments that have yet to materialize. The future is far away.

working to improve care for people living with:

ME/CFS myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

FM fibromyalgia

ES/MCS environmental sensitivities/multiple chemical sensitivities

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Co-morbid conditions

There are many conditions that are co-morbid (can co-exist) with ME and, where present, usually mean an increased symptom burden. It is important to recognize these co-morbid conditions.

Fibromyalgia, a common co-morbid diagnosis is an example as it can increase the muscle pain experienced. Identifying and appropriately treating co-morbidities can improve quality of life.

Just to give a small sample of conditions co-morbid with ME:

  • fibromyalgia (as already mentioned),
  • multiple chemical sensitivity,
  • orthostatic intolerance,
  • irritable bowel syndrome,
  • migraine headache,
  • sleep apnea, and
  • ehlers-danlos syndrome

More common co-morbid conditions

From the US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition: “Diagnosing and Treating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)” (page four) “Identifying Commonly Comorbid Conditions”.

“In the past, a diagnosis of ME/CFS was made by first excluding all other possible conditions. However, the 2015 National Academy of Medicine report established ME/CFS as a positive diagnosis that can coexist with other conditions, including those in the differential diagnosis.

Recognizing co-morbid conditions early and treating them appropriately may improve the patient’s health, function, and quality of life.”

Autonomic Dysfunction

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS),

Neurally Mediated Hypotension (NMH),

Orthostatic Hypotension

Fibromyalgia,

Ehlers-Dankos Syndrome,

Tempomandibular Joint Dysfunction,

Sicca Syndrome (dry eyes/mouth)

Sensory Hypersensitivities (light, sound, touch, odors or chemicals),

Poor Balance,

Migraine Headaches,

Peripheral Neuropathy,

Small Fiber Neuropathy

New or worsened allergies,

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome,

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities,

Chronic infections,

immunodeficiencies

Food Allergy and Intolerances, including to milk protein,

Gut motility issues,

Celiac Disease,

Irritable Bowel Syndrome,

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Hypothyroidism,

Hypothalamus-Pituitary- Adrenal Axis dysregulation (low normal or flattened cortisol curve),

Metabolic Syndrome

Sleep Apnea,

Restless Leg Syndrome,

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Secondary Anxiety,

Secondary Depression

Endometriosis,

Premenstrual Syndrome,

Vulvodynia

Interstitial Cystitis,

Overactive Bladder,

Nutritional deficiencies,

Vitamin B12 and D deficiencies,

Obesity

Click on the download button for a printable list of these conditions.

Download "Identifying Commonly Comorbid Conditions"

The same list was published in a supplemental table along with the following article:

Bateman L, Bested AC, Bonilla HF, Chheda BV, Chu L, Curtin JM, Dempsey TT, Dimmock ME, Dowell TG, Felsenstein D, Kaufman DL, Klimas NG, Komaroff AL, Lapp CW, Levine SM, Montoya JG, Natelson BH, Peterson DL, Podell RN, Rey IR, Ruhoy IS, Vera-Nunez MA, Yellman BP. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021 Nov;96(11):2861-2878. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.07.004 Epub 2021 Aug 25. PMID: 34454716. supplemental table 1 scroll down until you reach Supplemental table 3 entitled: Conditions Which Commonly Co-exist with ME/CFS.