Case study abstract:

This is a report on a patient with a history of increasing dizziness and muscle weakness after minimal exertion. In her twenties, the symptoms became more pronounced following glandular fever. After excluding other diseases, her physician diagnosed myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), now commonly referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The condition followed a relapsing-remitting course until about five years ago, when she experienced a sudden deterioration and developed new symptoms such as blurred vision in one eye and urinary incontinence. Whether this is a case of progressive ME or a new disease remains uncertain. Research is required both to increase diagnostic clarity and to establish whether the recommended behavioural interventions designed for CFS are appropriate for the subset of patients with neurological symptoms and abnormalities on MRI.

Progressive Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or A New Disease? A Case Report, by Sandra Howes and Ellen M Goudsmit in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – International Vol. 2, no.6, p 1052, July 9, 2015