Will Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Ever Get A Name Change? “The Campaign for a Fair Name for CFS”

Posted by Catherine Morgan on April 7, 2007

A Name Change For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome — Will It Ever Happen? — by Catherine Morgan

According to published research, CFS patients and researchers alike feel that the present name trivializes the serious nature of the disease by labeling it “fatigue” – a symptom that is shared by almost everyone at some point in their life. — read full article

As a person diagnosed with CFS, the name has been devastating in almost as many ways as the disease itself has. Not only do most regular people think it is a name for someone who is no different than they are (as “everyone” has fatigue), but my experience has been that most doctors do not even except CFS as a “real” diagnosis. Hence, the need for a more respectable and acceptable name for this devastating disease.

The members of this Name Change Advisory Board number among the most published, quoted, and highly regarded CFS experts in the nation – and collectively represent more than 150 years of direct CFS clinical and research experience. — read full article

Unfortunately, the only way that I can see CFS getting a new name, is if the pharmaceutical companies come up with a new and expensive medication (or an old one they can rename) to treat CFS. I am very serious about this. Did you ever hear of “ED” or “erectile dysfunction” before the pharmaceutical companies developed a medication to treat it??? Sure you did……it was called “impotence”. But, how many people (men really) want to go to their doctor and complain of impotence?? It is a little known fact, that the pharmaceutical companies literally rename many conditions to suite their ability to peddle their latest creations. Not to minimize these conditions in any way, but some others are; RLS, or Restless Leg Syndrome, IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, SAD, or Social Anxiety Disorder….the list goes on and on, just look at the commercials on TV each day. I’m not saying these conditions aren’t real, or that they don’t deserve recognition, and treatment. I’m just saying that the only reason they have recognition and treatment, is because they are profitable to the pharmaceutical companies.

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So basically, for better or for worse, the only way I see the name Chronic Fatigue Syndrome changing is if the profit machines (or pharmaceutical companies) will benefit from a name change. And if that is the case, chances are the name will never be changed; due to the fact that the pharmaceutical companies want to be able to market to the masses, and what better way to do that than with a medical condition that “everyone” can have….such as Chronic Fatigue.

I guess the only real way I see a new name for CFS happening, is if people that have chronic fatigue (only fatigue), are diagnosed with CFS….and then a totally new medical diagnosis is given for the condition of debilitating symptoms now also associated with CFS (including fatigue). Does that make sense??? What I mean is….There are so many other debilitating symptoms aside from fatigue, that the “fatigue” part should be recognized as one of many symptoms of [a] disease, not [the] disease.

Well, these are just my thoughts…..I’ve kind-of given up on the idea that anyone (doctors or otherwise) will ever recognize the seriousness of my condition. But, at least I don’t have to worry about ever suffering from “ED”.

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ALSO SEE:

INFORMATION ON CFS THAT YOU CAN PRINT OUT AND GIVE TO YOUR DOCTOR, WRITTEN BY DOCTORS, FOR DOCTORS.

VIDEOS THAT EXPLAIN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, YOU CAN PASS THEM ON TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

TIPS FOR LIVING WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.

IT’S NOT EASY…..TO BE….ME.

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