Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex multi-system disease with no cure and no FDA-approved treatment. Approximately 25% of patients are house or bedbound, and some are so severe in function that they require tube-feeding and are unable to tolerate light, sound, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/11/1537 |
| _version_ | 1797510129083482112 |
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| author | Rachel K. Straub Christopher M. Powers |
| author_facet | Rachel K. Straub Christopher M. Powers |
| author_sort | Rachel K. Straub |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex multi-system disease with no cure and no FDA-approved treatment. Approximately 25% of patients are house or bedbound, and some are so severe in function that they require tube-feeding and are unable to tolerate light, sound, and human touch. The overall goal of this case report was to (1) describe how past events (e.g., chronic sinusitis, amenorrhea, tick bites, congenital neutropenia, psychogenic polydipsia, food intolerances, and hypothyroidism) may have contributed to the development of severe ME/CFS in a single patient, and (2) the extensive medical interventions that the patient has pursued in an attempt to recover, which enabled her to return to graduate school after becoming bedridden with ME/CFS 4.5 years prior. This paper aims to increase awareness of the harsh reality of ME/CFS and the potential complications following initiation of any level of intervention, some of which may be necessary for long-term healing. Treatments may induce severe paradoxical reactions (Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction) if high infectious loads are present. It is our hope that sharing this case will improve research and treatment options for ME/CFS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:27:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21684592fca94904b256d0ae6e1e8e08 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:27:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-21684592fca94904b256d0ae6e1e8e082023-11-22T23:32:18ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-11-01911153710.3390/healthcare9111537Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are PresentRachel K. Straub0Christopher M. Powers1Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 E. Alcazar St., CHP-155, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9006, USADivision of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 E. Alcazar St., CHP-155, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9006, USAMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex multi-system disease with no cure and no FDA-approved treatment. Approximately 25% of patients are house or bedbound, and some are so severe in function that they require tube-feeding and are unable to tolerate light, sound, and human touch. The overall goal of this case report was to (1) describe how past events (e.g., chronic sinusitis, amenorrhea, tick bites, congenital neutropenia, psychogenic polydipsia, food intolerances, and hypothyroidism) may have contributed to the development of severe ME/CFS in a single patient, and (2) the extensive medical interventions that the patient has pursued in an attempt to recover, which enabled her to return to graduate school after becoming bedridden with ME/CFS 4.5 years prior. This paper aims to increase awareness of the harsh reality of ME/CFS and the potential complications following initiation of any level of intervention, some of which may be necessary for long-term healing. Treatments may induce severe paradoxical reactions (Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction) if high infectious loads are present. It is our hope that sharing this case will improve research and treatment options for ME/CFS.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/11/1537myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)post-exertional malaisedie-off reactionschronic illnessLyme disease |
| spellingShingle | Rachel K. Straub Christopher M. Powers Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present Healthcare myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) post-exertional malaise die-off reactions chronic illness Lyme disease |
| title | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present |
| title_full | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present |
| title_fullStr | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present |
| title_short | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch–Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present |
| title_sort | chronic fatigue syndrome a case report highlighting diagnosing and treatment challenges and the possibility of jarisch herxheimer reactions if high infectious loads are present |
| topic | myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) post-exertional malaise die-off reactions chronic illness Lyme disease |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/11/1537 |
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