Diagnosis
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Diagnosis
My GP has diagnosed me with CFS and I'm awaiting specialist services from referral.
My questions are in relation to bio-markers of CFS/M.E.
Would I be correct in saying that my diagnosis doesn't officially exist? I understand that I've been diagnosed by process of exclusion but Isn't CFS an umbrella term for a collection of undiagnosed symptoms? CFS is not listed in the World Health organisations International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is, however, listed as G93.3.
From my understanding would I be right in saying that I would need SPECT / MRI / EEG / PET scans as well as other diagnostic tests in order to be officially diagnosed with M.E (G93.3) as studies have shown and can people expect that level of diagnosis from specialist NHS CFS/M.E. services? If not, how can we be officially diagnosed with anything?
I understand that a lack of available bio-markers makes CFS/M.E. at present hard to officially diagnose. What do you think needs to change in order to obtain a definite diagnosis?
Thank you for your time.
My questions are in relation to bio-markers of CFS/M.E.
Would I be correct in saying that my diagnosis doesn't officially exist? I understand that I've been diagnosed by process of exclusion but Isn't CFS an umbrella term for a collection of undiagnosed symptoms? CFS is not listed in the World Health organisations International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is, however, listed as G93.3.
From my understanding would I be right in saying that I would need SPECT / MRI / EEG / PET scans as well as other diagnostic tests in order to be officially diagnosed with M.E (G93.3) as studies have shown and can people expect that level of diagnosis from specialist NHS CFS/M.E. services? If not, how can we be officially diagnosed with anything?
I understand that a lack of available bio-markers makes CFS/M.E. at present hard to officially diagnose. What do you think needs to change in order to obtain a definite diagnosis?
Thank you for your time.
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Dr Charles Shepherd
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:30 am
Re: Diagnosis
ME, CFS and ME/CFS are all officially recognised by the Department of Health (DoH), DWP, MRC and NICE - so you do have a condition that is 'official' !
ME is listed as a disorder of the central nervous system in section G93.3 of WHO ICD10. CFS is indexed to this G93.3 classification. The DoH has repeatedly made it clear that they accept this WHO neurological classification
ME and CFS have some overlapping symptoms but are defined differently for clinical purposes.
But there are no clear pathological or investigative abnormalities that separate ME from CFS - which is why many doctors simply view them as the same condition with different names
There aren't any tests or biomarkers that can confirm the diagnosis of ME or CFS, or separate the two
So the investigations you refer to (SPECT scans etc) are not normally used in the clinical assessment and diagnostic process
The MEA has a booklet - ME/CFS/PVFS - An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues - that covers all these investigations in much more detail along with a summary of abnormalities found using neuroimaging (= SPECT scans, MRI scans etc) in a research setting
MEA website and pdf order form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk
ME is listed as a disorder of the central nervous system in section G93.3 of WHO ICD10. CFS is indexed to this G93.3 classification. The DoH has repeatedly made it clear that they accept this WHO neurological classification
ME and CFS have some overlapping symptoms but are defined differently for clinical purposes.
But there are no clear pathological or investigative abnormalities that separate ME from CFS - which is why many doctors simply view them as the same condition with different names
There aren't any tests or biomarkers that can confirm the diagnosis of ME or CFS, or separate the two
So the investigations you refer to (SPECT scans etc) are not normally used in the clinical assessment and diagnostic process
The MEA has a booklet - ME/CFS/PVFS - An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues - that covers all these investigations in much more detail along with a summary of abnormalities found using neuroimaging (= SPECT scans, MRI scans etc) in a research setting
MEA website and pdf order form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association
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