Telegraph article 9.11.15: Finally the press... - Ramsays Disease

Ramsays Disease

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Telegraph article 9.11.15

msBrightside profile image
11 Replies

Finally the press picked up something a little more factual!

telegraph.co.uk/wellbeing/h...

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msBrightside profile image
msBrightside
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11 Replies
Ian123 profile image
Ian123

The medical politics appear as though they are changing, having something similar from the Lancet and BMJ would signal a new era of investigation into this disease.

ukmsmi4 profile image
ukmsmi4

Yes it's a start and particularly in light of the recent debacle over the PACE/Oxford study it makes a pleasant change.

Except the article they provide the link to stating that the first evidence has been found of biological proof is by no means the first. As several people point out in the comments section of that article, there have been many studies showing biological processes in the disease.

It's also disappointing that although the article refers to ME and even discusses the requirement to give the condition a more effective name than chronic fatigue as this is confusing and only refers to one of many symptoms, it still nevertheless includes a "Fact Box" that discusses chronic fatigue. Particularly disappointing is that it misses out the one defining symptom of PEM that is required in order to diagnose ME.

Yes it's a start but I really wish the journalists writing about the condition would actually do some effective research. Though perhaps that is another topic of discussion altogether!

I agree it would be good to hear similar comments from the BMJ and Lancet then we might actually have a chance of some useful and meaningful definition by NICE leading to some sort of accurate treatment. And you never know maybe even research in this country that approaches the condition from a biological viewpoint.

Theresa60 profile image
Theresa60 in reply toukmsmi4

Journalists researching beyond Science Media Centre handouts sounds revolutionary cannot see a day when that approach will have popular support from the media seeking attention grabbing headlines.

Prosperous careers in psychiatry are at risk further psychosocial theories are inevitable unless I am very much mistaken.

MrsSowester profile image
MrsSowester in reply toTheresa60

The author, Dr James LeFanu is a practising GP. For anyone who hasn't come across it his weekly online health clinic column is very good; someone wrote in some years ago with the symptoms of ME and he confidently diagnosed ME-CFS saying it is a physical illness. He used to prescribe Sertraline to his ME patients.

Dr James and Graham Norton are the only contributors that could tempt me to the Telegraph!

Seascape profile image
Seascape in reply toMrsSowester

Afraid the Telegraphs reputation has suffered that I no longer trust the reporting more than I can the Independent which really is saying a great deal on journalism standards.

My complaint of damage caused by poor standards was entered through my account at the Telegraph at present no response beyond under consideration and two articles in the paper with an alternative view than portrayed by Sarah Knapton science editor.

ringading profile image
ringading in reply toMrsSowester

Using Sertraline is similar with low doses of Amitriptyline I began taking at 10mg level in hope of refreshing sleep.

ukmsmi4 profile image
ukmsmi4

By the way if anyone is interested and hasn't yet signed, this is the MEAssociation petition to get the PACE/Oxford trial retracted.

my.meaction.net/petitions/p...

Margaret :)

pandemic profile image
pandemic in reply toukmsmi4

Closing on ten thousand signatures now.

Babylon5 profile image
Babylon5

It's too good to be true it would be good to think the sheer stupidity of insisting otherwise could be the last hurrah for the psychological theories.

CheshireKatz profile image
CheshireKatz

Love the journey quote

carch520 profile image
carch520

First biological proof ME is real research is after the Institute of Medicine looked at fifty years of research and wrote a report saying that it was already officially real.

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