[sunnydee]

If I think I have CFS/FM, what type of doctor should I see?

[jccgf]

I would start with an integrative/functional medicine doctor because they seem to do more thorough investigative work in terms of uncovering what may be the root cause of your illness. DAN! (defeat autism now) doctors often treat adult patients with FMS/CFS~ you could call ahead and see. They will do immunological testing, food sensitiity testing, nutritional testing, etc.

Most of these doctors are MDs (I'd look for one who is), and then they have gone on to specialize in biomedical approaches to solving chronic illness.

You can check these lists, but it is always best to have a personal recommendation for a new doctor... unfortunately sometimes we just have to wing it.

http://www.autismwebsite.com/practitioners/us_lc.htm
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/pract.shtml
http://www.aaemonline.org/
http://www.savvypatients.com/links.htm


If you have not yet been screened for gluten or other food sensitivity, you may want to do that. Any doctor can request the needed tests.

You might also want to check out some of the resourses listed here:
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...atiguesyndrome


This discusses a study showing that 3/5 of a group with ME had gluten antibodies.
http://www.celiac.com/articles/113/1...VFS/Page1.html

Gluten sensitivity is associated with wide ranging neurological manifestations~ most commonly associated with ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and seizures~ but also:

Mark B. Skeen From: Neurologic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Disease, Neurologic Clinics, Volume 20, Number 1, February 2002

"Neurologic disease associated with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease includes a wide range of manifestations:

Central nervous system (CNS) manifestations include dementia, cerebellar ataxia, myelopathy, encephalopathy, brain stem encephalitis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy,chronic, progressive leukoencephalopathy, progressive myoclonic ataxia, seizures, isolated CNS vasculitis, and a syndrome of celiac disease with encephalopathy and bilateral occipital calcifications.”

“Several reports document the existence of peripheral neuropathy in association with celiac disease.”

Cara

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by sunnydee

If I think I have CFS/FM, what type of doctor should I see?

CFS is an outdated name as medical knowledge has moved on from then when it was a default diagnosis-i.e. we don't know what is wrong, so we'll call it a syndrome, and name it after one of the numerous symptoms, even though it is not a common one.
The proper name now is ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.)
There are tests that can be done to see if you have it.
If your doctor says you have CFS, change doctors, as he/ she would be a waste of time.
Have a good look at this website to find out all you need to know about ME-symptoms, treatment, diagnosis etc.

http://www.hfme.org/testingforme.htm