Educational Resources

Table of Contents

• Most Current Video/Media Listing (as of 4/21/05)
• Packet of Dr. Cheney Information Previously Available
• Advanced Techniques for Overcoming CFIDS, FMS and GWS 
• Diagnosing CFIDS/FMS: Why "Medical vs Psychological" is Important by Dr. Mary Schweitzer
• Homemade Cleaners for those with MCS
• Bulletin Board: Legal and Medical 
• Lending Library - Volunteer Needed!
• More Medical Information on our Website 
• One-to-One: It Helped Me!
• Stress Management

Dr. Cheney Information
We used to mail out a packet with 36 pages of information transcribed from visits with Dr. Cheney. However, that infomation is now available on the website. You can find it by going to the Cheney section. There is also some Cheney information within the newsletters, however, I don't know which ones specifically. I'll get a list of this on here as soon as possible.

Myra Preston, PhD; April 2000
"Cognitive Dysfunction in CFS & FM: Testing and Treatment." A neurophysiologist and psychophysiologist in Charlotte, Dr. Preston has a patented QEEG test specifically for CFS, as well as a patented biofeedback treatment program, both of which she explains in detail in the seminar. 

Her test is in demand by some of the top disability lawyers to document cognitive impairment in CFS. She has been deposed dozens of times, and her test stands up in court. She stated that they have won over 100 of these cases. 

She described the abnormal brain wave activity that is virtually unique to CFS, as well as the patterns found in FM. Her QEEG is unique in that it performed while patients are undergoing cognitive challenge. It provides objective evidence of brain wave phase reversals (sudden inexplicable "power drains") and the shift out of beta activity (associated with thinking) into delta and theta activity (associated with sleep and pre-sleep states in healthy people) during cognitive challenge. 

She showed slides of abnormal CFS and FM brain wave activity and explained the correlations with specific symptoms. Her assistant reviewed the results of a double-blind study in which Dr. Preston identified over 90% of the CFS patients and controls by studying their QEEGs. The comparisons between the control group and the CFS group on several specific items were particularly striking, highlighting the pronounced abnormalities in the CFS patients. 

Dr. Preston explained her biofeedback treatment, which symptoms saw improvement, how quickly, and in what order. Biofeedback is not a cure but can lead to significant improvement in a wide range of symptoms. Long-term follow-up shows that 80% or more of benefits are maintained long after the treatment has ended. 

Dr. Preston's reports have expanded greatly in the last year and include a powerful section on "central" fatigue (originating in the brain) and "peripheral" fatigue (originating in the body). Preston states both are likely involved in CFS. There is also another powerful section on the role of stress and depression in CFS. Preston emphasizes the organic nature of the illness, the distinctions between CFS and primary depression, and the difference between reactive versus primary depression.

Paul Cheney, MD, PhD; May 1999

"The Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment of CFIDS". Topics included proposed causes, symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis, stages of illness, treatment, prognosis, disability issues, and similarities and differences with Fibromyalgia. The question and answer session covered many issues, including Mycoplasma testing and treatment, genetics, CFS in children, cancer risk. Dr. Cheney utilized a great many high quality and sophisticated slides in his presentation. 

Diagnosing CFIDS/FMS:
Why "Medical vs Psychological" is Important
Written by Mary Schweitzer, Ph.D. the following article was posted in the news service at www.co-cure.org. Mary has constructed a wonderful website titled The CFIDS/M.E. Information Page www.cfids-me.org

The antipathy within the CFIDS/ME population to being diagnosed as having a primary psychiatric disorder has nothing to do with whether an individuals we have any prejudices about primary pyschiatric disorders. It stems, rather, from the more obvious probem of getting the correct diagnois and the correct treatment. 

If a patient with a broken leg is diagnosed as having primary melacholic depression (because he doesn't go anywhere) and given Prozac—that is the wrong diagnois and the wrong prescription. That is the point. Wrong diagnois, wrong prescription.

Let me suggest the work of DeLuca, et al on measuring mood disorders in CFIDS/ME patients. They found that CFIDS/ME patients neither tested as "normals" on standard tests of major mood disorders, no did they test like patients with primary melancholic depression. Rather, they tested almost precisely like MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patients. 

Fewer that half of diagnoised CFIDS/FMS patients have secondary depression. Of course, those with secondary depression need to be treated - but after being treated for secondary depression, they continue to have their CFIDS/ME symptoms. Coping techniques can help, of course, but again, the main problem—CFIDS/ME—remains. 

THIS, then, is the issue. What is the appropriate diagnois, and what is the appropriate treatment? It's really very simple. Primary psychlogical disorders are the wrong diagnosis for CFIDS/FMS patients, and psychlogical treatments are the wrong protocol—unless of course one thinks the best way to treat someone with a broken leg is with Prozac, psycotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.