Ok, so today I've been searching around on the web, and I think I've found some interesting information that could possibly support a post-viral reason for "BFS". This may be WAY out in left field, but I found this really interesting.
Somehow, I came across some sites about post-polio syndrome which is a syndrome that affects polio survivors. In mild cases, it has some of the same symptoms we are all experiencing (fatigue, muscle twitcing, sleep problems, and sometimes weakness). In fact, most of the sites I visited mentioned that many patients feared they were coming down with ALS.
Now, I'm not saying that we all have some form of polio. However, it could be that our bodies are responding to some past virus in the same manner and timeframe in which post-polio syndrom manifests. It could even be that our bodies are having latent-reactions to the former vaccines that we were given as children--possibly for polio. (just throwing out guesses!!)
Here are the interesting pieces:
PPS (post-polio-syndrome) affects past polio survivors anywhere from
10 to 40 years after their initial bout with the disease.
The diagnosis is made by exclusion (the docs rule out Myesthina Gravis, ALS and other neuro diseases through specific exams) before determining that it's PPS. Meaning there is no definitive test--rather because of the past history of polio along with current symptoms and exams to rule out other diseases...the diagnosis of PPS is made.
The post-polio-syndrome 'attack' usually lasts anywhere from 1-10 years before the body is back to normal...(sometimes there can be lasting residual effects). Stress usually makes the symptoms worse.
OK--now lets compare these 'timelines' with BFS. Say we all had some type of virus when we were very young...or let's even consider that we all had normal immunizations as infants and children. I'd say we all fit the timeframe that the onset of our current symptoms are within 10-40 years past our infant-children stage.
We all have strange symptoms that 'could' mimic ALS....yet the bulk of us have had exams to rule it out.
The average timeline for PPS is 1-10 years duration. Now didn't someone on here mention that the Mayo study for BFS had an average duration of around 4 years?? (I can't remember-so someone will have to correct me).
Of course, my mind is whirling right now--it could be that our bodies are producing some type of latent response to the polio vaccines we had as children.
If not that, it's interesting to see the timeframe of PPS--simply because it seems to mimic the timeframe of BFS--and therefore supports some type of post-viral origin.
If anyone wants to read further--just type 'post polio syndrome and muscle twitching' in your web browsers. Of course, PPS can be very serious--and I'm simply thinking that BFS could be something SIMILAR to this, but in a far more mild form.
Here's one link where I got most of the info:
If nothing else, it's just food for thought--
Amy
Somehow, I came across some sites about post-polio syndrome which is a syndrome that affects polio survivors. In mild cases, it has some of the same symptoms we are all experiencing (fatigue, muscle twitcing, sleep problems, and sometimes weakness). In fact, most of the sites I visited mentioned that many patients feared they were coming down with ALS.
Now, I'm not saying that we all have some form of polio. However, it could be that our bodies are responding to some past virus in the same manner and timeframe in which post-polio syndrom manifests. It could even be that our bodies are having latent-reactions to the former vaccines that we were given as children--possibly for polio. (just throwing out guesses!!)
Here are the interesting pieces:
PPS (post-polio-syndrome) affects past polio survivors anywhere from
10 to 40 years after their initial bout with the disease.
The diagnosis is made by exclusion (the docs rule out Myesthina Gravis, ALS and other neuro diseases through specific exams) before determining that it's PPS. Meaning there is no definitive test--rather because of the past history of polio along with current symptoms and exams to rule out other diseases...the diagnosis of PPS is made.
The post-polio-syndrome 'attack' usually lasts anywhere from 1-10 years before the body is back to normal...(sometimes there can be lasting residual effects). Stress usually makes the symptoms worse.
OK--now lets compare these 'timelines' with BFS. Say we all had some type of virus when we were very young...or let's even consider that we all had normal immunizations as infants and children. I'd say we all fit the timeframe that the onset of our current symptoms are within 10-40 years past our infant-children stage.
We all have strange symptoms that 'could' mimic ALS....yet the bulk of us have had exams to rule it out.
The average timeline for PPS is 1-10 years duration. Now didn't someone on here mention that the Mayo study for BFS had an average duration of around 4 years?? (I can't remember-so someone will have to correct me).
Of course, my mind is whirling right now--it could be that our bodies are producing some type of latent response to the polio vaccines we had as children.
If not that, it's interesting to see the timeframe of PPS--simply because it seems to mimic the timeframe of BFS--and therefore supports some type of post-viral origin.
If anyone wants to read further--just type 'post polio syndrome and muscle twitching' in your web browsers. Of course, PPS can be very serious--and I'm simply thinking that BFS could be something SIMILAR to this, but in a far more mild form.
Here's one link where I got most of the info:
If nothing else, it's just food for thought--
Amy