Rainbow at shoreline

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association, a 501(c)3 founded in 1985, exists to meet the needs of patients with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or FM (Fibromyalgia), their families and loved ones. The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these severely-disabling physical illnesses. We also support patients and their families and advocate for more effective treatment and research.

Sunday Conversations - May 15, 2022

"Fibromyalgia”

Presented by Paul Monach, M.D.

The presentation is specific to Fibromyalgia (FM), but many patients with chronic complex diseases have symptoms or also a diagnosis of FM.

Sunday, May 15, 2022, 4 p.m. ET 

 

 

Paul Monach, M.D.

Paul Monach, M.D., is Chief of the Rheumatology Section in the Boston VA Healthcare System, and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. He has a PhD in immunology and completed residency and a rheumatology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston. He is a member of the Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center at Boston VA Healthcare System.

This is a virtual presentation via Zoom.

Video links:

Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz31KwoUbYrE9Uk71UjIDLGy2v6QVjwcN
Full event: https://youtu.be/cJxJLs1zLWM
Part 1-Fibromyalgia overview: https://youtu.be/PXkznGEg0ak
Part 2-Patient voices: https://youtu.be/IIFwzB-1CJQ
Part 3-Q&A: https://youtu.be/Ej7Ozno4oHo

Slides

Resources:

Fibromyalgia Resources 
FM Medications (arricle summary)


 

Sunday Conversations - April 24, 2022

"Working with Your Healthcare Provider”

Presented by Alba Azola, M.D.

The presentation is relevant to ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid and Chronic Lyme Disease.

Sunday, April 24, 2022, 4 p.m. ET 

 

 

Alba Azola, M.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Co-director of the PMR Post-Acute COVID-19 Team (JH PACT) Program.

Dr. Azola presented the physician's perspective: how patients can prepare for their visit, especially the initial visit, in a way that is most helpful for the physician to focus on the most important information so that the patient can get the most help from a limited time with the provider. She also discussed issues that providers experience in working with complex, chronic illness.

"Dave" and "Sue", parents of a teen with ME/CFS, shared the story of their challenges in finding and working with numerous providers to try to get help for their child.

Moderator: Karin Dove, MassME Patient Services Volunteer 

This is a virtual presentation via Zoom.

 

Links to video recordings:

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz31KwoUbYrGjlOUKA5Yz5dTMBKMDdolR

Full program: https://youtu.be/c7sACMrqsY0

Part 1 - Physician Perspective: https://youtu.be/5m1YadySvwA

Part 2 - Family Perspective: https://youtu.be/IFWMVNchb4g

Part 3 - Q&A: https://youtu.be/ZG3y_cBoVro

Slides

Resources for Working with your Healthcare Provider

 

 


 

NEW Art Therapy Group

Join us for a series of 5 bi-weekly art therapy classes featuring various creative exercises led by expressive art therapist, Kerry Lang, LMHC.  Kerry is a MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor with years of experience leading groups and workshops for those with chronic illness, specifically those with Lyme disease, and more recently Long-COVID and ME/CFS.

These 90-minute sessions will be a mix of fun, creativity, connection, vulnerability, and exploration. No experience with the arts is necessary- we welcome all levels of creative experience!

The group will meet on Zoom every other Thursday from 2:30 - 4:00 P.M.

The first session is Thursday, March 24th.

*Registration is open through March 14 for MassME members. Professional licensing requirements constrain us to offering this program to MA residents only. Class size is limited to 12 participants.  There is a $20 suggested donation to cover materials.

Click here for full details and registration information

 

 

Notice about names

The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS. 

Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.