"What is your response to the IOM Report?" (Survey conducted by Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association between Feb 32 and March 20, 2015)

"What were your earliest symptoms of ME/CFS?" (Survey conducted by Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association March 30 – April 18, 2015)

The results of these two surveys are now available.

IOM Report Survey. The 86 responses to the IOM Report survey represented a range of opinion from highly positive to dismissive, and most were thoughtful and showed a good understanding of the contents of the report. All of the responses were provided to the CFSAC IOM/P2P Working Group members (as indicated would be done in the Introduction to the survey), and a sampling/summary of responses is published here.

Early Onset Symptoms Survey. This survey received 800 responses and included many comments.The survey is not scientific, but the large number of responses makes it significant.The results suggest that the symptoms in the first few months of the illness (or what later turns into ME/CFS) are quite heterogeneous, with fatigue and cognitive impairment occurring most frequently. Clearly this is an area that deserves further study. If the disease (or the triggering events, such as infectious mononucleosis or a severe flu-like illness) is recognized early and proper treatment/management is provided (e.g. rest as needed), perhaps fewer people would develop the severe, chronic form which we identify as “ME/CFS.” Results are summarized here.