From: Legal Disability Manual for Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Editor: Marjorie van de Sande, National ME/FM Action Network FMS & ME/CFS Overview Blood Transfusion and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome K. De Meirleir, P. De. Becker, I. Campine. Human Physiology and Medicine Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Reprinted with permission from Dr. De Meirleir Presented at the Sydney February 1999 CFS Conference.
We analysed the data of 1210 consecutive patients complaining of chronic fatigue who visited our fatigue clinic at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
In this group, 752 patients fulfilled the CDC criteria for CFS (Fuduka, 1994). Of those CFS patients, 34 (4.5%) have a common factor in their past medical history that immediately preceded the onset of their CFS.
These patients had received a blood transfusion a few days to a week prior to developing a flu-like syndrome that later proved to be the acute onset of their CFS. Another 8 patients also received a blood transfusion but their illness only started at least two months later, so that we cannot take these patients into our calculations.
None of these post-transfusion patients developed hepatitis C or other types of viral hepatitis. Some have antibodies (IgG) in time relationship to the blood transfusion could not be determined. In 9 of 35 patients the LMW RNase L account for the upregulation of the total RNase L enzyme activity. This 2-5A synthetase Rnase L pathway is activated in viral disorders.
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I had a blood transfusion Mar 2011 for a bleeding ulcer. I was in the hospital for 10 days. When I went home I felt like I had flu symptoms and had no energy. I assumed it was due to lack of excercise and blood loss. I believed it would take some time and I would be back to my old self. Eight months later I am worse!! My doctor has diagnosed me with CFS. I asked him if I could have developed this from the blood transfusion and he said no. Little doctors know about CFS!! I am scheduled to see a specialist in two months. I can't wait to get some answers on helping me improve the quality of my life. I hate feeling like this, aching, tired, headaches, nausea, and now depressed. Thank you for your article and helping answer one question I have asked....how did I get this crap!! Now I believe I have that answer!!
ReplyDeleteIt might be worth looking at the recent Ottawa conference on this. Up to one third of patients with ME have had a blood transfusion. I am not sure how this compares to the general population however.
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