By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Chronic fatigue syndrome is spreading around Geelong, according to a local support group.
Chronic Fatigue/ME Support group’s Sue Collins said more people were battling the “extremely debilitating illness”.
Attendance at the group’s monthly meetings had grown during its 14 years but many other victims were undiagnosed, she said.
“There’s still a lack of knowledge and information, which can make diagnosis difficult for medical practitioners and understanding of this very complex condition challenging.
“This can lead to sufferers feeling quite isolated and withdrawing. It’s not uncommon to hear of people who’ve lost their jobs, lifestyle and connections with friends and family who also struggle to understand what to do and how to help the people they love.
“Sufferers and their carers can feel so alone and mental health and clinical depression also often make an impact.”
Ms Collins said the support group focussed on raising awareness of chronic fatigue and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) to assure sufferers they were “not alone”.
Local GP Dr Joe Di Stefano, who originally diagnosed Ms Collins, said environmental factors such as pollutants, drugs, stress, smoking, diets and “lifestyles” might be causing the chronic fatigue increase, while genetics could also play a role.
Dr Di Stefano said the condition was related to a failure of the immune system with a “complicated chemical pathological basis”.
He said CFS/ME sufferers often experienced a wide range of symptoms, so they visited multiple specialists who missed seeing the complete picture.
“It takes time to look at the whole person,” Dr Di Stefano said.
“People feel depressed because tests are not showing up anything. People grieve because it significantly affects their lifestyle but people need to know that many do get better over time and there’s something they can do about it.
“It gives people control over their lives again and offers them the support to cope.”
The CFS/ME support group meets 1pm on the first Tuesday of each month at Uniting Church, Saffron St, Newtown.
The group will host a high tea next Tuesday for anyone who believes they or a family members might have one of the conditions.
