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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.

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by Lucy Dechéne, Ph.D.
The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association Winter 2003 UPDATE

As a fitting close to my tenure as medical editor of The UPDATE, I thought it would be appropriate to give a summary of what is known about some of the more popular supplements used by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) patients.

The information is from the Physician's Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements 1 and all quoted material is from that book.

Of course, one always needs to avoid supplements with ingredients to which one is allergic or sensitive, and ME/CFS and FM patients do have a high degree of sensitivity and allergy. In addition, pregnant and lactating women are warned that not enough is known about these supplements' effects on fetuses and babies, so they should avoid all of them. I'm not going to repeat those warnings for each supplement.

Always keep in mind our golden rule for any medications and supplements, start with a low dose and gradually increase it.

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.