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.

drdavidbellDr. David Bell is arguably one of the most respected and appreciated physicians among patients in the CFS/ME community.  He is a pioneer clinician and researcher who was first introduced to the debilitating effects of this disease during an outbreak in Lyndonville, NY, in the 1980’s.  Although now retired from his medical practice, he continues to participate in studies and research on this complex and difficult illness.

The Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association was pleased to host Dr. Bell at an event co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute Auditorium on Saturday, April 16, 2011.  Attendees included patients, family members, and medical practitioners from Massachusetts and several surrounding states.

In his lecture, "25 Year Follow-up in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Rising Incapacity," Dr. Bell spoke about his 13 year follow-up study paper and his more recent 25-year follow-up research.  He highlighted his findings about “health-identity confusion” and “rising incapacity” among surveyed subjects. He also spoke about oxidative stress as another potential contributing factor in the disease.  While he focused on long-term illness, he also spent time talking about the patients who had good results.

An enthusiastic Question and Answer period followed the lecture, and in the opening remarks Dr. Bell discussed the early research into XMRV and the current controversy surrounding this discovery.  Questions from the audience touched on a variety of topics including the likelihood of viral or retroviral involvement, individuals who present with chronic EBV, the possibility of casual transmission in the first six weeks of  the illness, the effects of IV saline and the benefits of B-12 treatments, the use of Provigil, the future of XMRV research, and more.

View the video of the lecture (55 minutes)

View the video of the Q&A (42 minutes)

"25 Year Follow-up in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Rising Incapacity"
(an article summarizing Dr. Bell’s remarks for those who prefer a written format)

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.