Thread by @wildersreese

🧵 It’s #DisabilityPrideMonth and we’re seeing another wave of COVID globally, so here’s a list of reasons why you should watch the Netflix documentary ‘Unrest’ and educate yourself on #MECFS and #LongCovid

ME/CFS, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a multisystem, physical disease that can be identified by its cardinal symptom, PEM (Post Exertional Malaise), in which after activity, the individual experiences a delayed worsening of symptoms. 1/

These symptoms are debilitating and leaves sufferers after activity, even on the mild end of the spectrum, with migraines, light/noise sensitivity, vertigo, nausea, vision changes, widespread muscle/joint pain, weakness, orthostatic intolerance and at its worst, paralysis. 2/

Those who are in the very severe category are often bedbound, confined to a darkened, noiseless room and unable to tolerate any noise, sound, or even the touch of their loved ones because it leaves them in agony. 3/

Some can’t eat due to #Gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach becomes paralysed and no longer digests food normally, preventing proper gastric emptying. Patients with this condition to the severe extent are unable to hold down food, and need to be tube fed. 4/

Due to the psychologisation of ME/CFS and recently, Long Covid, and its comorbidities #EDS #POTS #Fibromyalgia and #MCAS, patients with this condition often go undiagnosed, or even worse, misdiagnosed with psychological disorders and abused in the medical system. 5/

Some doctors believe that ME/CFS and Long Covid are psychological conditions and give the diagnosis, however, they treatments such as #GET and #CBT which has been proven to be harmful to patients. The PACE trial which popularised these ‘treatments’ has been 6/

debunked and is now used as an example of what NOT to do in a study as after collecting data, they changed the previously outlined protocols to measure recovery to exaggerate findings. 7/

As GET, Graded Exercise Therapy, works to ‘gradually increase the (individual)’s activity levels’, it completely ignores the basis of PEM and encourages patients to push through symptoms, which over time, leads to patients worsening permanently. 8/

With the rise of BA.5 globally, it is inevitable that we will see an increase in people getting along Covid. Despite popular belief, it is NOT only the ‘sick and elderly’ who get COVID, are hospitalised or get ‘really sick’ from it. 9/

Post Viral Illness does NOT discriminate.
Anyone can get Long Covid, even if you’re healthy and have no pre-existing conditions, or even if you’re a child. @LongCovidKids is proof of that. 10/

So, please stay safe and keep masking, isolate if you or a family member/friend is sick even if it’s not COVID, avoid large social gatherings and if you had or have COVID, please look out for signs of PEM and #StopRestPace. Do NOT push through symptoms. 11/

@MEActNet’s website has more information about ME/CFS and Long Covid, about it’s symptoms, comorbidities, research news and what to/what not to do. meaction.net 12/

So, please watch Unrest on Netflix, and if you are disabled, if you’re healthy, if you’re young or old, please learn more about #MECFS and #LongCovid. Here is a link to watch Unrest for free on youtube if you don’t have access to Netflix.

End of thread.