ME International is an all-volunteer organization and recognizes myalgic encephalomyelitis as a neurological disease classified by the World Health Organization under G93.3. The purpose of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) International is to support ME organizations, educate the general public, medical providers, and governments throughout the world as well as support ME patients, caregive
rs, advocates, family and friends. If you would like to volunteer to help, please click on the
"Join ME Intl" button at www.ME-International.org
ME is characterized by immune and neurological dysfunction with severe exacerbation of systemic illness following any exertion. ME is understood to be an inability to properly generate energy within cells which often prevents sufferers from working, studying, or otherwise living a normal and functional life. Melvin Ramsay described ME and laid the ground work for recognizing ME as a distinct disease. Over the years the ME patient population was lumped in with other patient groups with a focus on fatigue which ignored many of the original characteristics of ME. In 2011 a panel of experts who had over 500 years of combined experience collaborated to create the International Consensus Criteria (ICC), whose precursor was the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC). The ICC in combination with the IC Primer closely aligns with the original patient group described by Dr. Ramsay. If we had one criteria for ME adopted, we would have a better chance of getting doctors, governments and other organizations to support our cause. ME International supports the adoption of the International Consensus Criteria (ICC) and the practical guidance in the IC Primer.
