Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! So far the answers I'm seeing are indicating only one possible case with no significant improvement: the male patient that
@Yuno heard about from Dr. Gilete's assistant, who was "only moderate". I would describe myself as "only moderate" and yet I am unable to continue my career, and feel that I'm pretty useless in my present condition. It would, of course be helpful to know the details of that patients' presentation and if he had experienced positive effects from traction. Does Dr. Gilete perform invasive traction before proceeding with fusion? Another interesting question is, what is the longest period an ME/CFS patient has been ill and recovered after CC fusion?
I was looking at a slideshow from Dr. Henderson called
"Five-Year Follow Up of Craniocervical Fusions". The patients were largely EDS patients I believe. None were identified as ME/CFS patients. Only 30% reported improvement of fatigue post-op (see slide at 21 min). The symptoms that did improve in most patients are those one would specifically associate with brainstem compression: vertigo, headaches, balance issues, neck pain, muscular weakness and such. Also, few patients resumed work or school post-op. They attributed their inability to work to residual symptoms from connective tissue disorders such as musculoskeletal pain, POTS, GI disorders, and fatigue: the precise symptoms that many of us would hope to have resolved! Yet, those ME/CFS patients who have to date had the operation and improved are reporting resolution of these symptoms. I'm wondering why the discrepancy.
