What should be ruled out before diagnosing patient with M.E.?

[Mrs Stellar]

I was diagnosed with M.E. after limited testing and just a month of sickness 13 years ago. The way things have panned out, it is likely that diagnosis is accurate. However, I worry that by telling doctors I was diagnosed with ME, they might ignore other possibilities and only be able to see ME in my list of symptoms.

So, what basic testing would you expect to/did receive before being diagnosed with ME? You can also include your fantasy list of tests/diseases to be excluded but please make it obvious that they are a fantasy. I am hoping to pull together some specific requests for my family doctor that she will have a hard time saying no to.

If there is a thread that already answers this, I will be happy to go there. I couldn't find it. Thanks!

 

[Rebeccare]

The things my doctors made worked to rule out before my diagnosis (that I know of) were lyme disease, mono, lupus, anemia, atypical migraines, HIV, various infections, and celiac disease.

 

[MTpockets]

I was tested for heavy metals, vitamin deficiencies, lyme disease and coinfections, MS, and a few other things I don't remember.

 

[PatJ]

Hip's Roadmap for Testing and Treatment - Hip is a member of Phoenix Rising who has compiled a detailed document that looks at ruling out other conditions, and covers potential treatments.

 

[Shoshana]

As many of the different thyroid tests as you can get your doctor to order.
They are probably included in Hip's Roadmap.

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

One that is near and dear to me is described in the following post in detail:

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...y-epi-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs.62997/

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is sadly not on the radar of most doctors. Certainly most family practice or primary care physicians do not recognize the symptoms and most have no clue how to even test for it properly.