List of deaths caused by myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome

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Revision as of 12:11, July 4, 2020 by Notjusttired (talk | contribs) (sources for Merryn)
Sophia suffered from very severe ME, which caused her death

When Sophia Mirza, a young artist, died in 2005 her death was widely reported as the first death from ME/CFS, but Sophia's may not have been the first death certificate stating that the cause of death was ME or chronic fatigue syndrome.[1][2] After Mirza's death, Merryn Crofts died from ME shortly after her 21st birthday.[2]

Name Age at death Died Notes
Brynmor John 54 1988 Collapsed outside the House of Commons gym, after being told to exercise for ME.[2]
Emily Collingridge 30 2012 Died from "respiratory arrest in an individual with clinically diagnosed ME due to the side-effects of prescription drugs and aspiration of gastric contents" during a long hospital admission.[3] Emily became tube fed due to ME, doubly incontinent, suffered extreme pain and transient blindness and epidoses of paralysis.[3] Ill with ME since she was six years old.[3]
Merryn Crofts 21 2017 Merryn's death was due to severe malnutrition after the withdrawal of her nutrition due to ME.[4] Doctors had previously suggested her weight loss was due to anorexia but investigating found intestinal failure and swallowing problems. She had a feeding tube, then an intravenous nutrition line, but it became infected.[5] Merryn was bedbound with extreme sensitivity to light, convulsions, breathing problems and paralysis.[6]
Sophia Mirza 32 2005 Causes of death: 1. Acute renal failure arising from the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome; 2. previous meningitis; high body mass index, dorsal root ganglionitis; and hepatic steatosis.[7][8] Severe infection of her spine was found at autopsy.[9] Severe ME Awareness Day created in memory of her.[citation needed]
No name given ? 2003 Richard Senior that reported his wife died in North Wales, and had CFS recorded on her death certificate. [1]

Publications[edit | edit source]

In 2010, Professor Malcolm Hooper published Magical Medicine: How to Make a Disease Disappear, which described the deaths of Sophia Mirza, Merryn Crofts, Brynmor John MP, who collapsed outside the House of Commons gyms after being told to exercise by his doctor, and many others whose deaths were attributed to ME.[2][10]:15-17

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Senior, Richard (July 26, 2006). "Not, sadly, the first". New Scientist. Comment section. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hooper, Malcolm (February 12, 2020). "Magical Medicine: How to Make a Disease Disappear" (PDF). Contributions from members of the ME community. Researched by Margaret Williams.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "In Remembrance: Emily Rose Collingridge" (PDF). Invest in ME Research. July 2017.
  4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-44969741
  5. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5569091/Woman-dies-aged-21-weighing-just-six-stone-wasting-away-ME.html
  6. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bed-bound-unimaginable-pain-watching-14474293
  7. Mirza, Sophia. "Certified Copy of an Entry - Death Certificate". SophiaAndME.org.uk. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. Hooper, Rowan (June 16, 2006). "First official UK death from chronic fatigue syndrome". New Scientist. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. "Neuropathological Report". www.sophiaandme.org.uk. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  10. Hooper, Malcolm (February 12, 2010). "Press release" (PDF).