Arsenic

Arsenic is the chemical element of atomic number 33 (symbol As), a brittle steel-gray metalloid. It occurs naturally and is widely distributed through the earth's crust. It is highly toxic in its natural form and is present in groundwater in many locations.

Interactions with chronic fatigue syndrome

Researcher Walter Tarello has examined veterinary use of arsenic compounds thiacetarsamide sodium to treat animal illnesses that appear to resemble chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Tarello and his wife, who works with him, are also both diagnosed with CFS and treated themselves with arsenic compound potassium arsenite, reporting remission.

Studies related to ME/CFS

• 2001, Chronic fatigue syndrome in horses: diagnosis and treatment of 4 cases.
• 2001, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in 15 dogs and cats with specific biochemical and microbiological anomalies.
• 2001, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) associated with Staphylococcus spp. bacteremia, responsive to potassium arsenite 0.5% in a veterinary surgeon and his coworking wife, handling with CFS animal cases.
• 2003, Immunological anomalies and thrombocytopenia in 117 dogs and cats diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
• 2006, Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome associated with Staphylococcus spp. bacteraemia responsive to thiacetarsamide sodium in eight birds of prey.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) - Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is another term for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but one which emphasizes the immunological aspects of the disease. Popular in the 1990s, this term has apparently fallen into disuse.