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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Local woman spreads message of chronic fatigue

By Frank Stanley
Enterprise reporter

Jan Ranier woke up in her New York home one day in June with what she thought was a simple flu.

She shrugged it off, went to work and took the usual steps to taking care of herself.

Now, 21 years later, the results of that "flu" are still affecting her.

"I was just very, very tired," she said. "I got myself to work on Monday and it didn't get any better. By Wednesday, I couldn't go; it was the flu that wouldn't leave."

Ranier, who went through months of testing and blood work, found the culprit of her pain as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a debilitating disorder of which the cause is still unknown. She hopes to share her story so people will have a better understanding of how debilitating CFS can be.

After trying to cope with the disease for six months, Ranier was forced to resign from her position as a department head in city government. She had developed and was running a statewide anti-drunk driving program in New York prior to her resignation. She has since moved to Edmonds.

"Prior to CFS, I was an active mother of three, a head of county government and an athlete," she said. "As the years went on, it took its toll on the entire relationship."

According to an international study group, CFS has eight primary signs and symptoms, including loss of memory or concentration, sore throat, painful and/or enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained muscle soreness, joint pain, headaches, sleep disturbance and extreme – lasting for more than 24 hours – exhaustion.

A person meets the diagnostic criteria when at least four of those primary signs, paired with persistent fatigue, last for six months or more.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), research indicates that more than one million Americans have CFS, yet less than 20 percent have been diagnosed.

People diagnosed with CFS also react in different ways. "My pattern seems to be, I feel the best in the morning, and worst in the afternoon," Ranier said. "I can usually get back up in the evening for a meal."

Ranier's roommate of seven years, Birgette Antonsen, has witnessed the struggles of what she goes through.

"At one point, it's like absolutely around one o'clock, there's nothing in her," she said. "Its so weird that you can see in her eyes that there's nothing there. It's been interesting to observe."

The treatment for CFS is also variable. As the cause is still unknown, treatment can range from gradually increasing or reducing physical activity, physical therapy, cognitive therapy or medication to treat existing pain. Ranier is on nutritional supplements and medication for thyroid inflammation.

"If I overdo it, I could take a walk and be just fine, but then I could have a relapse and be out for three days," she said.

As for other ways to cope with CFS, Ranier has taken her time to count her blessings.

"I was bedridden at one point, and I had to redefine my life," she said. "What kind of life was I going to have and how do I make it worth living? I looked inward and found meaning from other places."

She began listening to music and reading, though she would occasionally have trouble comprehending the words she read.

"If I took a shower on any given day, that would be all the energy I had; I don't do a lot anymore," she said. "But looking inward, I've really begun to build my spiritual connection."

During this time, the CDC and the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America started a National CFS Public Awareness Campaign to tour the nation. The program, a traveling photo exhibit as part of a national health education initiative, arrived in Tacoma this past week.

For more information, see www.cfids.org/cfs.