OT: CFS and Unrest (2017) out on Netflix

Submitted by LLG on

Two weeks ago, Ace posted about how his health had taken a turn for the worse.  Brian then gave "the go-ahead to set up this fund for the Solve ME/CFS Initiative. I’m hoping we can raise $5,000, in honor of my parents, to support CFS research and push for a cure." 

In five days it raised over $30,000 and it is now at $35,372.

For those interested in learning more about ME/CFS, I thought I'd post information on the movie Unrest (2017), which is now on Netflix.

It is a good way to learn a bit about what Ace and others with CFS are going through.

The documenary received solid reviews (8.3 on IMDb)

Short summary from the film's website: "Jennifer Brea is about to marry the love of her life when she’s struck down by a fever that leaves her bedridden. When doctors tell her 'it’s all in her head,' she turns her camera on herself and her community as she looks for answers and fights for a cure."

Here is a summary from Rotten Tomatoes:

"Journalist Jennifer Brea documents her struggle with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. After spiking a 105 degree fever shortly after being accepted to a PhD program at Harvard, Brea manifested a mysterious cluster of symptoms, including extreme weakness, fatigue, full-body pain and mental confusion. After being dismissed by doctors, she discovered a community of patients similarly struggling with the mysterious disorder after making videos from her bed about her situation and posting them online. The documentary includes interviews with Brea, as well as her Skype interviews with other isolated patients who are similarly bedridden and struggling to make sense of how their lives have permanently changed."

Finally, here is a petition to the National Institutes of Health to allocate more funding to the subject.  According to this fact sheet, we currently spend more money on studying hay fever.

(The film's website has multiple ways to view the movie by the way, which is, again, just a good film and you may find it to be a film worth watching.)

s1105615

January 23rd, 2018 at 6:29 PM ^

You may find it informative, but I doubt anyone who isn’t a sadist that enjoys the suffering of others will enjoy the time spent watching this particular doc.

s1105615

January 23rd, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^

based on your recommendation and I do have a new appreciation for what life with CFS/ME can be like. While I did find the stories of love and support heartening and affirming, it’s certainly not a film I would want to watch again, given how heart wrenching quite a few scenes were. May God be with you and your family as you all deal with this.

maineandblue

January 23rd, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^

Given the subject matter I thought it was quite an engaging film, with plenty of heartwarming/inspirational moments. Not necessarily "enjoyable," but not entirely depressing either. 

I'm a psychologist and have recommended this film to many of my clients who struggle with chronic health conditions, and there are plenty of lessons about gratitude, perspective, perseverence, and riding out difficult times/dealing with lack of control that apply to everyone. 

SanDiegoWolverine

January 24th, 2018 at 1:26 AM ^

Incredibly touching doc. I suffered through chronic fatigue when I came back from South America 12 years ago. 12-16 hours of sleep a day and every time I would exercise I would crash. Couldn't work and every test turned out negative. Finally a friend suggested a tropical medicine specialist in New your city. The doctor told me I had an aggressive amoeba that was ravaging my body. I recovered after several months of treatment and I'm so grateful.

I hope Good things came of your trip Ace. Looking forward to your next update.