Jonathan Ross says his daughter’s fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is “getting slowly better” as he opened up about her diagnosis. The ITV chat show host, 62, added that Betty still “cannot walk far” after being diagnosed with FMS, a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Ross said Betty also has chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a long-term condition that causes extreme tiredness and problems sleeping and thinking and postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing. Ross said doctors thought his daughter’s illnesses may have been caused by Covid as they are immune system conditions but there is “no consensus” on treating her yet, reports the Liverpool Echo.
He also told Loose Women that she is now using an electric wheelchair since the summer to be mobile while going long distances Ross credits the Perrin Technique which treats CFS and FMS through osteopathic techniques and manual lymphatic drainage for improving Betty’s health.
He added it has been difficult for her being “stuck indoors” and “not being able to join in with things”. He said: “So if we’re going out we have to give her plenty of time to get ready, get downstairs and then have a rest before we go to the next step, you know.”
“It does have an impact but the good news is, she’s definitely showing improvement and feeling better in herself. So we’re relieved and we’re happy with that.”
What is FMS?
According to the NHS website fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by things that are physical or emotional like an injury, an infection or stress.
Although there's currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with. Lifestyle changes, therapies and medicine can all help to ease the symptoms.
FMS symptoms
As well as widespread pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue)
- problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
- feelings of frustration, worry or low mood
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are changeable – for example, they can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse. You should see a GP if you think you have fibromyalgia.
What is CFS?
According to the NHS, myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. ME/CFS can affect anyone, including children. It's more common in women, and tends to develop between your mid-20s and mid-40s.
The severity of symptoms can vary from day to day, or even within a day. The symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to the symptoms of some other illnesses, so it's important to see a GP to get a correct diagnosis. There is not a specific test for ME/CFS, so it's diagnosed based on your symptoms and by ruling out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
The GP will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may also have blood and urine tests. As the symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of many common illnesses that usually get better on their own, a diagnosis of ME/CFS may be considered if you do not get better as quickly as expected.
CFS symptoms
- feeling extremely tired all the time – you may find it very hard to do daily activities
- still feeling tired after resting or sleeping
- taking a long time to recover after physical activity
- problems sleeping, such as waking up often during the night
- problems with thinking, memory and concentration
Some people with ME/CFS may also have other symptoms, including:
- muscle or joint pain
- headaches
- a sore throat
- flu-like symptoms
- feeling dizzy or sick
- fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)
