Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 15

3n5tana (gazette Wednesday, September 19, 1990 Page 15 Doctors search for 'chronic fatigue'answers By ROBERT BYRD Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) The symptoms sound like the flu except they don't get better. The name sounds like something a truck driver would get: chronic fatigue syndrome. It has been two years since what some cynically dubbed "the yuppie flu" was recognized as a real disease with a real name. Today, researchers still don't know who has it, what to do about it, or what causes it although most how believe it unlikely that Epstein-Barr virus is responsible, as some studies once suggested. "I don't think we're very far along with understanding the cause of the syndrome," said Paul Cheney, a Charlotte, N.C., physician who helped pioneer treatment of syndrome sufferers in the mid-1980s.

Today, the federal government is midway through an effort to determine the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers are zeroing in on possible factors including immune disorders and viral infections that may lead to treatment. A study released Sept. 4 said evidence of a type of virus known as a retrovirus was found in the blood of 23 of 30 victims of the syndrome. Card shower marks 70th anniversary of Libengoods BLAIRSVILLE Mr.

and 1 Mrs. Earl Libengood, Blairsville, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Sept. 28. Earl Libengood and Beatrice Viola Yeager were united in mar- -riage on Sept. 28, 1920, by the Rev.

Lawrence in the Methodist parsonage, Indiana. Charles Libengood, father of the groom, and Ella Melinda Yeager, mother of the bride, attended the couple. Mr. Libengood is a retired carpenter who built homes in the Blairsville area for approximately 50 years. They have nine children: Mrs.

Virginia Beggs, Orlando, Lawrence Blairsville; Mrs. Esther Wright, Blairsville; Mrs. Joseph (Dorothy) Blazek, Charlotte, N.C.; Mrs. Thomas (Betty) Crosby, Keystone Heights, Lloyd, Blairsville; Mrs. Harold (Mary) Christian, Charlotte, N.C.; Mrs.

Shirley Ashcraft, Cas' tleberry, and James, Blairsville. Twenty-nine grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren complete the family circle. A family celebration was held Sept. 16. Friends and neighbors are invited to participate in a card shower for the couple this week.

Their address is RD 4, Box 144C, Blairsville, Pa. 15717. MR. and MRS. EARL LIBENGOOD "It's very interesting and it definitely needs to be followed up," said Ann Schluederberg, chief of the virology branch of the National Institutes of Health.

She said a more direct cause-and-effect must be established. There are tens of thousands of Americans maybe more who believe they have chronic fatigue syndrome. Some of them almost certainly do not; the symptoms can mirror those of psychological illnesses such as depression. But some of them do have it. "It definitely exists," said Dr.

Walter Gunn of the Centers for Disease Control. "We are finding people who meet the case definition." Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by the debilitating, long- lasting fatigue that gives it its name. The fatigue is coupled with a group of related symptoms, including headache, sore throat, fever, weakness and muscle and joint pains. Patients also can suffer from memory loss and difficulty concentrating. And it has to be more than a two-week bout with the flu.

By definition, chronic fatigue syndrome lasts at least six months, often for years. Some patients may eventually shake it; others don't. Most patients seeking medical help are white females 30 to 50, the CDC says. It isn't thought contagious, although in some patients it follows an influenza-like illness or a viral infection. A number of viruses are being looked at, although research is going away from the theory that Epstein- Barr virus is responsible.

(Epstein- Barr infection is "almost inevitable," hitting 80 percent or more of American adults, according to the CDC, and at least two studies have found that CFS sufferers are no more likely to have had Epstein- Barr.) Chronic fatigue syndrome also may be associated with immune system defects or pre-existing psychological conditions, the CDC says. "The list of symptoms is so great, when a doctor looks at this, they think there's no way one patient can 'have all of this," said Sherry Stockton, who has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and heads the Atlanta CFS Association, a support group. Ms. Stockton chronicles a decade and a half of "weird health problems," beginning in 1975, when she developed bladder paralysis after a bout with what she assumed was flu. abdominal pain headaches you can hardly describe cognitive difficulties.

I get lost driving. I can't remember people that I've known for years. "I started getting very ill. And now I'm sick every day. Every single day." Marti Goolsby of Knoxville, has watched her 17-year-old daughter struggle with the disease for almost a year.

Dana was making good grades, acting in school theater and holding down a part-time job until she came down with what seemed to be the flu and never shook it, "It's been a struggle for her to get through the day, to keep up with her schoolwork," Mrs. Goolsby said. "Last Christmas Day, she crawled up like she was 2 years old and just went to sleep." Dana was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome a month later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Many sufferers assumed they were losing their minds. Ms.

Stockton even underwent testing to see if she had clinical depression, rather than "real organic disease." Tests confirmed damage to the left half of her brain. "There's a problem. There's not one specific test we can do and say yes, this patient has CFS," said Dr. David R. Strayer, a professor and specialist in chronic fatigue syndrome at Philadelphia's Hahnemann University.

Thus, no one is sure how many people might have the illness. "Every time there's some publicity, we find patients by the thousands," said Janet Bohannon of the National CFS Association in Kansas City, Kan. The association's mailing list includes more than 20,000 potential sufferers. "My guesstimate, due to the influx of calls and patient inquiries, is that this is not rare at all," Ms. Bohannon Golfwear records billion-dollar sales By MARY NIEPOLD NEA Fashion Writer For a sport that focuses its attention on such a small, dimply object, fplf has an amazingly large slice of merica's imagination and pocketbook.

In the last five years, this sport, once the exclusive realm of the aristocrats and royalty, has lured tnillions and millions of new players. In 1988, there were 23.4 million golfers in the United States, up more than 3 million in just two years. This year alone, an estimated $20 billion-plus will be spent on golf-related purchases. Of that, golf apparel will account for almost $1 billion. According to the National Golf Foundation, a non-profit market research organization in Palm Beach, golf apparel sales were $726 BLAIRSVILLE Michael and Jacqueline Sabella, Blairsville, announce the birth of their daughter, Paige Marie, on Sept.

5, 1990, in Indiana Hospital. "l' Paige weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth and measured inches. I'-Shc is the granddaughter of Mrs. Betty Yelenic, Blairsville, and the great-granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Darvey Vallana, New Derry, -and Mrs. James Sabella, Barnesboro. Paige was welcomed home by her brother. Zachary. CLYMER BreeAnne Baker announces the birth of her brother, Craig Christopher, at 8:18 p.m.

Sept. 8,1990. in the Indiana Hospital. Craig weighed 8 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 20 2 inches at birth. 1 BreeAnne and Craig are the children of Chris and Bev Baker, Cly- merRD 1.

His grandparents are Ken and Myrna Craig, Marion Center RD 1, and Ed and Nancy Baker, Marion Center RD 1. Great-grandparents include Ruth Keith. Commodore RD 1, and Clyde and Anna Baker, Clymer RD 1. His great-great-grandmother is Daisy Armstrong, Indiana. COMMODORE Vaughn and Kimberly Goodlin, Commodore RD 1, announce the birth of their second child.

Lindsey Danielle, on Aug. 24, 1990. Born in Indiana Hospital, Lindsey weighed 7 pounds and measured 19 inches. She was welcomed home by her sister, Alysha Noelle. Lindsey's grandparents are Mr.

and Mrs. James Tomayko, Dixonville. and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Goodlin, Commodore RD 1.

Great-grandparents include Mrs. Mary Tomayko, Mrs. Edith Goodlin and Frank Miller. SHELOCTA Frank and Shirley Bills, Shelocta, announce the birth of a daughter at 3:13 p.m. Sept.

13. 1990. in Indiana Hospital. Tabitha Ann weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 3 4 inches at birth. She was welcomed home by her brother.

Christopher. Tabitha's grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Amos Ferrier, Shelocta, and Mrs. Nancy Bills.

Saltsburg. Great-grandparents include Eugene Johnston. and Mrs. Lila Meckley, Commodore. NEW FLORENCE Rob and Cindy Wallace, New Florence RD 2, announce the birth of their first child, a daughter.

Born on Aug. 23, 1990, Chelsea Jean weighed 8 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20'A inches. Chelsea's grandparents are Sam and Naomi Jean Wallace, New Florence; Shirley Smith, Seward; and Thomas Smith, Johnstown. Her great-grandparents are Susan Schofield, Johnstown; and Tom and Doris Smith, Johnstown. million in 1988, almost double the sales of 1987.

Trish Leary, NGF's information services manager, says "in the last four years, women have made up, on average, 40 percent of the new golfers each year." Mark Stewart is senior edit6r at Heather Pine, which is developing a new, upscale golf publication for 1991. He says: "The bottom line is really that golf has been embraced by young upwardly mobile professionals. It has its own protocol, its own fashion, its own language and its own lifestyle. "And an entirely new generation has discovered golfs effectiveness as a business tool, both on the course and in the clubhouse. All the ingredients are there and have been for years and years it was only a matter of time before the game truly blossomed." While still chiefly the domain of men (in 1988, almost 78 percent of the players were male), golf is booming from coast to coast.

This rapid growth is new. And what players wear on the links is definitely newer than plain-front beige polyester slacks and drip-dry cardigan sweaters. Once Ralph Lauren comes into Indiana Art Association Members are encouraged to come to draw and paint in Studio 635, 635 Water Indiana, between 1 and 4 p.m. Thursday afternoons through Oct. 15.

(The studio will be closed Oct. 4 for the watercolor workshop. Bring your own materials. Thursday evening sessions have been cancelled until further notice. Naughty Pine Square Dancers Anyone who enjoys having fun while learning modern western square dancing is invited to dance at 8 p.m.

Thursday. Sept. 20. at Ben Franklin Elementary School. Indiana.

No charge. Chestnut Ridge Women Golfers Will meet for important meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Grandmothers' event will follow at 10.

Please sign up for Sadie Hawkins Sunday, Sept. 23. Electa Rebekah 537 Will hold bake sale at Dale Miller's Store. Marion Center, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Sept. 22. McCrory Picnic For former and present employees will be held from p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Fox and Coon Club, Ramsey Run Road, east of Indiana.

Bring casserole, table service and corn party prize. Call 465-5261 or 465-6148 for more information. Vegetable Soup Sale Will be held Thursday. Sept. 27.

by the Ideal-Friendship Class of Homer City United Methodist Church. Bring your own jars to the church early. To order, call Theda Ginter at 479-8606 or Evelyn Sinclair at 479-2744. Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group Has recently reorganized from a support group with regular monthly meetings to a telephone support group for families of children with Attention Deficit Disorder, with or without hyperactivity. Telephone inquiries by concerned parents, grandparents and others associated with these children are welcome.

Call 349-3539. 349-8493. 3979-9000 or 354-2276. any fashion market, you can count on the rest of the country to run down fairways, if need be. in hot pursuit.

"Ralph Lauren saw on opportunity to bring his vision to golfwear and to offer functional clothes with superior quality and style," a spokesperson for Lauren explained. "With so many people playing golf, he felt the lime was right." Last November, Lauren opened a corner of his New York City Madison Avenue store to golf apparel. Right there on the first floor some 250 square feet of prime retail space went to what is still referred to as "The Golf Shop." Within months, women's clothing unmistakably golf inspired was in stores all over America. Lauren's golf styles for men and women elegant knickers, bermudas. vests, tasseled loafers, windbreakers.

cashmere sweaters are even more prolific for fall. Consequently, elegance, true fashion styling and higher prices along with it, are fast becoming part the par of golfwear. More and more manufacturers are now blending active sports details (i.e., fuller armholes, breathable fabrics) with after-game styling (i.e.. lush colorations, pleating). According to Ellen Broderick, special projects editor of Golf Shop Operations, a trade magazine, the "golf uniform" of stiff-collared striped shirts, Orion sweaters and polyester self-belt slacks peaked in 1958.

"At that time," she says, "the golf uniform had reached its apex." But the latter half of the '80s saw the growing participation of younger and fashionable men and women who created a demand for both functional and stylish golf apparel. Half of today's golfers are under the age of 50. Baby boomers, all, their attitudes towards golf fashions aren't unlike their attitudes to most other things in their life: If it's boring or safe, it's not interesting. NEA said. "Some people have said between 1 and 3 percent of the population, and that's probably correct." "We really don't have a hard number," Strayer said.

"Based on the activity of the support groups, it seems to be quite prevalent, although we don't know whether it's on the increase, or whether our awareness is on the increase." Some researchers believe the road to attacking chronic fatigue syndrome may start at patients' immune dysfunctions. "It's a variety of immunologic disturbances best characterized -as an immune system up-regulation," Cheney said, explaining that the effect is the opposite of the immune breakdown suffered by, for instance, AIDS patients. In some chronic fatigue syndrome cases, the immune system appears over-active, but the body develops deficiencies in its natural killer cells. "The immune system is very much turned on against a threat, either real or perceived," he said. "The immune system is an important key," said Strayer, who is; involved with efforts to treat pa- tients with the anti-viral immune! stimulant Ampligen.

The drug has; been administered to female chronic; fatigue syndrome patients in New' Mexico under a "compassionate: use" exemption from the Food and; Drug Administration, and research- ers have reported encouraging re-i suits in some patients, but not all. The Centers for Disease Control; launched a four-city surveillance- project last September "to deter- mine the prevalence and intensity of; this Gunn said. At least 250- cases have been turned up in four locations. 1 The CDC also hopes to launch case-control study in Atlanta later this year, putting patients through! extensive testing and Researchers are hoping to learn- behavior patterns, occupational haz-J. ards or other factors that could; trigger chronic fatigue syndrome.

"What helps a lot of the and certainly helps us doctors, is the! idea that we're making progress on; the research front," Cheney said. In the meantime, thousands of! people with chronic fatigue syn-; drome carry on as best they can. "People call it 'yuppie said Ms. Stockton. "Even 'chronic: fatigue syndrome' I hate it.

It; sounds like: 'She's tired. She's tired' of "What they don't realize is the: extent of the pain involved in all of this. There is a lot of anger and bitterness in a lot of us." ETE PHYSICIAN Ophthalmology W. SIMPSON, M.D. All A Acnpfnl N.

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