Ability Scale
Posted on 2003-01-27
Occasionally in my diary I talk about an ability scale or different percentages, and I have only just realised that I don't actually explain anywhere what I mean by these two terms.
Basically patients with ME/CFS measure how good or bad their ME/CFS is according to the following scale (which is also a good way of measuring your progress too). Below is the actual scale - and currently I am around the 30% mark. I hope this helps you understand a little more about me and my illness, however if you'd like to know more you can contact The ME Association or AYME
Fully Recovered
+ 100% = No symptoms even following physical or mental activity. Able to study and work full time without difficulty, plus enjoy a social life.
Virtually Recovered
+ 95% = No symptoms at rest. Mild symptoms following physical or mental activity - tire rather easily but fully recovered next day. Able to study or work full time without difficulty but a slight restriction on social life.
Mildly Affected
+ 90% = No symptoms at rest. Mild symptoms following physical or mental activity - tire easily. Study/work full time with some difficulty. Social life rather restricted with gradual recovery over 2/3 days.
+ 80% = Mild symptoms at rest, worsened to moderate by physical or mental activity. Full time study at school or college difficult, especially if it is a crowded, noisy environment. Home tuition or part-time study without difficulty. Full time work in a busy environment is difficult, with little social life possible.
+ 70% = Mild symptoms at rest, worsened to severe by physical or mental activity. Daily activity limited. Part time study at school/college is very tiring, and may be restricting social life. Part time work may be possible for a few hours in the day. With careful pacing out of activities and rest periods, one may discover windows of time during the day when one feels significantly better. Gentle walking or swimming can be beneficial.
Moderately Affected
+ 60% = Mild to moderate symptoms at rest. Increasing symptoms following physical or mental activity. Daily activity very limited. Study with others or work outside the home very difficult unless additional support is available, e.g. use of a wheelchair/quiet room for a rest period. Short (I-2 hours) daily home study/work may be possible on good days. Quiet, non-active social life possible.
+ 50% = Moderate symptoms at rest. Increasing symptoms following physical or mental activity. Mid-day rest may still be needed. Simple, short (1hr) home study/home activity possible when alternated with quiet, non-active social life. Concentration is limited. Not confined to the house but may be unable to walk without support, much beyond 100/200m. May manage a trip to the shops in the wheelchair.
+ 40% = Moderate to severe symptoms following any activity. Care must be taken not to over-do one�s life style at this stage. Not con�fined to the house but unable to walk much more than 50/I00m, usually requiring aids such as walking stick/crutches. May manage a wheelchair trip to the shops on a quiet day. Requires 3 or 4 regular rest periods during the day. Only one �large� activity possible per day - friend dropping by or doctor's visit or short home study (half hour at a time) etc � with space usually requiring rest day/s between.
Severely Affected
+ 30% = Moderate to severe symptoms at rest. Severe symptoms following any physical or mental activity. Usually confined to the house but may occasionally take a quiet wheelchair ride or very short, gentle walk in the fresh air. Most of the day resting. Very small tasks possible but mental concentration poor and home study very difficult indeed.
+ 20% = Fairly severe symptoms at rest. Weakness in hands, arms or legs may be restricting movement. Unable to leave the house except very rarely. Confined to bed/settee most of the day but able to sit in a chair for a few, short periods. Unable to concentrate for more than one hour a day but can read for about 5-10 minutes at a time.
Very Severely Affected
+ 10% = Severe symptoms following any activity. Weakness and pain in arms or legs. In bed the majority of the time but feeling more stable and less dizzy. No travel outside the house. Concentration very difficult indeed. A friend can be seen for ten minutes or so.
+ 5% = Severe symptoms almost continuously but may be possible to be propped up in bed for very short periods. Weakness and pain in arms or legs can give rise to paralysis; dizziness and nausea. Small, personal care may be possible (e.g. if washing equipment placed on the bed it may be possible to wash some parts of the body. As with 0%, sudden jerking movements can be a problem and what may be described as panic attacks are felt. No TV is possible but a little quiet music or audio book may be listened to for a few minutes. A friend can be seen for a minute for a hug and few words.
+ 0% = Severe symptoms on a continuous basis. In bed constantly, feeling extremely ill even with permanent rest. Severe dizziness makes it almost impossible to be propped up in bed for longer than a few minutes at a time. Light and noise are very painful indeed to the eyes and ears � curtains are closed and ear plugs are needed. Severe pain almost anywhere in the body with the skin feeling very cold and extremely sensitive to touch. Unable to care for oneself at all; washing needs to be done a tiny bit at times throughout the day. Nausea and severe fatigue make eating extremely difficult. Liquid based food preferred � little and often. Occasionally, nasal feeding tubes are required when the energy to chew is completely spent. Any stimulus worsens the feeling of being severely ill, with no movement in the bedroom preferred. Visitors to the room is almost impossible. Talking, even to the carer/family, is often impossible. This is often misread as being �selective mute�. Severe adrenaline rushes felt with heightened sensitivity; jumping and over reacting to doors shutting/door bell ringing, etc. Sleep pattern often completely reversed.