Preprint Connecting the Dots Between ME/CFS, HSD/hEDS, Abnormal Fascia, Lymphatic and Glymphatic System Impairment, and Craniocervical Instability, 2025, Lubel

[forestglip]

Connecting the Dots Between ME/CFS, HSD/hEDS, Abnormal Fascia, Lymphatic and Glymphatic System Impairment, and Craniocervical Instability

Lubell, Jeffrey

Abstract
This hypothesis paper encourages a comprehensive approach to studying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) that connects the dots between Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), fascial abnormalities, impaired lymphatic and glymphatic systems, spinal conditions like craniocervical instability and Chiari Malformation, and ME/CFS.

Web | PDF | DOI | Preprint: Preprints.org

 

[Mij]

Reposted by Jeffrey Lubell

"The Mechanical Basis model. I proposed it in 2018".

This refers to the recently published hypothesis paper by Jeff Wood et al. Hypothesis: A Mechanical Basis: Brainstem Dysfunction as a Potential Etiology of ME/CFS and Long COVID, 2025, Jeff Wood, Kaufman et al.
A post with a tweet by Wood about his hypothesis has been moved to that thread.

 

[Trish]

The hypothesis is written by an independent researcher mainly writing about his daughter's experience, and building hypotheses on hypotheses and maybes with very little if any solid evidence of any of it as far as I can see.

I sympathise with the wish to help a sick daughter, and wish them well.

 

[Binkie4]

"Connecting the Dots Between ME/CFS, HSD/hEDS, Abnormal Fascia, Lymphatic and Glymphatic System Impairment, and Craniocervical Instability". Lubell Jeffrey

Discussion above has jumped straight to Craniocervical instability very fast ( not read) but I am more interested in the other conditions listed since I have solid diagnoses for all except glymphatic system problems.

I didn't know what the glymphatic system is but found this article which I will need to look at.

The Glymphatic System – A Beginner's Guide - PMC

The glymphatic system is a recently discovered macroscopic waste clearance system that utilizes a unique system of perivascular channels, formed by astroglial cells, to promote efficient elimination of soluble proteins and metabolites from the ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Abstract​

The glymphatic system is a recently discovered macroscopic waste clearance system that utilizes a unique system of perivascular channels, formed by astroglial cells, to promote efficient elimination of soluble proteins and metabolites from the central nervous system. Besides waste elimination, the glymphatic system may also function to help distribute non-waste compounds, such as glucose, lipids, amino acids, and neurotransmitters related to volume transmission, in the brain. Intriguingly, the glymphatic system function mainly during sleep and is largely disengaged during wakefulness. The biological need for sleep across all species may therefore reflect that the brain must enter a state of activity that enables elimination of potentially neurotoxic waste products, including β-amyloid. Since the concept of the glymphatic system is relatively new, we will here review its basic structural elements, organization, regulation, and functions. We will also discuss recent studies indicating that glymphatic function is suppressed in various diseases and that failure of glymphatic function in turn might contribute to pathology in neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and stroke.



My sleep is appalling.




I have begun to speculate whether I have some sort of Occam's issue going on. I can't contribute much more without doing a lot of reading but brainfog will make that slow. Would be interested in whether others have these multiple diagnoses. I also have lipoedema as well as lymphadema. I don't have craniocervical issues. I know St George's were doing research a couple of years ago to see if they could find a link between HEDS and lipoedema but haven't read any results.

 

[Trish]

There are several threads about research and hypotheses about the glymphatic system and ME/CFS.
This recent one specifically refers to ME/CFS.
Hypothesis Glymphatic System Dysregulation as a Key Contributor to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2025, Nemat-Gorgani et al

 

[Binkie4]

Thanks @Trish. More reading.

Author Nemat - Gorgani sounds familiar. OMF??


edit: https://www.omf.ngo/mohsen-nemat-gorgani/ ( Nemat - Gorgani was leading the work on red blood cells. )

 

[Sean]

The number of hypotheses, and the degree and intensity of debate, about any issue are inverse indexes of how much knowledge and understanding we actually have.

In medicine specifically, I would also add the frequency that it is labelled complex and multi-factorial, best explained by a biopsychosocial perspective, and needing holistic rehabilitative management by multi-disciplinary teams.

(I am old enough to remember when the word 'holistic' was regarded as hippie new-age woo by mainstream medicine. Now it is one of their favourite buzzwords.)