10 January 2008
For once it is the
doctor and not her patients feeling overwhelmed. That was the reaction Dr
Rosamund Vallings, who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of
Merit (MNZM) for services to people with chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS).
'It has been a little overwhelming,' the Clevedon resident told
the Times between patients at her Ridge Rd practice. She is New Zealand's
leading specialist on chronic fatigue syndrome; an interest peaked back in
the early 1960s while working in her native-England.
'I was working in
a hospital in London and we saw it quite a bit among the staff at another
nearby hospital - who became chronically ill. 'It became known as Royal Free
disease, in reference to the hospital where these people were
working.'
In 1966 came to New Zealand and set up her general practice in
Bucklands Beach before setting up in Howick several years later. In 1973 she
was a co-researcher into the condition also known as Myalgic Encephalopathy
(ME) at the Department of Rheumatology at the University of
Auckland.
'During and after the research I kept in touch with some of the
participants as their doctor. I also established an education and support
group where people could go to learn more about their condition and how to
manage it.'
CFS, ME or Tapanui Flu - are all common names for the
condition and Dr Vallings says it is a lot more common that people
think.
'It's thankfully a lot more recognised today too, among the
general public, but more importantly among the medical community.'
Dr
Vallings can take a fair share of the credit for that greater recognition, as
she travels extensively attending conferences, giving lectures, participating
in research, and producing comprehensive information for patients and
doctors.
'I recently had an article published in NZ Doctor and write and
maintain the management guidelines for doctors.'
She has published and
presented papers at many international conferences and was elected to the
editorial board of the US Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2001. Dr
Vallings says CFS is a real medical condition that can strike at the most
healthiest of people.
'You often find very busy people or very sporty
people who have had a virus of some sort and then not had time to recover
properly can be susceptible the condition. We're not talking about being a
little tired. This condition, as the name suggests, is chronic and can be
life altering to those with it
and ongoing for years.'
As the only GP
few specialising in the area, she is in constant demand with patients from
throughout New Zealand and even some overseas. She has been medical advisor
to the Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalopathy Society (ANZMES) since
1980 and was president for seven years.
In hearing of the honour,
Whatakane ME sufferer Steve Napier said: 'Dr Valling's very sound and
practical advice allow me to continue working through my illness. Without
her help I would have had to close my business down.'
(c)
2008 New Zealand Times