Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most discouraging things that can happen to you. You feel lousy all the time, and nobody can find out what is wrong with you. Sometimes health care professionals treat you like a crazy lady, and after a while you begin to wonder if they are right.

CFS really does exist. And you are not crazy. There’s a lot we don’t understand about this mysterious illness, but at least a million Americans have it. That is, about a million Americans meet the strict “research diagnostic criteria” for CFS. Another ten million or more have severe fatigue, but do not have all the accompanying symptoms. Women are four times more likely to have CFS than men are, and it most often begins in their 40’s or 50’s.

SYMPTOMS

People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are tired. They experience extreme fatigue, and it doesn’t get better with sleep. Stress or activity can make it worse. These people are unable to function at the same level of activity they are used to. There is no diagnostic test for CFS.

The “diagnostic criteria” for CFS are:

• Severe chronic fatigue for at least six months

• PLUS four or more of the following symptoms

o Poor short term memory

o Trouble concentrating

o Sore throat

o Tender lymph nodes

o Muscle pain

o Pain in more than one joint without redness or swelling

o Headaches

o Unrefreshing sleep

o Post-exertional fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours

• The accompanying symptoms must have persisted or recurred during at least six consecutive months, and started after the fatigue began

• There is no other discoverable cause for the fatigue

CAUSE

The cause of CFS is unknown. Some possibilities include immune system disorders, endocrine disorders, nervous system disorders, genetic factors, environmental factors, viral infections and others. One thing that has been established is that CFS is NOT caused by depression, although many CFS sufferers do become depressed.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

There is no definitive treatment for CFS, and what helps one person may not help another. For the most part, physicians treat the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications are given for pain. Antidepressants are used to treat depression if it is present. Antidepressants may also help with pain. Sometimes stimulants, such as modafinil (Provigil) provide some relief from the fatigue.

Physical therapy may be very helpful in dealing with pain and in determining a tolerable exercise regimen.

For the most part, treating CFS involves lifestyle changes to manage the fatigue. Techniques that help some people include:

• Keeping a diary to find out what times of day your energy normally peaks, so that you can schedule activities during those times. This also helps identify things that help or that worsen the fatigue.

• Massage therapy.

• Acupuncture.

• Chiropractic treatments.

• Therapeutic touch.

• Herbal treatments, such as ginko biloba.

• Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, such as fish oil or flax seed oil.

• Establishing a predictable daily routine.

• Pacing yourself.

• Avoiding stress.

• Getting some exercise every day.

• Expressing emotions, including the normal grief over the loss of energy and lifestyle, and depression.

• Getting good support. Sometimes a support group of other CFS sufferers helps.

• Stretching once or twice a day.

It may take some experimentation to discover what works for you. You will have to take charge of your own health if you have CFS; there is not much your doctor can do to help you. There is, however, a lot you can do to help yourself. You will have limitations, and you will have to learn to adapt to and live with those limitations, but having CFS isn’t a hopeless situation. You can still enjoy life and loving relationships while living within your limitations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Penny Watkins is a freelance writer working for [http://pillspills.net]. She worked for over twenty years as a registered nurse, specializing in cardiovascular nursing.