Everyone with chronic fatigue syndrome knows that everyone else thinks they have it too, because they get tired a lot. It's true that a lot of people are regularly or constantly tired. Have you wondered if your fatigue is actually chronic fatigue syndrome?
It's scary to think about having a chronic illness. Before you get carried away and start scaring yourself by looking at symptom lists and reading horror stories about destroyed lives, take a few minutes to realistically assess whether what you're experiencing fits the description of chronic fatigue syndrome.
First, you need to know that this illness isn't just about being tired, in spite of what the name suggests. Second, it takes a lot to come up with a solid diagnosis, so no web site can give you a definitive answer. However, there are signs to watch for that can help you decide whether chronic fatigue syndrome is a possibility. Read:
Does the description seem to fit? Have you decided you don't have chronic fatigue syndrome? What symptoms make you think you do or don't have it? Leave your comments below!
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I think I would totally agree with the following statement : “If you have post-exertional malaise, you’ve got CFS. No other disease acts like that.”
I don’t know whether renaming “Post-Exertional Malaise” to “Post-Exertional Neuroimmune Exhaustion” is something we should be completely happy with, because I think that in CFS/ME you have two things going on. Firstly, “Post-Exertional Neuroimmune Exhaustion”, and secondly, “Post-Exertional Neuroimmune Malaise”. Experiencing malaise is still something else (read: worse) than exhaustion. But it is quite possible that putting exhaustion and malaise under the microscope (at the cellular level) may result in pictures that are quite similar to each other. Perhaps these pictures may only differ in degree.
Also read this :
“Renamed Post-Exertional Malaise to Post-Exertional Neuroimmune Exhaustion” (from : …wiki/index … International_Consensus_Criteria_(ICC))
I was surprised you use CDC criteria to answer the question ‘Do I have ME/CFS?” rather than the recent international consensus criteria, which is more specific and up to date.
From Your Guide: I agree that the international consensus criteria are much better. However, I wanted to describe the typical patient experience which, unfortunately, means CDC criteria. ~Adrienne
The Canadian Expert Consensus Panel definition is clearly a vast improvement over the CDC’s 1994 case definition for CFS, which led to misunderstanding in both research and treatment modalities by making “fatigue” a compulsory symptom but by downplaying or making optional the disease’s hallmark of post-exertional sickness and other cardinal ME/CFS symptoms.
1) Post-Exertional Malaise and Fatigue
2) Sleep Disorder
3) Pain
4) Neurological/Cognitive Manifestations
5) At least One Symptom of the Following Two Categories:
a) Autonomic Manifestations
b) Neuroendocrine Manifestations
c) Immune Manifestations
6) The illness persists for at least 6 months.
http://www.cfids-cab.org/MESA/ccpc.html
Anyone tried Low Dose Naltrexone or Low Dose Dextromethorphan for Fibro or CFS? there are a number of studies noting usefulness of LDN–the dextromethorphan has not been studied as much. either is taken at 4.5 mgm dosages every night. I use Triaminic Chidren’s long acting cough syrup since I have been unable to fine an MD willing to order LDN (I know there is a compounding pharmacy in florida where one can obtain theLDN.
I had an acitve Epstein Barr Virus that left me with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms. For two years I suffered with the symptoms and I could not exercise. The fatigue I suffered with was debilitating and I had to learn to nap. I could not get out of bed some mornings. This was more than just being tired a lot. I have recovered and looking back, there is no question when you have this illness and it is such a frustrating experience because everyone around you thinks it is “in you head”.
When I go to the Dr. I say I have FMS and CFS. But I’m not sure that they are the same thing. I hear that FMS is FMS with fatigue. And, CFS is CFS with pain.
I don’t know which one I have or both, but the way I describe the fatigue is that I have been unplugged.
I like the description, malaise. This can last for days and days to the point of madness. When I was first diagnosed I was depressed over the chronic nature of this condition. I have learned to live with it over the years, even go with it because I know there is no way to fight it. These malaise periods are when I write, I read, I plan. Yes, I know there are many more symptoms, none of them good, sleep problems being one. I take sleeping pills. I have taken them for twelve years. I don’t talk about it. People would be appalled, people who don’t understand CFS or FMS, but I am able to sleep.