Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Because the condition is not well understood, no specific treatment exists for chronic fagitue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). Doctors can, however, treat and help manage patients’ symptoms by using a combination of treatments tailored to each individual. Here’s a look at the treatment plan recommended by the Mayo Clinic:
- Limiting daily activity and exercise. Taking steps to avoid too much physical and psychological stress can help lessen symptoms. However, too little activity can make problems worse by making you weaker. Doctors recommend maintaining a moderate level of activity and slowly increasing it to build up stamina.
- Cognitive behavior therapy. Working with a mental health professional, you can identify negative behaviors and thought patterns that could be holding back your recovery. Once you identify them, you can work to replace the problematic elements with positive ones.
Note: This recommendation is controversial and many ME/CFS researchers disagree with CBT as a treatment option. - Pain treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce pain. They include acetaminophen, found in Tylenol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Your doctor may also recommend common prescription medications for specific symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depression, allergy-like problems, low blood pressure and nervous-system problems. Some doctors also use vitamin supplements for alleviating symptoms of ME/CFS.
Experimental Protocols for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Several doctors and researchers have developed ME/CFS treatment protocols that are backed by little or no scientific evidence. These doctors/researchers and many of their patients claim the protocols work.
Other patients, however, say the protocols weren't successful for them, and some experts say the protocols are little more than placebos and could even harm your health. It's important to involve your doctor in any decisions you make on untested treatments.
Researchers also are looking into several other treatments for ME/CFS. They include:
- Acupuncture. This treatment has been studied in conjunction with fibromyalgia, which is similar to ME/CFS. In one clinical trial, patients improved significantly, especially when it came to fatigue and anxiety.
- Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate is the drug in Ritalin and Concerta and is commonly used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD). At least one study has found that it helped CFS patients with fatigue and concentration problems.
- Corticosteroids. Studies have had contradictory results as to the effectiveness of hydrocortisone in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
- D-ribose. Some research suggests that supplements of this form of sugar may significantly improve ME/CFS symptoms.
Sources:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), Jun 22, 2007. All rights reserved. ”Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”
Healthcommunities.com, Inc., Aug. 8, 2007. All rights reserved. "Trigger Point Injections"
Regina P. Gilliland, MD, Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Rehab Medicine, Mobile Infirmary Medical Center"Fibromyalgia"
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, June 16, 2006. All rights reserved. "Acupuncture: sharp answers to pointed questions"
