There is no specific treatment that has proven to be effective in treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Because CFS has no known cure and its cause remains uncertain, any treatment plan focuses primarily on treating the symptoms in an effort to improve the patient’s quality of life. Patients often find they experience the most improvement when following a multi-faceted treatment plan incorporating prescription medication, alternative therapies and lifestyle adaptations.
Prescription Medicines: There are currently no FDA-approved medications for chronic fatigue syndrome, therefore, any drugs used must be prescribed off-label. Several types of medications that may be prescribed to address the various symptoms of CFS include:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Immunoglobulins
- Antivirals
- Anticonvulsants
- Antifungals
- CNS depressants
- Anti-inflammatories
- Corticoids
- Expectorants
Prescribing medications for CFS patients can be complicated and challenging due to the fact that often people with CFS have an increased sensitivity to the adverse effects of many medications. Sometimes a medication’s side effects can be worse than the original symptom. With or without the adverse reaction, finding the medication that works best for each individual CFS patient is usually a matter of trial and error.
Alternative Therapies: Many CFS patients find various alternative treatments to be effective in managing their symptoms. Alternative therapies include:
- Acupuncture
- Aquatic therapy
- Massage
- Chiropractic
- Therapeutic touch
- Stretching
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Nutritional supplementation
Lifestyle Adaptations: Lifestyle changes are necessary and may be among the most effective means of managing CFS symptoms. Recommended lifestyle changes include:
- Follow a regular, yet manageable, daily routine
- Get more rest (Avoid complete bedrest which leads to deconditioned muscles and increased fatigue.)
- Reduce physical and emotional stress
- Improve diet (Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar and food additives.)
- Get mild to moderate regular exercise (i.e., gentle stretching, mild water exercises)
Sources:
About CFIDS The CFIDS Association of America, Inc., 2004
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome MayoClinic.com, 2005
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Wikipedia, 2006
