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Chronic Fatigue – The Facts You Should Know

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In this post, let’s talk about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also known as CFS or ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis – phew, that’s a mouthful). Patients that have been diagnosed with CFS/ME have usually met certain criteria. Before we get into this, if you can relate to any of this, ensure you speak to your GP. Getting a diagnosis may be tricky for some patients because the guidelines for diagnosing are pretty specific, and these symptoms can often overlap with other conditions. The exhaustion must have been present for a minimum of six continuous months and the corresponding symptoms must have begun as a result of the fatigue. By having a clear outline of CFS/ME (its symptoms and the treatment options available) it will help patients to gain a greater understanding of CFS/ME.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Commonly, those of us who are diagnosed with different illnesses feel better to have a name put to our collection of symptoms. However, the basic description of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome doesn’t make sufferers feel much better about their diagnosis. CFS/ME is currently unexplained by researchers. As a result, there is no known reason for the exhaustion that is present in the patient. Its characteristic symptoms include weakness of the body, feeling exhausted, muscle pain, lethargy, difficulty sleeping, and sometimes even high temperature and swollen lymph nodes.

Symptoms

We have discussed some of the symptoms linked with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome already. However, there is a pretty long list. Sufferers are aware of a variety of symptoms and then there are additional symptoms that are only doctors notice. Regardless, when the symptoms are present for a while with no obvious cause then CFS/ME is a common diagnosis.

Some of the more frequent symptoms of CFS/ME include:

  • Muscle aches
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Intermittent fatigue
  • Depression
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Depression
  • Memory loss
  • Weakness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Achy joints

Frequently, CFS/ME begins during periods when patients have been unwell or under a lot of stress. Sometimes it begins for no apparent reason. Many sufferers have noted that after attacks of other illnesses, CFS/ME rears its ugly head. Sadly, CFS/ME endures for months, sometimes coming and going and other times constantly affecting the patient. Other illnesses start to clear up after a few days or weeks. However, CFS/ME hangs around for a while with no obvious cause.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Doctors find it very challenging to diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because so many of its symptoms overlap with other illnesses. This is why many doctors wait to see the symptoms last for at least six months, before providing a diagnosis. Sufferers of CFS/ME can find the lack of an immediate diagnosis difficult on top of their symptoms. Yet, doctors have to rule out diseases like Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as other conditions, before diagnosing CFS/ME.

Doctors are becoming more knowledgeable of CFS/ME and therefore more likely to give a diagnosis sooner, based on fewer symptoms. That is not to say that CFS/ME is easy to diagnose, because it is far from it. However, this raised awareness and new guidelines are helping doctors and patients of CFS/ME every day.

Treatment Options

There are various treatment options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and they can combine alternative as well as prescription therapies.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Some of the alternative options for CFS/ME include avoiding stress and engaging in light exercise. Additional treatment possibilities that have worked for some sufferers. These include massage, hydrotherapy, chiropractic healing, yoga, self-hypnosis, NLP, Tai chi, and acupuncture. Psychotherapy has also supported patients with CFS/ME because it helps them to learn to cope with their symptoms.

There’s no specific medication to treat CFS/ME. Luckily, there is medication that you can take to relieve some of the symptoms. Frequently, the primary use of the medicine is secondary and its side effects are what benefit CFS/ME sufferers. Paracetamol is often used to help ease headaches, with ibuprofen being an option for muscle and joint pain. Your GP can prescribe more powerful painkillers, although these should only be used on a short-term basis. Doctors can prescribe medicines like antidepressants, cardiac drugs, antihistamines, immunoglobulins, corticoids, anti-inflammatories, and anti-convulsants among others to CFS/ME sufferers.

Do You Have CFS?

If you are worried that you may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you should contact your GP to make an appointment. It is a good idea to record your symptoms, when they began, and also if new ones develop. This will help your doctor to make the proper diagnosis and help you to receive relief from the symptoms sooner.


This website does not provide medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on The Imperfect Cactus website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your GP or dial 999.


Kelly Winter is a self-care guru from Stockport, Cheshire. You can contact her here at www.theimperfectcactus.com, on Instagram (@TheImperfectCactus), Facebook (@TheImperfectCactus) or Twitter (@ImperfectCactus). ‘The Guide to Boosting Self-Esteem‘ is Kelly’s debut self-help guide which is available on Amazon.

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