How is CFS diagnosed?
GWVRP: Document DetailWhen evaluating patients with chronic fatigue of unknown origin, physicians can use the following definition of CFS as a guide. This detailed definition was developed for research use under the leadership of the Centers for Disease Control. It was published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in March 1988. Because the disease is still poorly understood, however, the outlined criteria should be considered provisional.
Related QuestionsWhat would you say to someone who's been newly diagnosed with ME/CFS or FMS?
ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Fibromyalgia - Share Your E...TIP: You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. Do you have a photo of yourself to add? Great! Click the button and find it on your computer. Then select it. Click below to see contributions from other ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia sufferers... Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome - A Year and a Half in Hell This is my story of living with Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome..
Related QuestionsFM/CFS/ME RESOURCES - FAQ's About FM/CFS/MEANSWER: Doctors find it difficult to diagnose CFS because it has the same symptoms as many other diseases. When talking with and examining you, your doctor must first rule out diseases that look similar, such as multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus in which symptoms can take years to develop. In follow-up visits, you and your doctor need to be alert to any new cues or symptoms that might show that the problem is something other than CFS.Related Questions
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeThere are no tests for CFS. Doctors can diagnose it only by ruling out other possible causes of your fatigue. Many other health problems can cause fatigue, and most people with fatigue have something other than chronic fatigue syndrome.Related Questions
Can CFS be diagnosed through a blood test, a brain scan, a brain biopsy or any diagnostic test?
GWVRP: Document DetailThere is no blood test, no x-ray and no laboratory test that is diagnostic of CFS yet. CFS is diagnosed by careful history, previous medical record examination, exclusion of certain illnesses, exclusion of primary depression and by following, as carefully as one can, the CDC guidelines without adding numerous other symptoms common to many other illnesses.
Related QuestionsIs ME/CFS One Illness... Or More?
About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fat...Those are just a few pages from the large ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome section. To check out the main CFS/ME section, click here!
Related QuestionsIs there a cure for CFS/ME?
About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fat...As of yet, no universal cure has been found for CFS/ME. But there are medicines, supplements and therapies that seem to have helped some CFS/ME sufferers. Interestingly though, what works for one sufferer may not necessarily work for another. So the key is to read up on what’s available and to consult with your doctor before spending lots of cash on something that may or may not be suitable for you.
Related QuestionsWho are the authorities on CFS?
GWVRP: Document DetailAny clinician *should* be able to diagnose it -- beware of having to "fly away" to an authority who will diagnose and treat CFS.
Related QuestionsWhat are the myths about CFS?
GWVRP: Document DetailThat it is all in your mind; if you would just rest more, you could be well; if you would eliminate some stress, you would be better, etc.
Related QuestionsWhat is the misinformation about CFS?
GWVRP: Document DetailThat it can be cured, prevented, that it causes cancer, AIDS, etc. Solid scientific research should address all avenues and fact, NOT FICTION, should be reported to the public. Also, there is not a good patient data base, thus "hyped" estimates of patients only tend to create panic and threats of an epidemic which have no basis in fact.
Related QuestionsWhat causes CFS?
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeNo one knows for sure what causes CFS. Many people with CFS say it started after an infection, such as a cold or stomach bug. It also can follow a bout of infectious mononucleosis (mono), the “kissing disease” that drains your energy. Some people with CFS say it started after a time of great stress, such as the loss of a loved one or major surgery. It can be hard to figure out if a person has CFS because extreme tiredness is a common symptom of many illnesses.
Related QuestionsWhat are the signs of CFS?
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeThe signs of CFS can come and go or they can stay with a person. At first, you may feel like you have the flu. As well as extreme tiredness and weakness, CFS symptoms include: Many people with CFS report other symptoms too, ranging from a constant cough to feelings of depression. If you think you may have CFS, talk to your doctor.
Related QuestionsHow is CFS treated?
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeRight now, there is no cure for CFS. But there are things you can do to feel better. Talk to your doctor about ways to ease your symptoms and deal with your tiredness. You might also try these: Try to stop or do less of the things that seem to trigger your tiredness. For a week or two, write down what you do each day and note when you feel really tired. Then, look over this list to find out which activities tend to tire you out.
Related QuestionsWhat can I do to cope with CFS?
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeIt’s normal to feel cranky, sad, angry, or upset when you have an illness like CFS. Here are some things you can do that may help you to feel better: See the "For more information..." section at the end of this FAQ for a list of organizations that can help you cope with CFS. Join a CFS support group. Sometimes it helps to talk with people who are going through the same thing.
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What are M.E., CFS, PVFS, and CFIDS?
About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fat...Sure you can get the clinical and medical definitions - but that doesn't really help much if you want to know what it's really like. So here are a few pages that might help you get to grips with what this illness (or group of illnesses) is really about:
Related QuestionsIs CFS/ME all in the mind? Or is it real?
About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Post Viral Fat...No it's not all in your mind! There's a whole sub-section dedicated to this, and to the medical scepticism that CFS/ME sufferers are often faced with. I hope you'll find these pages useful:
Related QuestionsWhat about CFS support groups? Are they any good?
GWVRP: Document DetailSupport groups should be just that: "support" -- not treatment. A reputable group will provide only scientific information, but beware of groups holding "sales meetings" for the latest recommended treatment.
Related QuestionsWhat has been the media's role in CFS?
GWVRP: Document DetailThe media has brought awareness to the illness through factual coverage as well as some inaccurate reporting. This is a very difficult disease to understand; even some medical professionals lack understanding of the illness. The media has often referred patients to organizations that can give them educational materials on CFS.
Related QuestionsAre there any good books on CFS?
GWVRP: Document DetailThere are approximately 15 books available on CFS which have been reviewed for medical accuracy and are now available through CHIRI, 3521 Broadway, K.C., MO 64111.
Related QuestionsIs ME/CFS Real - Or Is It Really All In The Mind?
Evidence : Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Sy...One of the most common questions about this illness is whether Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome is actually real....
Related QuestionsWhat Is CFS/ME?
FM/CFS/ME RESOURCES - FAQ's About FM/CFS/MEANSWER: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) is persistent debilitating fatigue of recent onset, with greatly reduced physical activity and some combination of muscle weakness, sore throat, mild fever, tender lymph nodes, headaches, and depression, not attributable to any other known causes; it is of controversial etiology.
Related QuestionsWill EPD fix my CFS?
EPD FAQ (Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization FAQ)CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a tough nut to crack. A number of EPD Mailing List members report that EPD has not (as yet anyway) been fully effective against CFS. However, EPD has made enough difference in food, inhalant, and chemical side issues to be worthwhile. Even though EPD does not appear to be a CFS cure, it has reportedly been very beneficial at regaining strength and regaining a more normal lifestyle.
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