DEFINITIONThe best-known symptom of ME/CFS is fatigue. However, the fatigue of ME/CFS is nothing like the fatigue most people experience at the end of a long day or following a strenuous workout. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes the fatigue of ME/CFS as “severe, incapacitating, and all-encompassing.” In fact, the fatigue people with ME/CFS experience is so severe that it significantly limits their ability to work, go to school, participate in social activities and take care of their own personal needs. The most severe cases can leave patients housebound or bedridden.
A key component of ME/CFS fatigue is post-exertional malaise. This is extreme, prolonged exhaustion and a worsening of symptoms following physical or mental exertion. The symptom exacerbation usually begins 12 to 48 hours after the exertion and requires an extended period of recovery. Other fatigue characteristics ME/CFS patients describe include feeling like they have the flu all the time, a feeling of heaviness in their limbs, and low energy levels accompanied by a feeling of over-stimulation.
Another defining factor of the fatigue of ME/CFS is that it is not relieved by sleep. Patients may awaken feeling just as fatigued as they did before they went to sleep. Because getting good, deep, refreshing sleep is essential for the body to replenish itself, healthcare professionals will often address sleep issues first. If sleep problems can be corrected, fatigue symptoms should begin to improve as well.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of ME/CFS are variable and unique to each sufferer. The overriding symptom is one of debilitating unexplained fatigue that lasts longer than six months. This fatigue significantly reduces activities of daily living including work, school, social, and personal activities. The fatigue is made worse by any exertion and not relieved by rest.
Other primary symptoms may include:
Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
Non-refreshing sleep and difficulties including insomnia and oversleeping.
Headaches of a new type or severity
Muscular pain, morning stiffness
Multi-joint pain (without redness or swelling)
Persistent low-grade fever
Problems with short-term memory or concentration.
Along with these primary symptoms, people with ME/CFS can also experience:
Gastric disturbances including irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, nausea.
Psychological problems, including depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Night sweats.
Allergies or sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, medications or noise.
Some people have dizziness, dry eyes or mouth, earaches, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss
Appropriate alternative diagnoses need to be excluded as the main cause of the problem. If other potentially fatigue causing conditions are present (e.g. depression, insomnia, diabetes), the physician has to judge whether these or CFS are the main cause of symptoms. (Source: Fukuda, C. et. al., The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group. Annals of Internal Medicine 1994; Annals of Internal Medicine 1994;121:953)
*Note: these definitions may vary from country to country as well as over time [different definitions during different decades]. Researchers may use a definition that varies from the clinical one.
Post edited by: Beached, at: 02/09/2012 10:40 AM
Post edited by: Beached, at: 02/09/2012 10:41 AM
Dancing on the edge is the only way to be.
