4 Responses

1. poppy1

   March 30th, 2009 at 2:40 am

   1

   Hi Wabby,
   I have Fibromyalgia,Arthritis,tendinitis,carpal tunnel and Osteoporosis.I really don’t know how they test for ME or what the treatment would be.. I just hope you don’t have ME.. I wish you luck MY Friend..
   A Friend,
   poppy1

2. Alexa___

   March 30th, 2009 at 5:56 am

   2

   Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is hard to diagnose. Fatigue is an extremely common problem, and it can have many other causes. CFS can be diagnosed only by ruling out other conditions.

   First, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Experts have come up with a specific list of symptoms to decide whether a person has CFS. Doctors use a variety of tests to rule out other conditions. These tests usually include:

   Complete blood count (CBC), which provides important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in your blood.
   Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube. This tells whether or not certain types of inflammation are present.
   Blood glucose level, used to check for diabetes.
   Thyroid-stimulating hormone test, used to detect problems that affect the thyroid gland.
   Chemistry panel, a blood test that provides information about your general state of health.
   Urinalysis, a urine test that can provide information about your overall health and clues to many conditions.
   These are routine lab tests. Other tests may be done if your symptoms, history, and physical exam suggest other possible problems. Additional tests may include:

   ANA (antinuclear antibodies), to check for lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).
   Rheumatoid factor, to check for rheumatoid arthritis.
   HIV test, to check for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
   Tests for Lyme disease, if you may have been exposed to ticks.
   Skin test, for tuberculosis.

   Some doctors may order tests that check your immune system. These can be expensive and generally are done only in research settings. In addition, it’s hard to know what the findings of these tests mean because so little is known about the immune system’s connection to chronic fatigue syndrome.

   Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) focuses on making you feel better so that you can resume a normal life. Simple measures you can take at home-such as improving your sleep habits and getting gentle exercise-are important parts of treatment. Talking with a counselor or psychologist has been proven to be helpful for people with CFS.6, 7

   Although there is no cure for CFS, many of its symptoms do respond to treatment.

   Initial treatment
   Pain relievers that you can buy without a prescription, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, may help relieve headaches, muscle and joint pain, and other physical symptoms. Narcotic pain relievers, which require a prescription from a health professional, may become addictive if they are used frequently, so they are generally prescribed in the most severe cases on a short-term basis.

   Taking antidepressants and getting counseling can help relieve your other symptoms, whether you have depression or not. Antidepressants are used to improve your mood, control your pain, and help you sleep. With CFS, treating both physical and psychological factors is important.

   There are many unproven remedies, such as special diets or mineral supplements, that some people recommend for treating CFS. There is no evidence that any of these are effective.1, 6

   Ongoing treatment
   Home treatment is very important. Adjusting your daily schedule, improving your sleep habits, and getting regular, gentle exercise can often help you feel better. Beginning a graded exercise program, in which the level of exercise starts out easy and gradually grows more challenging, should be part of your treatment. Studies have shown that a carefully planned exercise program can help people with CFS regain their strength and energy and feel better.6 Remember that if you have CFS, you will be able to do only light exercise. Doing too much or increasing your level of exercise too quickly can make your symptoms worse.

   A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to help people with CFS function better on a day-to-day basis.6, 7 It is counseling that teaches people how to change the way they think and behave to cope more successfully with their fatigue and other symptoms.

   Even though it’s not easy, keeping a good attitude is a great benefit for people with CFS.1 Your mind and body are connected and influence each other. Physical illnesses can be made worse-or better-by your feelings and attitudes, and vice versa. Learn as much as you can about your disease and work with your doctor to learn ways to cope with your symptoms. Get emotional support from your health professionals as well as from your family and friends. It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of frustration, anger, and depression. Learning to cope with your symptoms will help you avoid that cycle

   Regular visits to your doctor every few months can help track your progress and evaluate any changes in your symptoms that might indicate that your fatigue is caused by something other than CFS.

   Treatment if the condition gets worse
   The good news about CFS is that it rarely gets worse over time. In some people, it goes away in 1 or 2 years. Others have periods of relatively good health followed by periods of severe symptoms and great difficulty. Relapses are not unusual. Continue to see your doctor periodically to monitor changes in your condition.

   What To Think About
   Although the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not well understood, the fatigue is real and can make day-to-day activities difficult. As you work toward regaining your strength and energy, don’t go too fast. Aim for a gradual return to your previous level of activity.

   Doctors focus on giving support, information, and counseling, and on treating any problems that arise as a result of symptoms of CFS. If you are depressed, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant. Medicines are also prescribed to help you sleep, relieve your pain, and treat blood-pressure problems. Blood pressure problems may include orthostatic hypotension in which your heart beats faster and your blood pressure drops when you stand or sit up quickly.

   Joining a support group can reassure you that there are others who share your experience, that you are not alone. Talking to others who have CFS can help you maintain a good attitude, which is critically important to feeling better.

3. nickipettis

   March 30th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

   3

   usually it is diagnosed by eliminating all the other possible diseases it could be a part of.

   not easy.

4. sokokl

   March 30th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

   4

   Chronic Fatigue is ruled in after things like a B 12 deficiency (also checked thru bloodwork) are ruled out. They also take a look at the thyroid levels to make sure there is no hypothyroidism (which means the thyroid when it functions is slow) going on because some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is also fatigue and low energy levels.

   I have the link to a site that can help you find even more information. The link is at: http://chronicfatigue.about.com

   This site also has information on fibromyalgia.