Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Case Definition
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: December 1994)
Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined by the presence of the following:
1. Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent, or relapsing chronic fatigue that
- Is of new or definite onset (has not been lifelong)
- Is not the result of ongoing exertion
- Is not substantially alleviated by rest
- And results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities
2. Concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms, all of which must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue:
- Self-reported impairment in short-term memory or concentration severe enough to cause substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Multijoint pain without joint swelling or redness
- Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
My story
I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since March 1997. It all started with food poisoning. I wasn't working at the time due to a back injury. I was in physical therapy and doing very well. The food poisoning drained me completely, but I had no reason to think that I wouldn't recover. Unfortunately, I never did recover. I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I tried to go back to physical therapy, but couldn't complete any of my routine. I would get dizzy easily, and I was too fatigued to hold any position. My doctors told me to do what I could. I tried but was not able to do much of anything.
After about a month of endless fatigue and feeling sick, I knew I was dealing with something more than the lingering effects of food poisoning. My doctor was also concerned, and he ordered a bunch of blood tests. All the results were normal except for one: my Epstein Barr Virus titer was 1280, the highest he had ever seen. Based on my history, symptoms and test results, he concluded that I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The symptoms had to persist for at least six months to qualify for an official diagnosis, but we were able to try treatments right away.
At that time, my life became a medical experiment. I began a slow, long journey of trying a variety of medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and combinations of them all. Some trials made me more sleepy; others made me shaky. I still have not yet found an effective treatment.
My Symptoms
My symptoms include:
Alcohol intolerance, Brain fog, Chills/Sweats, Clumsiness, Concentration difficulties, Confusion,
Decreased libido, Dizziness, Ear aches, Exercise intolerance/Lack of endurance, Fatigue, Frequent urination, Headaches, Hearing problems, Heaviness in legs and feet, Hiccups,
Irregular menstrual cycle, Jaw popping, Jaw pain/Chewing difficulties, Loss of words, Low grade fever, Memory problems,
Mood swings, Mouth sores, Muscle aches, Muscle spasms, Muscle weakness, Sleeping problems, Sore throat, Stomach upset,
Swollen/Tender glands, Temperature sensitivity, Vision problems, and Word and Number reversal.
I have been diagnosed with:
- Allergies
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Neurally Mediated Hypotension
- Scapulothoracic muscle syndrome
- Scoliosis
- Temporomandibular Joint (T.M.J.) dysfunction
Basically, I feel like I have an ongoing flu. I never feel rested, and I try to do things until my body says stop.
My Update - December 2000
I have had CFS and its related conditions for almost 4 years now. I have seen several doctors and tried numerous treatments. I continue to be debilitated by this illness. However, I have found some improvement!
The most effective treatment I have found is Zoloft, an anti-depressant. I was given this medication to combat my Neurally Mediated Hypotension. (Other medications hadn't worked.) I take 50 mg each morning. I cannot tolerate a higher dosage. This medication is far from a cure, but it certainly has regulated my blood pressure problems. I can now stand without getting dizzy, and this has increased my activities dramatically. I still experience fatigue, and I am not able to work and be the person I was before. However, I do feel a little more normal!
Along with the Zoloft, I take multiple vitamins and amino acids. I also take Ambien (5mg) every night to regulate my sleep. I continue to search for a better treatment plan, and I generally try something new every couple of months.
My Update - June 2004
I continue to combat my chronic fatigue. Currently, I am taking a more natural approach. Under the guidance of an holistic chiropractor, I stopped taking Zoloft, started taking whole food nutritional supplements, and reduced the amount of sugar and white flour in my diet.
I have experienced some fluctuations in my health, but I always seem to return to the same plateau. I simply try to understand my limits and work within them. I have been able to maintain 5 - 10 hours of work each week and limited activities. Unfortunately, the symptoms will not go away.
More to come...
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(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: December 1994)
Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined by the presence of the following:
1. Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent, or relapsing chronic fatigue that
- Is of new or definite onset (has not been lifelong)
- Is not the result of ongoing exertion
- Is not substantially alleviated by rest
- And results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities
2. Concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms, all of which must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue:
- Self-reported impairment in short-term memory or concentration severe enough to cause substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities
- Sore throat
- Muscle pain
- Multijoint pain without joint swelling or redness
- Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
My story
I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since March 1997. It all started with food poisoning. I wasn't working at the time due to a back injury. I was in physical therapy and doing very well. The food poisoning drained me completely, but I had no reason to think that I wouldn't recover. Unfortunately, I never did recover. I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
I tried to go back to physical therapy, but couldn't complete any of my routine. I would get dizzy easily, and I was too fatigued to hold any position. My doctors told me to do what I could. I tried but was not able to do much of anything.
After about a month of endless fatigue and feeling sick, I knew I was dealing with something more than the lingering effects of food poisoning. My doctor was also concerned, and he ordered a bunch of blood tests. All the results were normal except for one: my Epstein Barr Virus titer was 1280, the highest he had ever seen. Based on my history, symptoms and test results, he concluded that I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The symptoms had to persist for at least six months to qualify for an official diagnosis, but we were able to try treatments right away.
At that time, my life became a medical experiment. I began a slow, long journey of trying a variety of medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and combinations of them all. Some trials made me more sleepy; others made me shaky. I still have not yet found an effective treatment.
My Symptoms
My symptoms include:
I have been diagnosed with:
Basically, I feel like I have an ongoing flu. I never feel rested, and I try to do things until my body says stop.
My Update - December 2000
I have had CFS and its related conditions for almost 4 years now. I have seen several doctors and tried numerous treatments. I continue to be debilitated by this illness. However, I have found some improvement!
The most effective treatment I have found is Zoloft, an anti-depressant. I was given this medication to combat my Neurally Mediated Hypotension. (Other medications hadn't worked.) I take 50 mg each morning. I cannot tolerate a higher dosage. This medication is far from a cure, but it certainly has regulated my blood pressure problems. I can now stand without getting dizzy, and this has increased my activities dramatically. I still experience fatigue, and I am not able to work and be the person I was before. However, I do feel a little more normal!
Along with the Zoloft, I take multiple vitamins and amino acids. I also take Ambien (5mg) every night to regulate my sleep. I continue to search for a better treatment plan, and I generally try something new every couple of months.
My Update - June 2004
I continue to combat my chronic fatigue. Currently, I am taking a more natural approach. Under the guidance of an holistic chiropractor, I stopped taking Zoloft, started taking whole food nutritional supplements, and reduced the amount of sugar and white flour in my diet.
I have experienced some fluctuations in my health, but I always seem to return to the same plateau. I simply try to understand my limits and work within them. I have been able to maintain 5 - 10 hours of work each week and limited activities. Unfortunately, the symptoms will not go away.
More to come...
Alcohol intolerance, Brain fog, Chills/Sweats, Clumsiness, Concentration difficulties, Confusion,
Decreased libido, Dizziness, Ear aches, Exercise intolerance/Lack of endurance, Fatigue, Frequent urination, Headaches, Hearing problems, Heaviness in legs and feet, Hiccups,
Irregular menstrual cycle, Jaw popping, Jaw pain/Chewing difficulties, Loss of words, Low grade fever, Memory problems,
Mood swings, Mouth sores, Muscle aches, Muscle spasms, Muscle weakness, Sleeping problems, Sore throat, Stomach upset,
Swollen/Tender glands, Temperature sensitivity, Vision problems, and Word and Number reversal.
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