CFS, CFIDS & ME Symptoms

-CFS Symptoms | -CFS Poem

"Healing begins when you embrace your illness and accept where you are even while wishing you were somewhere else"

-CFS is a Call For Soulwork

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS/M.E.) is a severe illness with serious consequences. CFS is not just disease: it is a syndrome. That is, rather than manifesting as a single condition, CFS represents a constellation of symptoms and conditions (up to a hundred). Below, you will find a far-reaching list of the most common symptoms and conditions. Due to the complexity of CFS, this list may be incomplete.

While each person with CFS is unique, with his or her own story to tell, most share several physical symptoms, conditions, and losses.

Unlike many diseases that can be diagnosed through simple testing, CFS typically requires a thorough health history accompanied by running several tests to rule out other possible conditions. To be diagnosed, a patient will have at the least experienced the symptoms in the CDC’s (Center For Disease) diagnosis:

CDC Diagnosis
Unexplained, persistent, or relapsing chronic fatigue of six months or longer (unrelenting, all-encompassing, not your go-to-bed-fix-it type) plus, (in addition, 4 or more of the following, enduring at least six months):
* Significant Short-term Memory Loss
* Impaired Mental Concentration
* Sore Throat
* Muscle Pain
* Multi-joint Pain
* Atypical Headaches
* Unrefreshing Sleep
* Post-exertion Exhaustion (fatigue after exercise)

Other Possible Symptoms (may include):
Flu: chills, fever, sweats, exhaustion

Mononucleosis

Cognitive Trouble:
- Memory loss (short & long-term)
- Inability to think clearly

Lost Identity

Emotional Disturbances:
-Depression
-Anxiety
-Irritability
-Panic

Sleep Disturbances:
-Insomnia
-Hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
-Inability to stay asleep

Weakness, Lethargy, Malaise

Achy-all-over

Pain

Excessive Pain, especially in Trigger Points (Fibromyalgia)

Pain in Joints

Candida Albicans (Yeast Syndrome):
-Bloating
-Gas
-Foggy thinking
-Irritability

Food Allergies/Sensitivities:
-“Leaky gut”
-Joint pain
-Coughing, wheezing, sneezing

Hypersensitivity to light, noise, odors

Loss of:
-Job
-Relationships
-Ability to perform simple tasks
-Identity

Loss of Libido (sex drive)

Weight Changes (+ OR - normal)

Endocrine System Imbalances:
-Adrenal weakness
-Thyroid disease (Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism)
-Hormonal Deficiency, Imbalance
-HPA-axis dysfunction: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenals combined

Low Blood Pressure

Neural-Mediated Hypotension (type of low blood pressure)

Sugar Metabolism Diseases:
-Insulin Resistance
-Syndrome-X
-Hypoglycemia

Digestive Disturbances:
-Difficulty Swallowing
-Nausea
-Constipation
-Diarrhea
-Gas

Food Allergies/Sensitivities:
-Wheat
-Dairy
-Soy
-Nuts/seeds
-Fish

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Sensitivity to:
-Chemicals in air, water, soil
-Mold
-Household Cleaners
-Pesticides
-Paints, Stains, Glues
-Personal Care Products

Nutritional Deficiencies:
-Vitamin B’s (B12)
-Magnesium
-Calcium

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
-Sleep Disturbances
-Depressed moods (due to seasonal or environmental change or any changes -in light exposure)

Weakened Nails

Skin Conditions

Dry Hair/Hair Loss (hypothyroidism)

Weakened Immune System

Viruses:
-Epstein-Barr, Mononucleosis, Herpes Simplex

Copyright 2005, Gretchen Brooks Nassar