C.F.S/M.E Symptoms List...
Although.. it's name.. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.. (CFS) merely trivializes the illness of that of one of of just being tired.. it brings along with it other characteristics.. which to the sufferer prove to be disabling and debilitating.
Although this condition is mainly characterized my it's incapacitating fatigue... and flu -like symptoms.. such as pain in the joints and muscles.. sore throat, headache... unrefreshing sleep.. the most distinctive characteristic is post-exertional malaise.. a worsening of symptoms followed by any mental or physical exertion... which can occur 12-48 hours after the exertion.. other characteristics of (CFS)...
- Loss of memory or concentration
- Sore throat
- Painful and mildly enlarged lymph nodes in neck or armpits
- Unexplained muscle soreness
- Pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness
- Headache of a new type, pattern or severity
- Sleep disturbance
- Extreme exhaustion after normal exercise
Other symptoms...
Many C.F.S/M.E patients have reported additional symptom's.. which may include
- Abdominal pain
- Alcohol intolerance
- Bloating
- Chest pain
- Chronic cough
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Earache
- Irregular heartbeat
- Jaw pain
- Morning stiffness
- Nausea
- Night sweats
- Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
- Shortness of breath
- Tingling sensations
- High or low blood pressure
- High or low body temp
- High or low blood pressure
- High or low body temp
- Jelly legs
- Labyrinthitis
- Lack of motivation
- Loss of speach
- Low grade fever
- Muscle pain
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Nausia
- Runny nose
- Sensitivity to prescription medicines
- Short temperedness
- Sore throat
- Swollen and painful glands
- Teeth clenching
- Unrefreshed sleep
- Visual disturbances/Inability to focus
- Waking dreams
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Insomnia
- Lack of concentration
- Forgetfullness
- Noise sensitivities
- Shaking episodes
Although the above information is more on an informative level... the severity of the illness.. to the sufferers.. is disabling and debilitating...
As a whole... living with C.F.S/M.E can prove to be frustrating.. as the lifestyle that once was taken for granted... as now been exchanged with one of living with frustration as we constantly battle to survive.. amidst our symptoms...
Myself... I contracted (CFS) 4 years ago... after a bad bout of the flu... A year later... after numerous visits to the doctor... I was then sent to a specialist and diagnosed...
Since then, my symptoms through the years... have been of...
- psychological problems (depression.. irritability... anxiety.. panic attacks... personality changes.. mood swings)
- ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- weight changes without changes in diet..
- slight fever.. or low body temperature..
- irritable bowel...(abdominal pain, diarrhea... constipation... intestinal gas
- eye pain.. need for frequent prescription changes..
- sensitivities to noise/sound.. odours... and medications
- Brain fog/light headedness....
- Dizziness... and balance problems...
- Shaking episodes.....
- Impairment of speech....
- Sensitivity to heat/cold...
- Muscle and joint pain...
- Muscle weakness...
If I had broken my leg... had a plaster on it.. boarded a bus only to find that all the seats were taken... someone.. would have risen from there seat.. and offered it to me... but as my illness.. tends to be invisible... I'm left standing on the bus... as no-one will give up there seat... they see no reason to do it.... but there is a reason.... and maybe one day... they will see... realise... and understand.
But on a hopeful note... The percentage of (CFS) patients who recover is unknown... there is some evidence to indicate that the sooner a person is treated, the better the chance of improvement. This means early diagnosis and treatment are important... for the afflicted...
We have started a discussion on our CFS forum to see what additional symptoms of C.F.S./M.E. that fellow sufferers are experiencing, or have experienced during their time of having this illness...
You can find them by clicking the following link:
If you have any symptoms that are NOT on the list, please register on our forum and let us know what they are...
