Disability Resource Directory

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Finding a Diagnosis

  For individuals who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome it can be a challenge in successfully having their condition diagnosed. The basic profile of this condition is that they suffer from unrelenting mental and physical fatigue. Along with that fatigue come a number of symptoms that can increase their overall discomfort in a variety of ways.

This is without a doubt a debilitating disease and many who suffer from it have expressed their frustration that, while technically accurate, the name does not quite do justice to the seriousness of it. In some way they feel it trivializes what they are experiencing. And because some early diagnoses classified this condition as a 'psychological disorder' there was the added stigma of the idea that the disease was the result of some hidden mental and emotional issues.

While the medical community has come to understand that this is a serious physiological condition there still remains a degree of difficulty in determining that CFS is the diagnosis. While taxing the patience of the sufferer, it is in part understandable, in that the fatigue and the other symptoms associated with CFS are also common to many other illnesses. Added to that is the problem that there is as yet no laboratory test that can produce a biomarker that would distinctly indicate CFS. On top of which the illness manifests itself differently with each individual. The degree of severity and the fluctuations in its course not being the same for any two people.

Unfortunately this means that it may take a length of time to eliminate, first of all, the possibility that another serious condition is the underlying problem. This will require that the doctor obtain a personal medical history. If the patient has been enduring six or more months (consecutively) of deep, unrelenting fatigue along with some other issues that may include flu like symptoms and cognitive problems - the initial impression may indicate the possibility of CFS. However, he will of necessity need to run a variety of tests to determine the state of health of the major bodily systems to be sure that there isn't another hidden health issue such as a possible auto-immune disease or thyroid problem.

In diagnosing the possibility of CFS, a doctor will need to know if the fatigue experienced is unaffected by any efforts at rest. He will also look for other symptoms that usually accompany Chronic Fatigue Syndrome such as muscle and joint pain (without any redness or inflammation), muscle weakness, sleep disorders, unusual headaches, stomach problems, chronic sore throats, tender lymph nodes, mental fogginess and other cognitive and memory issues. There are currently some resources in the form of extensive questionnaires that may help a doctor to narrow the focus of his search.

Due to the fact that there is still so much unknown about this disease and how to treat it, it may prove to be a tense time as sufferers may feel that they are not being believed and/or their treatment does not seem to be seeing quick results. It can also be frustrating for any doctor or health care provider who is trying to bring relief.

As is so often the case, a patient will need to be as proactive as possible in analyzing his or her own situation and monitoring what is working and what isn't. At the same time it is important to try and maintain a calm and open communication with others. There is a great deal of comfort to be had and knowledge to be gained in reading about others who have struggled with this illness as well and regained their health.