Disability Resource Directory

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

  As it's name suggests, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is marked by exhaustion. A fatigue so deep and debilitating that it is not relieved by rest - no matter how much one tries. This is not a fatigue that is the result of ongoing exertion. And the person who is suffering from it has had a marked reduction in normal activity of at least fifty percent.

Whether the fatigue has manifested itself suddenly or gradually, when someone becomes a victim to it, it can last from six months to a number of years. In many incidents it coincides with another illness that could be respiratory in nature or gastrointestinal. It may follow an acute infection that has flu like symptoms. And it has been found that a severe trauma - whether it be physical as in the case of an injury or surgery or emotional such as in the loss of a loved one - can be a trigger for this syndrome.

With the ongoing severe fatigue a number of other symptoms will be evidenced. Among these are the following:

An increasing inability to concentrate. Some have described this as 'mental fogginess'. Perhaps finding it hard to think of the proper words to use. A sufferer may also find that their short term memory is being affected. That their ability to concentrate for any length of time becomes difficult. Others may have some spatial disorientation and as a result feel clumsy and unsteady on their feet.

There can be a significant amount of pain in the muscles and joints of someone suffering from CFS. The joint pain will not have the redness and swelling that is the case with arthritis though. It may also prove to be transitory in nature. There can be a feeling of muscle weakness and 'twitchiness'.

Headaches may occur. If the individual normally suffers from headaches they may notice that these are different in nature, severity and duration from what they are used to.

There can be nerve and skin sensitivity that can be described as painful. Some have described feeling pain in their eyes, jaw and bones. Sore throats and swollen and painful lymph nodes are an issue. For others they have remarked on chest pain and having a shortness of breath.

Getting sufficient and proper sleep is yet another dysfunction that comes with CFS. Also, the way that their sleep pattern is affected may vary in that the length of deep sleep may be cut short or interrupted, breathing rhythms may be off or vivid disturbing dreams may cause unrest.

Certain neuroendocrine functions (such as our metabolism) may be affected and the CFS sufferer may experience fluctuations in their body temperature - going between feverish and cold. They may find they have a decreased tolerance of extremes in environmental temperatures. There may be digestive disturbances in that they find a change in their appetite which in turn could translate into an unusual gain or loss of weight. In addition these gastrointestinal problems may include bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea.

While this list covers some of the main symptoms that may occur with CFS it is always good to keep in mind that each individual will be a unique case. Since some of these health problems could be a possible manifestation of a different underlying problem it is important to communicate with your health care provider anything that causes you specific concern.