Treatment Plans For Me/cfs
There’s no single way of managing ME/CFS that works for everyone, but there are a number of treatment options.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says you should be offered a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms.
Your doctor should discuss all of the options with you, and explain the benefits and risks of any treatment.
They should work with you to develop a treatment plan that suits you and takes into account your circumstances and preferences.
You may need advice about making lifestyle changes, specialist treatments, or a combination of both.
If your symptoms are severe, your doctor should ask a specialist for advice.
Your treatment plan should be reviewed regularly.
What Is Chronic Fatigue
It is usually expressed as fatigue, lack of energy and feelings of emptiness or exhaustion. This type of fatigue can be normal or abnormal. In the case of pathological fatigue, recovery is not possible despite enough rest and makes it very difficult to carry out daily activities. Chronic fatigue lasts for at least six months and is accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle or joint pain, memory loss or concentration difficulties. Chronic fatigue syndrome is most common in women between 25 and 40 years of age and occurs unexpectedly.
How Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
Your doctor diagnoses ME/CFS by performing a mental and physical examination. Doctors will ask about your medical history and order blood and urine tests to check for infection. In many cases, doctors refer people with suspected ME/CFS to other specialists to rule out other illnesses that could be causing symptoms.
For your doctor to diagnose ME/CFS, you must have these 3 symptoms:
- Severe fatigue lasting at least 6 months that does not improve with rest or sleep
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue that gets worse after mental or physical exercise
Additionally, you must have at least 1 of the following symptoms:
- Orthostatic intolerance
You May Like: Is Fatigue A Side Effect Of Humira
Articles On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Thereâs no simple blood test or X-ray to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome â also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis . And many of the symptoms of the illness — deep tiredness, unrelieved by rest or sleep, feeling worse after physical or mental exertion, trouble concentrating, feeling worse after standing and remaining on oneâs feet and other symptoms– are also seen in other conditions, too, making the diagnosis of ME/CFS more difficult.
Give The Healthcare Providers A Check
Once you’ve compiled a list of healthcare providers in your area, you can verify their credentials at the American Medical Association’s DoctorFinder website. Also, see which ones are covered by your insurance plan and who accepts Medicare/Medicaid .
Next, you can call the offices of healthcare providers still on your list and talk to the office managers. Tell them you have chronic fatigue syndrome and ask what kind of experience the practitioner has diagnosing and treating it. You may also want to ask how long it will take to get an appointment, and whether you’ll be able to speak to the healthcare provider when you call with problems or questions.
You’ll also want to find out whether the healthcare provider is accepting new patients, if the office will accept your insurance , and whether payment or co-pays are due at the time of your appointment.
Read Also: Can Cancer Cause Extreme Fatigue
Find A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Healthcare Provider
The more you know about chronic fatigue syndrome , the better prepared you’ll be when trying to find a healthcare provider. It’s a difficult process, and you may need to educate a few health-care professionals along the way. Be sure you know the list of symptoms and become familiar with the various ways ME/CFS is treated.
The crux of the problem is that no medical specialty has “claimed” ME/CFS, so finding a knowledgeable healthcare provider isn’t as easy as with most illnesses. Even fibromyalgia, which is considered closely related to CFS, falls under the auspices of rheumatology. Chronic fatigue syndrome is not well understood, and many health-care providers have a hard time recognizing it. Some don’t even believe it is an actual condition.
All this means that the burden of finding someone qualified to treat you falls squarely on your shoulders. However, you have a number of resources to use in your search.
Home Remedies And Lifestyle Changes
Making some lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms.
Limiting or eliminating your caffeine intake can help you sleep better and ease your insomnia. You should limit or avoid nicotine and alcohol too.
Try to avoid napping during the day if its hurting your ability to sleep at night.
Create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and aim to wake up around the same time every day.
Recommended Reading: Extreme Leg Weakness And Fatigue
How Is Cfs Treated
Theres currently no specific cure for CFS.
Each person has different symptoms and therefore may require different types of treatment to manage the disorder and relieve their symptoms.
Work with your team of healthcare providers to create the best treatment plan for you. They can go over the possible benefits and side effects of the therapies with you.
Find A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Doctor
So, you have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and wish to find a doctor that can help with your condition in the best possible manner, right? Of course its imperative to find a doctor that is proficient, also someone you will be able to trust. Lets take a look at all you need to know, in your search for that perfect doctor.
Read Also: How To Deal With Adrenal Fatigue Naturally
How Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated
There is no cure for ME/CFS. Treatment goals include managing symptoms and returning you to a higher quality of life. Some people arenât able to regain the level of health and function they had before their diagnosis.
First, your doctor works with you to determine which symptoms cause the most difficulty. Together, you will address those symptoms immediately.
Counseling is helpful for many people with ME/CFS. This type of treatment helps people better tolerate symptoms by changing thoughts and behaviors. Your doctor may prescribe medications, like antidepressants or sleep aids, if your symptoms are especially severe. These medications can relieve symptoms like unrestful sleep for some people living with ME/CFS.
Before prescribing sleep aids, however, your doctor may provide suggestions for improving sleep without drugs. For instance, he or she might suggest that you visit a sleep specialist. Other tips include:
- Develop a regular bedtime routineâgo to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
- Do not nap for more than 30 minutes total during the day.
- Use your bed and bedroom only for sleeping and sex. Take out all electronics.
- Avoid eating large meals before you go to bed also avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Do your exercising at least 4 hours before you go to sleep.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnosis And Treatment
JOSEPH R. YANCEY, MD, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
SARAH M. THOMAS, MD, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
Am Fam Physician. 2012 Oct 15 86:741-746.
Patient information: See related handout on chronic fatigue syndrome, written by the authors of this article.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a widespread problem. It is estimated that more than 2 million Americans have CFS, many of whom have not been diagnosed.1 Women are twice as likely as men to have CFS,1 and it is more common in persons older than 40 years.1,2 There is not an established racial or educational predilection.1,2 CFS is often mentally and emotionally debilitating, and persons with this diagnosis are twice as likely to be unemployed as persons with fatigue who do not meet formal criteria for CFS.3 In 2002, the estimated annual cost of lost productivity was $9.1 billion dollars in the United States.4 In addition to economic hardships, persons with CFS are more likely to report subjective functional impairment than those with chronic fatigue.3
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Persons with chronic fatigue should have an evaluation, including history, physical examination, and initial laboratory testing .
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Persons with chronic fatigue should have an evaluation, including history, physical examination, and initial laboratory testing .
You May Like: Best Fatigue Mat For Standing Desk
What Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is persistent and crippling fatigue lasting 6 months or longer. People living with ME/CFS often experience other symptoms, like unrefreshing sleep and muscle aches. The condition is also sometimes called chronic fatigue syndrome.
Doctors do not know what causes ME/CFS, and there is no cure. You may be able to manage symptoms with cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise, and medications, like antidepressants and sleep aids. The goal of treatment is to make symptoms as manageable as possible to increase your quality of life.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Did you know that there is a disease whose main feature is an intense fatigue persisting for months? Fatigue on a permanent basis may be due to a health problem, which should be examined by your doctor. Although there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, changing diet habits and certain hygiene measures has been shown to improve the quality of life for many people.
Also Check: The Difference Between Fatigue And Tired
How To Look For Doctors That Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Many people have a hard time recognizing and separating cases of a chronic fatigue syndrome from other health problems. A medical professional may also find it a challenge. Hence, it is advisable to look for health care providers with a reputation in treating this disease. You may find local hospitals, clinics, or alternative treatment clinics to detect this issue. Check out other ways that you can utilize the next time you feel a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ask Your Relatives, Friends, Or Family Members
You may start asking your relatives, friends, or family members if you see signs of chronic fatigue syndrome in your body. Your lifestyle will undoubtedly change, your sleeping patterns
Look For Community Care Groups
Some kind-hearted doctors are accessible through small groups. These groups cater to the public or for the local community. You may find support groups willing to give the best quality care, especially for chronic fatigue syndrome. Dont miss the opportunity of supporting young physicians and veterans on their journey for better health care.
Your Primary Care Physician Can Help
How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
CFS diagnosis depends on two criteria:
A specific treatment for CFS has yet to be proven effective. Vitamin supplements and medicines have some benefit. Many treatments just relieve the symptoms of CFS.
Don’t Miss: Crown Comfort King Anti Fatigue Mat
Comparison With Previous Literature
The best comparators for our real world results are the results reported by the PACE trial of cognitive behaviour therapy and graded exercise therapy for adults with CFS/ME. The PACE trial showed a reduction in mean fatigue from 28 points at randomisation to 20 points at 12 months , followed by a slight further reduction at 31 months follow-up . This is very similar to the trend observed in our data. PACE reported larger improvements in physical function than observed in our study, a difference between trial and real world outcomes which we found previously in an analysis of routinely-collected data . The proportions of PACE trial participants who rated their overall health as very much or much better at 12 and 31 months were 41% and 4248%, respectively, compared with 28% and 30% in our study .
How Do I Know If I’m At Risk
While there is no explanation as to why a particular person may experience chronic fatigue syndrome, there are several factors that play an important role in influencing someones likelihood of being diagnosed with CFS. These risk factors include:
- Age: Most individuals with CFS will receive an official diagnosis when they are between 40 and 50 years old.
- Gender: Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome two to four times more often than men.
- Genetics: It is commonly accepted that certain individuals are born with a predisposition to CFS.
- Stress levels: Inability to effectively manage stress can contribute to the development of CFS.
- Prior health concerns: While there is no clear link, evidence suggests that individuals who suffer from a compromised immune system, abnormal hormone levels, human herpes virus 6, Epstein-Barr virus, or mouse leukemia viruses may be more likely to become affected by CFS.
Don’t Miss: Does Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Fatigue
Your Primary Healthcare Provider
The thing here is, your family physician is someone you can trust and that is a big bonus. However, he or she might not be all that well versed with CFS. However, they might indeed know of another doctor who can help you with the same. They might even be willing to learn more about the condition, if you share a special connection with them.
How To Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This article was co-authored by Chris M. Matsko, MD. Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017. This article has been viewed 60,219 times.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating condition which leaves the afflicted individual with an ongoing feeling of exhaustion. Persons with CFS may be unable to perform even mundane activities which under normal circumstances present no problem. There is no cure for CFS, and there are no medications developed specifically for the condition. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available which can alleviate the symptoms associated with CFS.
Read Also: Ankylosing Spondylitis And Chronic Fatigue
What Complications Are Associated With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome
For some people, the fatigue associated with ME/CFS makes activities of daily living very difficult or even impossible. Research shows that only half of all people diagnosed with ME/CFS work full-time or part-time jobs.
ME/CFS causes significant depression in many people living with the condition. If you experience depression, talk with your doctor â effective treatments are available.
What Are The Treatments For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no cure or approved treatment for CFS, but you may be able to treat or manage some of your symptoms. You, your family, and your health care provider should work together to decide on a plan. You should figure out which symptom causes the most problems and try to treat that first. For example, if sleep problems affect you the most, you might first try using good sleep habits. If those do not help, you may need to take medicines or see a sleep specialist.
Strategies such as learning new ways to manage activity can also be helpful. You need to make sure that you do not “push and crash.” This can happen when you feel better, do too much, and then get worse again.
Since the process of developing a treatment plan and attending to self-care can be hard if you have CFS, it is important to have support from family members and friends.
Don’t try any new treatments without talking to your health care provider. Some treatments that are promoted as cures for CFS are unproven, often costly, and could be dangerous.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
You May Like: Why Does Psoriasis Cause Fatigue
Home Remedies And Lifestyle
Making lifestyle changes may greatly impact how you feel, and the specific changes you need can depend on the severity of your illness and whether certain activities exacerbate your symptoms. While some people may see the tremendous benefit just from making changes to the way they eat, for example, others may find that more sweeping changessuch as a job changemay be necessary.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
Medicine can treat some of the symptoms, such as muscle aches, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression. The medicine may only reduce your symptoms and allow you to be more active, not cure the fatigue. So far, there is no medicine that cures the entire syndrome. Most symptoms improve with time.
Your doctor can work with you to provide relief from your CFS symptoms. He or she also can help you find ways of coping with the way CFS changes your life. Chronic fatigue affects you physically, emotionally, and socially. When you address all of these factors, you have the best chance of adjusting to your illness and feeling more satisfied with your life.
If you have CFS, having a good long-term relationship with your doctor helps. Communicating with your doctor will help him or her manage your CFS symptoms.
You May Like: Post Stroke Fatigue Years Later
How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated
Treatment is determined by your healthcare provider and based on:
- Your overall health and medical history
- Extent of the condition
- Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
- Medicine, including corticosteroids, antidepressants, and others
- Light-intensity aerobic exercise
- Dietary supplements and herbal preparations
- Psychotherapy and supportive counseling
What Else Could It Be
Many people who have ME/CFS have other conditions, too. If you get treated for those, it might also improve your chronic fatigue.
ME/CFS can look a lot like âmonoâ , Lyme disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, or depression. It affects about 2.5 million Americans, but experts believe only about 20% are diagnosed.
Don’t Miss: What Would Cause Extreme Fatigue
