Saturday, September 20, 2008

ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) / CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and FMS (fybromyalgia)

I have one. or the other. or both, depending on who you ask. I find that some doctors believe them to be one in the same, and some will barely discuss it. I find that most people in general see it as a non-condition, a cop-out or laziness. The onset for me was following a viral infection. Sometimes when I just can't get anything done, or just sleep for an entire weekend, or can barely get up out of chair in the evenings, it's hard to cut myself any slack when it feels like no one around me does.

Some of the symptoms, such as the "fybro fog" and burning/tingling of extremities appeared or worsened after chemotherapy. I thought the fog was chemo fog and would go away, but it is still here. Maybe I'm permanently brain damaged from the chemo.

No reason to post this all here; I'm just sayin'.

Taken from http://chronicfatigue.about.com/, here are a couple of lists of symptoms. Symptoms I have, or had before menopause, are highlighted. The astrisked items also appear on the CDC diagnostic criteria.

Monster List of ME/CFS Symptoms:

Sleep & Energy-Related Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Incapacitating fatigue*
Post-exertional malaise* (extreme fatigue after exercise, lasting 24 hours or more)
Poor stamina


Flu-Like Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Pain in joints without swelling or redness* (can be constant or move between joints)
Muscle aches*
Unrefreshing sleep*
Sore throat*
Headaches of a new type, pattern of severity*
Tender lymph nodes
Chronic cough
Nausea

Other Pain/Sensation Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Morning stiffness
Earache
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
, as an overlapping condition (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, bloating)
Numbness
Tingling and/or burning sensations in the face or extremities
Chest pains (Always treat chest pain as a serious condition warranting immediate medical care.)
Jaw pain (possibly TMJ, as an overlapping condition)

Cognitive Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Short-term memory or concentration problems*
Word-finding difficulties
Inability to comprehend or retain what is read
Inability to calculate numbers
Impaired speech
Impaired reasoning
Mental fogginess


Psychological Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Note: While these symptoms are generally considered psychological, they do not indicate that chronic fatigue syndrome is a psychological condition, and some or all of these symptoms may be caused by physiological abnormalities.
Depression, as an overlapping condition
Irritability
Anxiety
Panic attacks

Personality changes
Mood swings

Sensitivities & Intolerances of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Allergies
Sensitivities to noise, odors, chemicals or medications
Sensitivity to heat and/or cold
Alcohol intolerance

Cardio & Respiratory Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Irregular heartbeat
Neurally mediated hypotension (dizziness & balance problems upon standing)
Shortness of breath

General Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Low-grade fever or low body temperature
Visual disturbances (blurring, light sensitivity, eye pain, worsening vision, dry eyes)
Chills & night sweats
Dry mouth & eyes (called sicca syndrome)
Rashes
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), as an overlapping condition
Unexplained weight changes
Muscle twitching
Seizures
Recurrent infections
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), as an overlapping condition
Endometriosis, as an overlapping condition

Monster List of Fybromyalgia Symptoms:

General Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events
Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)
Sweats
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate

Headaches & migraines

Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Morning stiffness
Muscle twitches
Diffuse swelling

Fibrocystic (lumpy, tender) breasts (as an overlapping condition)

Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Allergies
Post nasal drip
Runny nose
Mold & yeast sensitivity
Shortness of breath
Earaches & itchy ears
Ringing ears (tinitis)
Thick secretions

Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep
Fatigue
Sleep starts (falling sensations)
Twitchy muscles at night

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Menstrual problems
PMS
(as an overlapping condition)
Loss of libido
Impotence

Abdominal & Excretory Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Bloating & nausea
Abdominal cramps
Pelvic pain
Irritable bowel syndrome (as an overlapping condition)
Urinary frequency


Cognitive (fibrofog) Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Difficulty speaking known words
Directional disorientation
Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors
Short-term memory impairment
Confusion
Trouble concentrating
Staring into space before brain "kicks in"
Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Sensitivity to odors
Sensitivity to pressure changes, temperature & humidity

Sensitivity to light
Night driving difficulty
Sensory overload

Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Panic attacks
Depression
(as an overlapping condition)
Tendency to cry easily
Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)
Mood swings
Unaccountable irritability

Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Mitral valve prolapse (as an overlapping condition)
Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat
Pain that mimics heart attack, frequently from chostochondritis (as an overlapping condition)

Skin & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Pronounced nail ridges
Nails that curve under
Mottled skin
Bruising or scaring easily
Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)

1 comment:

Anneke Sergio said...

Here is a great herbal doctor who cured me of Hepatitis B. his name is Dr. Imoloa. I suffered Hepatitis B for 11 years, I was very weak with pains all over my body my stomach was swollen and I could hardly eat. And one day my brother came with a herbal medicine from doctor Imoloa and asked me to drink and I drank hence there was no hope, and behold after 2 week of taking the medicine, I started feeling relief, my swollen stomach started shrinking down and the pains was gone. I became normal after the completion of the medication, I went to the hospital and I was tested negative which means I’m cured. He can also cure the following diseases with his herbal medicine...lupus, hay fever, measles, dry cough, diabetics hepatitis A.B.C, mouth ulcer, mouth cancer, bile salt disease, fol ate deficinecy, diarrhoea, liver/kidney inflammatory, eye cancer, skin cancer disease, malaria, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, food poisoning, parkinson disease, bowel cancer, bone cancer, brain tumours, asthma, arthritis, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, lyme disease, muscle aches, fatigue, muscle aches, shortness of breath, alzhemer's disease, acute myeloid leukaemia, acute pancreatitis, chronic inflammatory joint disease, Addison's disease back acne, breast cancer, allergic bronchitis, Celia disease, bulimia, congenital heart disease, cirrhosis, constipation, fungal nail infection, fabromyalgia, (love spell) and many more. he is a great herbalist man. Contact him on email; drimolaherbalmademedicine@gmail.com. You can also reach him on whatssap- +2347081986098.