Here's The Straight Scoop On Chronic Fatigue Symptoms

by Barbara Pino, BA, MA, MFCC

Is Chronic Fatigue Real?

Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome an illness or is it a socially acceptable label for hypochondriacs? Well, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has been considered controversial, but then again, lots of things are controversial.

There are some in the medical community who believe strongly that this illness exists and there are many who think Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a "catch all" for sloppy diagnosticians.

The public is divided in a fashion that is similar to the medical community. Some believe it is truly a debilitating illness, with people being sick for months and usually years, sometimes never fully recovering. Others believe that it is a convenient diagnosis for those who are "burned out," depressed, or chronically symptomatic.

A growing number of medical professionals blame the controversy on troublesome diagnostic criteria put out by the Center for Disease Control in 1988.

Problems With Chronic Fatigue Symptoms:

1. A person would have to be severely fatigued for 6 months before a diagnosis could be given.
2. The average daily activity level had to drop below 50%, a requirement difficult to verify.
3. It was a diagnosis of exclusion. If the person didn't test positive to other illnesses, then the symptom picture was labelled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
4. The symptom list was general, so that many illnesses could look like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
5. Physical signs were required, something difficult to establish when symptoms change considerably throughout the normal course of an illness.

The Center for Disease Control has revised the case definition and this was published in December of 1994. Some problems were addressed, but these still remain:

1. There is a requirement of persistent, chronic fatigue with a definite onset that is not the result of ongoing exertion. All symptoms, however, must be present for at least 6 months.
2. There is no specific average daily activity level requiremed.
3. Unfortunately, other illnesses have to be ruled out first before a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be given. This is because a clear diagnostic tool, such as a blood test, has not yet been developed.
4. The symptom list has been reduced and is still general. The symptoms must include at least four (4) of the following in addition to fatigue:
 
• Short-term memory or concentration problems
• Sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain without swelling
• Headaches
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Debility or lack of energy after exercise, lasting more than 24 hours
5. An examination does not have to reveal physical signs; a complete symptom picture is sufficient to warrant the diagnosis.

Some doctors may order tests that check your immune system. These can be expensive and generally are done only in research settings. In addition, it's hard to know what the findings of these tests mean because so little is known about the immune system's connection to chronic fatigue syndrome.

All admit the working case definition is not perfect and will continue to be refined as more is discovered about this illness. Some wonder how an illness recognized by the Center for Disease Control and Social Security can still be disbelieved.

There are those who wonder what the difference is between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression. Pain, weakness, fatigue, confusion, troubles concentrating, memory disturbance, and sleep disorders all can be symptoms of depression.

Differences Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression

• Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes are not symptoms of depression.
• Depressed patients usually feel better after exercise, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients feel worse and this lasts more than 24 hours.
• Most people, whether healthy or depressed, can improve their performance on a memorization test by using reminders. Reminders are largely worthless to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients because of a problem forming new memories.
• A depressed person can handle a brief interruption when memorizing something. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients' performance suffers six times as much from the interruption.
• When asked to predict how they will do on a thinking test, depressed people tend to underestimate their abilities, while Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients tend to overestimate theirs.

So what is the answer? More research. If you have chronic fatigue symptoms and do believe you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and need a diagnosis, find a physician who is familiar with CFS. Most CFS associations and support groups have lists of doctors who are knowledgeable and supportive.

For more information, contact:

• The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. at (800) 442-3437.

About the Author:

Barbara Pino, BA, MA, MFCC is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego, California. Having recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after four years of disability, she specializes in working with immune system issues. Ms. Pino is a CFS resource contact person in San Diego and regularly writes and lectures to promote education in the area of immune system problems. For more information on CFS, please contact The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. (800) 442-3437.