Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disease that causes you to feel so ill that you can't do your normal activities. Sleeping problems occur along with extreme fatigue that doesn't get better with rest. Any kind of activity often makes your symptoms worse. You may have other symptoms like problems with thinking.
Doctors don't know what causes ME/CFS. It seems to follow after a flu-like illness. High stress may also lead to ME/CFS for some people. And changes in a person's immune system may also play a role. It's likely that a number of factors or triggers come together to cause ME/CFS.
Symptoms can vary with ME/CFS. If you have ME/CFS:
Depression is common with ME/CFS, and it can make your other symptoms worse.
To be diagnosed with ME/CFS, you must have all of these symptoms:footnote 1
You must also have one or more of these symptoms:
Doctors may also use a variety of tests to confirm a diagnosis or to rule out other conditions.
There isn't a cure yet for ME/CFS. So the keys to living with ME/CFS are learning how to pace your activities and treating your symptoms.
There are some things you can do to treat the most common symptoms.
Doctors don't know what causes ME/CFS. It seems to follow after a flu-like illness like Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). But EBV doesn't cause all cases of ME/CFS. Other infections like parvovirus B19 and Ross River virus may also be linked to ME/CFS.
High stress may also lead to ME/CFS for some people. This could be a period of high physical or emotional stress or a major life event.
Changes in a person's immune system may also play a role.
It's likely that a number of factors come together to cause ME/CFS.
ME/CFS symptoms usually start suddenly. But for some people, they develop slowly over weeks or months. Symptoms can change in a day, and from day to day. And how severe the symptoms are can differ from person to person.
Symptoms can vary with ME/CFS. But there is a core set of symptoms that affect nearly everyone with ME/CFS.
The core symptoms are:
Fatigue can be constant, or it can come and go. It's not relieved by rest. This fatigue also is so severe that it interferes with your work, play, and social activities.
You may feel ill or weak or that your ME/CFS symptoms are worse after physical or mental activity. Even daily activities like showering, cooking, and reading can trigger symptoms. Often there is a delay of 24 hours before it starts. It can take days, weeks, or more to feel better.
You may have trouble sleeping. Or you may wake up feeling tired or not rested.
ME/CFS may also cause other symptoms. These may be just as common as the core symptoms. Different people with ME/CFS have different combinations of:
It's common for people with a chronic condition like ME/CFS to feel depressed. Some may grieve the loss of the active life they once had. If you feel depressed, talk with your doctor. Treatment for depression may prevent ME/CFS symptoms from getting worse.
ME/CFS may come upon you gradually or all of a sudden. It is hard to say what is normal with ME/CFS. That's because the diagnosis often is not clear for some time.
In general, most people with ME/CFS:
But some people with ME/CFS may:
Most people with ME/CFS find that their symptoms greatly reduce their ability to do the things they want and need to do. But ME/CFS is different for everyone. Symptoms are worse for some people than for others.
It's important to talk to your doctor about any symptoms you may have.
Call your doctor if you have:
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. A month or two of paying close attention to your sleep habits, trying to control stress, and eating a balanced diet will take care of most cases of fatigue not caused by ME/CFS or another medical problem. But if your fatigue has not improved after 1 to 2 months of self-care, or if fatigue won't go away and limits your usual activities, call your doctor.
If you have been diagnosed with ME/CFS, pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms and report them to your doctor. Although ME/CFS can cause a variety of symptoms, new symptoms could be caused by another illness or medical condition that may need to be evaluated and treated.
While there are doctors who specialize in the treatment of ME/CFS, it is always wise to start with your family doctor and learn as much as you can about the illness.
Depending on your symptoms, your family doctor may refer you to a specialist like a physiatrist, rheumatologist, neurologist, pain management specialist, or cardiologist.
It's common to also have depression or anxiety along with a chronic condition like ME/CFS. So you may also be referred to a psychologist, or psychiatrist for treatment.
Doctors use a specific list of symptoms to diagnose ME/CFS. Sometimes they may have you track your symptoms, activity, and rest in a diary. Since symptoms of ME/CFS can be similar to other conditions, doctors may do additional tests to confirm a diagnosis of ME/CFS. Or they may use a variety of tests to rule out other conditions.
To be diagnosed with ME/CFS, you must have all of these symptoms:footnote 1
You must also have one or more of these symptoms:
Other conditions can cause symptoms similar to ME/CFS, so your doctor may do more tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include:
Other tests, such as blood or urine tests, may be done to rule out other conditions. And based on your symptoms, the doctor may do additional tests to look for signs of a chronic infection, autoimmune disease, or low levels of hormones.
There isn't a cure yet for ME/CFS. So the keys to living with ME/CFS are learning how to pace your activities and treating your symptoms. Find a primary doctor who understands ME/CFS, knows how to treat it, and helps you feel supported.
A good relationship with your doctor is important. That's because the two of you will need to work together to find a mix of medicines and behavior changes that will help you get better. Some trial and error may be needed. That's because no single combination of treatments works for everyone.
Start by listing your worst symptoms—the ones that make it hardest to get through the day. With your doctor, focus first on treating those symptoms. Decide whether a specialist might be helpful for any of them.
The most common ME/CFS symptoms can also be the most treatable.
Learning how to manage your activity can help you be as active as possible without causing your symptoms to get worse. This includes:
Good sleep habits can help improve the quality of your sleep. If you also try medicine for sleep, it's best to start on a low dose. Certain antidepressants help with sleep, mood, and chronic pain, so your doctor may suggest trying one.
Your doctor may have you wear pressure stockings, put your legs up while sitting, or increase your salt intake. Your doctor may also suggest medicines like fludrocortisone or midodrine.
Different kinds of pain can be treated in different ways. If one treatment doesn't work, you and your doctor can try another until you find what works best for you.
When you have ME/CFS, you may not be able to do the things you would like to do. This may lead to feelings of frustration and anxiety. It can also lead to depression. Depression is not the same thing as ME/CFS. But it can make your ME/CFS symptoms worse.
An ME/CFS support group can be a good source of information and tips for managing your illness. It also gives you a chance to share your frustrations and problems with others who have ME/CFS.
Visit your doctor every few months to help track your symptoms and check for any need to change your treatment.
Get specialized care if you need it. For example:
Sign "release of information" forms so that your doctors can work together as a team.
Here are some steps you can take to control and sometimes relieve your ME/CFS symptoms.
Medicines don't cure ME/CFS. But they can help relieve your symptoms.
You might take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. They include acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (such as Aleve). They sometimes relieve joint and muscle pain, headaches, and fevers. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Talk to your doctor if your pain isn't helped by OTC medicine.
These include:
Along with daily self-care and the treatment you get from your doctor, you might find that other treatments help too.
There are safe nontraditional treatments that can relieve pain and stress, ease muscle tension, and help you feel better and healthier.
Some popular complementary treatments include:
Some types of yoga may be very intense and cause your symptoms to worsen. Look for a gentle form of yoga. It may be best to start off with short sessions at home so that you can take breaks.
Some people may try different diets, vitamins, or supplements to help manage their symptoms. Talk with your doctor before you try a new diet, vitamin, or supplement. And pay attention to how your body and symptoms respond to it. You can work closely with your doctor to figure out what works best for you.
Current as of: October 6, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2022 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Follow Us
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details