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Symptoms
Although its name trivializes the illness as little
more than mere tiredness, chronic fatigue and
immune dysfunction syndrome
(CFIDS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), brings with it a constellation of debilitating
symptoms.
CFIDS is characterized by incapacitating fatigue
(experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina) and problems
with concentration and short-term memory. It is also accompanied by flu-like
symptoms such as pain in the joints and muscles, unrefreshing sleep, tender
lymph nodes, sore throat and headache. A distinctive characteristic of the illness is post-exertional
malaise, a worsening of
symptoms following physical
or mental exertion occurring within 12-48 hours of the exertion and requiring an extended recovery
period.
The symptoms of CFIDS are highly variable and fluctuate
in
severity, complicating treatment and the ill person’s ability to cope with the
illness. Most symptoms are invisible, which makes it
difficult for others
to understand the vast array of debilitating symptoms with which people with the illness must
contend.
Other Common Symptoms
Additional symptoms
are reported by
people with CFIDS (PWCs) such as word-finding difficulties, inability to
comprehend/retain
what is read, inability to calculate numbers and impairment of speech and/or reasoning. PWCs may also
have visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain, need for frequent prescription
changes); psychological problems (depression, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, personality changes,
mood
swings); chills and night sweats; shortness of breath; dizziness and balance problems; sensitivity to
heat
and/or cold; alcohol intolerance; irregular heartbeat; irritable bowel (abdominal pain, diarrhea,
constipation, intestinal gas); low-grade fever or low body temperature; numbness, tingling and/or burning
sensations in
the face or extremities; dryness of the mouth and eyes (sicca syndrome); gynecological problems including
PMS
and endometriosis; chest pains; rashes; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); allergies and sensitivities to
noise/sound, odors, chemicals and medications; weight changes without changes in diet; light-headedness;
mental fogginess;
fainting; muscle twitching; and seizures.
For More Information
Although the CFIDS
Association of America does not dispense
medical advice on the diagnosis or treatment of CFIDS/CFS, or similar
conditions, we do have an interactive
questionnaire
to familiarize site visitors with the symptom patterns and exclusions that can lead a health care provider
to make a diagnosis of CFIDS.
Request a copy of "Introducing CFIDS" or other
free
materials.
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