My Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
It’s been almost a year since I posted this article about being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. A lot has changed since then. I have chronic fatigue syndrome, but I am learning to embrace my limitations and focus on being the best I can be, even on days where I don’t want to leave the couch. First, I want to say a little about my illness and share some of the chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms I experience. I was inspired by Char at Chronically Hopeful to write this post.
The first part of the list was taken from the CDC page for ME/CFS symptoms and the second part of the list was taken from The Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis from the ME Support site because I found it to be the most inclusive of my symptoms.
Key:
Primary symptoms required for a ME/CFS diagnosis according to the CDC are in bold
✽✽ I experience these symptoms daily or almost daily
✻ I experience these symptoms intermittently, at random, or during flares
✽✽Greatly lowered ability to do activities that were usual before the illness. This drop in activity level occurs along with fatigue and must last six months or longer
✽✽Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before illness. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM)
✽✽Sleep problems
✽✽Problems with thinking and memory
✻Worsening of symptoms while standing or sitting upright. This is called orthostatic intolerance
✽✽Muscle pain and aches
✽✽Joint pain without swelling or redness
✽✽Headaches, either new or worsening
✻Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
✻A sore throat that happens often
✻Digestive issues
✽✽Chills and night sweats
✽✽Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, or noise
✽✽Muscle weakness after using muscles, lasting for days
✽✽Muscle pain (mainly back of shoulders, upper arms and thighs)
✽✽Blurred vision
Sensations of pins and needles or numbness
✽✽Loss of concentration
✽✽Headache
Muscle twitching
✽✽Difficulty in speech (using the incorrect word or not being able to think of a word)
✽✽Poor circulation (cold hands and feet)
Abnormal sweating with a sour smell
✻Impairment of memory
Breathing difficulty
✻Extreme sensitivity to sound
✻Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
Sleep disturbances
✻Palpitations and/or racing heartbeat
Difficulty in standing for any length of time
✽✽Vivid dreams or nightmares
✽✽Joint pains
Disorientation
Depression
✽✽Nausea
Chest pains
Emotional instability (crying easily or rapid mood change)
✻Altered sense of taste and/or smell
Balance problems
Difficulty walking
Panic Attacks
✽✽Poor temperature control
✻Poor co-ordination (clumsiness)
Pallor
✻Poor bladder control
✻Skin sensitivity to touch
Spontaneous bruising and skin rashes
✽✽Great thirst
I don’t write this to complain or make you feel bad for me, but I want to share how I’m feeling so others know that they’re not alone. There are others out there who have it worse than me and others who are not so bad. It does not mean your symptoms are not legitimate. Some days are tougher than others, but I’m glad I found mindful meditation and encouragement from online support groups and bloggers with the same condition. I also practice affirmations on a daily basis, but I will write more on coping in another post.