Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms & Signs

Signs & Symptoms Of
ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

There are many ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms and signs -
not just persistent tiredness. This page gives you a very broad overview of some of the symptoms of:

» Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome
» Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
» Myalgic Encephalopathy
» Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms ...

Please note: To make it easier for you to read through this page, we will refer to these labels and/or sub-groups of illnesses collectively as ME/CFS or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Please remember that a sufferer does not necessarily have to suffer from all of the ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms and signs listed on this page, and that the list of symptoms is by no means, exhaustive.

ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms & Signs ...
Is It Just About Feeling Tired?

Most people think that ME/CFS is just about 'feeling tired'. If only!

Yes, the main M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms are overwhelming and persistent tiredness - but this bone-shattering fatigue and weakness is severely disabling. And the is certainly a world apart from the 'healthy tiredness' that a non-sufferer experiences, even on a tiring day.

But it doesn't stop there. There are a variety of other M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms too.

'I've noticed that many people mistakenly think that PVFS /ME /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is 'just about feeling tired'.

In fact, the misconception that we just feel 'very tired' doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg.

Not only is our exhaustion and fatigue much more profound, but we suffer so many more problems than that. People just don't realise it.'

-- Justin, Crawley, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferer --

As a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer, you may not suffer from all of the M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms ...

You may pick up some M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms , while other M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms may disappear. It's totally unpredictable.

By the way, for info and tips on living with ME/CFS/PVFS, please feel free to subscribe to the FREE Sleepydust Emagazine.

Each issue is packed with tips on dealing with your ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms !

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What's more, Sleepydust plan to put publish lots more info about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms and how to deal with them. If you'd like to be notified about when you can access this info online, sign up to the FREE sleepydust newsletter, and we'll let you know.

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So What Are The Main ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms?

Here are some of the main Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms in no particular order:

• Persistent exhaustion or extreme tiredness (feeling weak, always sleepy , always tired )
• Non-refreshing sleep
• Insomnia - problems sleeping
• Hypersomnia
• Depression
• Malaise lasting more than 24 hours after exertion
• Delayed onset of fatigue, sometimes 1 to 3 days after exertion
• Nausea or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Sensitivity to light
• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Dizziness
• Short-term memory loss
• Concentration problems
• Sore throat
• Mild fever
• Swollen glands/ enlarged glands
• Rashes
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Muscle pain or muscle fatigue
• Joint pain (without swelling or redness)
• Menstrual problems

Remember! You may only experience some of the ME/PVFS /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms , not all.

Profound exhaustion however, is obviously the main ME/PVFS /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom that you would experience to some degree as a ME/PVFS /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer .

If you're wondering which supplements and products can help ease your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms , check out our reviews of helpful items and supplements for ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia sufferers here...

Relapse , Remission & ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Periods of relapse (where you get much worse) and remission (better) are common. Some ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers find it helpful to pace themselves (easier said than done)!

ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptom :
Fatigue After Physical Or Mental Exertion

The exhaustion experienced by a ME/CFS sufferer (as a ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom ) is a disabling, severe and endless fatigue that is different from the 'normal' tiredness a non-sufferer would experience.

Mental and physical exertion generally makes the severe fatigue worse. In fact, what seems to set ME/CFS apart from other illnesses, is that the 'fatigue' (for want of a better word) is usually experienced after mental or physical exertion.

The amount of mental or physical 'activity' a person can tolerate, and the degree to which they will experience the symptoms, will depend on how severely they are affected and can very much vary from person to person.

The 'exertion' can be comparably small compared to what a 'healthy' person might call exertion. For example, physical exertion can mean just getting dressed for a relatively severely-affected sufferer, and in severe cases, even less than that. If a person is more mildly affected, it could mean going grocery shopping.

"For a very ill person, too much can be taking a shower or making a sandwich.

For someone further up the recovery ladder it may be a conversation too long, a walk too far or too prolonged a spell at the computer."

-- Dr Lynn Michell ~ Shattered, p9 --

The extreme, bone-shattering fatigue does not improve with bed rest and can last for many years.

This profound exhaustion (ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom ) severely affects your lifestyle. Depending on the severity of your M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, some normal activities (such as working, studying, going to the shops or even getting dressed) are so difficult that they may no longer be possible.

A M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer can become housebound and in some cases, bedridden. Not all M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers are housebound however - it all depends on the severity of the M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .

The key is to rest and not push yourself. If you overdo it, you are likely to find that the M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms will get worse. Click here to learn more about rest...

ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms :
Sleep Disturbances

A M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer will not feel refreshed from sleep.

Insomnia (inability or difficulty in getting to and staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping long hours), are both symptoms of M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .

You can read more about how ME/CFS affects your sleep here...

ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms :
ME/CFS & The Brain

M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers have symptoms similar to concussion, suffering from:

• short-term memory loss (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom)
• confusion
• brain fog (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom)
• and concentration problems (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom)

A M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer's brain struggles to process movement, noise, and light. In fact, sensory overload can become a common problem when you have ME/CFS ...

Even if you are not housebound, sensory overload can make even a short trip to the small local shop an overwhelming, exhausting and demanding experience.

If you are more severely affected, even watching television for more than a few minutes may be too demanding because of the television's stressful, bright, flashing, and loud auditory and visual stimuli. And even listening to the radio, or having a conversation with someone can often be exhausting and just too much for an extremely severely affected sufferer of ME /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ...

To a healthy person, this is hard to relate to - unimaginable perhaps. But to a ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferer, sensory overload is all too real.

Medical studies at Hammersmith Hospital in London have also suggested that M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers have an imbalance of two key chemicals in their brains - choline and creatine.

Researchers suggest that taking fish oil supplements (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) might correct the chemical imbalance.

Sleepydust plan to publish lots more info on brain fog, concentration, and short term memory problems (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms ) and the items and supplements that may help.

If you'd like to be notified about when you can access this info online, sign up to the FREE sleepydust newsletter, and we'll let you know.

Sign up here!

ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms :
Depression

Although not suffered by all ME /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers, one of the most devastating ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms is depression.

Click here to learn more about depression and its symptoms ...

Want to know more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms ?

Check out our ME/CFS book reviews!

If you're looking for some good books to read on ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , Fibromyalgia, and/or related topics, check out the book review section here...

Category: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms And Signs

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