Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis

So How Do You Diagnose ME/CFS/PVFS?

First - What Are We Diagnosing Here?

Well, first it's important to point out that each 'name' has its own definition : Throughout the years, as the medical community has tried to pinpoint just what this illness is, they've come up with different names, each with a similar but different definition.

As time has passed, it has emerged that they were actually looking at various sub-groups of illnesses. So to make it easier to refer to this 'collection of labels' it was agreed to refer to them as 'ME/CFS'.

Please note: Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are believed to fall under the umbrella term 'ME/CFS'. To make it easier for you to read through this page, Sleepydust will use the term 'ME/CFS' to refer to them collectively. But it's worth bearing in mind that each of these separate terms have similar but different definitions.

ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis

The most common way for doctors make a ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis is by process of elimination. However, research is emerging that ME/CFS (or to be more specific, particular subgroups that fall under this 'umbrella term') may be identified through certain medical tests.

Diagnosis By Process Of Elimination

Certain conditions must be ruled out first before a ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis can be made. These include:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Lupus
• Multiple Sclerosis
• diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes or Anaemia

Overlapping Conditions

There are also conditions, such as Fibromyalgia, which have overlapping symptoms.

The main difference between Fibromyalgia and M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that Fibromyalgia sufferers experience more pain (although there is obviously much more to Fibromyalgia than this).

If you think you may have ME/CFS, but suffer greatly from pain, then Fibromyalgia is worth looking into as it might well be that you have Fibro instead of (or as well as) ME/CFS . More about Fibromyalgia ...

How Do You Make Sure Your Doctor Knows The Correct Facts About ME/CFS?

There is unfortunately still a lot to be learned about ME/CFS and no universal cure or treatment has yet been found. However, when it comes to dealing with the condition, we do have a somewhat clearer idea of what sufferers should and should not do.

But it is up to us, the ME/CFS sufferers themselves, to correct the misinformation and disbelief among society and the medical profession, about our condition.

If you do only two things, please:

1) Give you doctor a copy of the Canadian ME/CFS Criteria (2003). The criteria was put together by a panel of international ME/CFS specialists and has been described as the most important document ever published in the defense of ME/CFS patients.

Click here for the Canadian ME/CFS Criteria (2003)...

2) Free Sleepydust Educational Video About ME/CFS - Please help to educate people about this illness by letting as many people as you know about the video. Together we can make a difference.

Click here for the FREE ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome video...

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Category: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis, Diagnostic Criteria, Clinical Definition