March 16, 2010
What tests determine chronic fatigue syndrome?
I noticed that I have been feeling really weak and really tired. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy, but it seems like that isn’t the cause, because the doctor gave me a sleep apnea machine and prescribe me with Provigil and Ive been using it everyday. It’s been like a year now and I still feel weak and my sleep was never refreshing. Could this be chronic fatigue syndrome or barrs empsom virus? Where do I go to get tested for CFS? I am sure that is the cause, because even with increase dosage of provigil I still feel really low energy…Any ideas?
One Response to “What tests determine chronic fatigue syndrome?”
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March 16th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Diagnosing CFS is difficult because there’s no test for it (no blood test, MRI, CT or any other test), it’s symptoms are shared by many other conditions, it doesn’t show as a physical symptom, it has remissions and relapses, the symptoms vary from one person to another in the type of symptoms, the number of symptoms and the severity, and no two people have exactly the same symptoms.
Because CSF can look like many other conditions, it’s important not to self-diagnose. Your doctor should consider a diagnosis of CSF is these two criteria are met:
1. You have an unexplained, persistent fatigue that’s not due to exertion, isn’t greatly relieved by rest, hasn’t been a lifelong problem and results in a significant reduction in your previous level of activity.
2. 4 or more of these symptoms have been present for at least 6 months:
Impaired memory/concentration
Extreme, prolonged exhaustion and sickness following physical or mental activity
Unrefreshing sleep
Muscle pain
Multijoint pain without swelling or redness
Headaches of a new type or severity
Sore throat that’s occurs frequently or is recurring
Tender/sore cervical (neck) or axillary (armpit) lymph nodes
Your weakness, unrefreshing sleep and lack of energy are not compelling signs of CSF. They are typical of sleep disorder as well as major depression, to name two conditions. Fatigue and weakness are also two of the symptoms of mononucleosis, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr (not barrs empson) virus.
I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor to sit down and discuss your ongoing sleep problem, weakness and lack of energy.
Just out of curiosity, did you initially have polysomnography? Are you using a CPAP or BiPAP? What’s your Provigil dosage and frequency?