Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: What it is and How to Cope

While there are many new scientific studies bringing us closer to understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and demonstrating that it is, in fact, a "real" illness, there is unfortunately still a great deal of skepticism in the medical community concerning its severity and validity, regardless of what the research states.

I, myself, have been to a number of uninformed physicians, one who even had the audacity to tell me, "It's impossible to have a chronic illness-- you're only in your early 20's." Now, if this statement, which, by the way, was not backed up with diagnostic bloodwork, a thorough examination, or common sense, isn't reason enough to seriously question one's medical license, I don't know what is. I can't tell you how many doctor's offices I have left insulted and crying out of utter frustration because many physicians, "don't wish to treat someone who is believed to have CFS", or because they want to dope me up on antidepressants to, "rule out any psychological components." "Ruling out psychological components", to me, is a polite way of saying, "I think you're a crazy hypochondriac who will respond to hefty dose of a Prozac."

While Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does connote images of a tired, possibly lazy person who just can't seem to get out of bed, the illness has so much more depth than this, has absolutely nothing to do with laziness, and is more than simple fatigue. CFS is said to be the "sister illness" of Fibromyalgia, and is characterized by extreme fatigue, being physically ill for at least 24 hours after exercise, headaches, unrefreshing sleep, nausea, neurological problems, and commonly digestive complaints, as well, all for a period of at least six months straight. While the illness comes on slowly for some, for many it is the mysterious end result of an odd flu-like illness. Currently, there are many theories on its cause, but no definitive answers. In the UK, CFS is a more recognized disorder, and health officials were at least considerate enough to sufferers to give it a well-deserved scientific-sounding name-myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME.