CFS Tests and Diagnosis

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    Crushing tiredness that doesn’t diminish with rest, CFS can wreck lives. It’s also hard to diagnose, so patients may be seen as hypochondriacs. CFS affects more women than men and is seen mostly between the ages of 30 and 50. The true incidence of CFS is hard to gauge as it often goes undiagnosed due to its varying symptoms.  
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 28 September 2015

There's no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. A variety of medical tests are done to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms. 

CFS and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

Some people believe that CFS and ME are two separate conditions while others believe that the two conditions are the same but symptoms are different. Myalgic means muscle aches or pains and Encephalomyelitis is inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. 

When fatigue is the main symptom and there is no evidence of imflammation, it is called CFS. 

A doctor will usually diagnose it after evaluating your symptoms. Some tests are usually done to rule out other causes of your tiredness (fatigue) or other symptoms.  Symptoms should have lasted for at least four months in adults and three months in children and young adults.

Changed
20/Jul/2017
Community
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Neurological Conditions
Condition
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Stories

  • A woman lying in pain due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia
    What is the difference between Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have many overlapping symptoms with chronic pain and fatigue being the most common threads.  Dr. Shital Raval explains the differences between the two conditions and the different diagnostic criteria Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS is a medical condition with an unknown cause, presenting initially with constant or recurring fatigue for 6 months or more. Myalgic encephalitis or ME is the now the internationally accepted term for CFS. Fibromyalgia or…
  • An image of a male person hunched over his work desk
    When More Exercise is Not The Answer
    After years of treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome like a psychological disorder and telling people that they could exercise their way out of it, a new thinking has now emerged after a re-analysis of the PACE trial data. Read on to find out more: The Lancet study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: In September 2016, authors of a Lancet paper study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which was released in 2011, revealed their raw data. Independent scientists such as David Tuller and several patients…
  • Movies and Documentaries on Health in 2017
    Shivani Maheshwari brings you a list of 10 movies and documentaries on health released in 2017. It is a random selection, with no preference or bias. They were picked up because they featured prominently on social media. The dominance of American staple probably makes a telling statement that more work needs to be done in the health sector in India, in terms of films, features, docudramas, narratives, and motion pictures. Hopefully, 2018 will be better. Watch them if you can. Many are available…
  • Image: A woman in a black dress appeals to people to raise awareness about fibromyalgia
    Listen to the Voices of People Living with Chronic Invisible Illnesses
    Swati Agrawal, who has Fibromyalgia, appeals to others in the community to start speaking about their invisible illness to raise awareness, remove prejudices and advocate for more equal and friendly world. If you have a story to share, write in to us. You can't see that I am unwell. You can’t tell that I have multiple Chronic Invisible Illnesses by talking to me, or by looking at me. I will tell you the customary "I am fine" to "How are you". This is the story of all spoonies. Our illness is…
  • Image: A woman in a blue dress in a room sharing her experience with Fibromyalgia and Depression
    A Lack of Diagnosis does NOT mean an Absence of Illness
    Swati Neogy is not lazy. She has a condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which causes extreme fatigue, together with allied problems like body ache, hypertension and sugar level fluctuations and even partial memory loss. She has had to battle misleading perceptions, even by doctors. Finally she now accepts her condition and wishes to spread awareness. Swati, please tell us a bit about your condition  I am a patient of SEID/CFS (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease/Chronic Fatigue…
  • Soothing your Body and Soul with Creative Art
    Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body. Art and craft is a source of healing the mind and body. Creative pursuits can be transformed into healing arts, which, in turn, transform you. "He who works with his hands is a laborer; He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; He who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist." Francis of Assisi The healing powers of…
  • Image: A woman stands with a poster showing her support for fibro warriors
    It Took Two Years to get a Proper Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
    Swati Agrawal, a fibromyalgia patient keenly wishes for more awareness and treatment for this incurable, misdiagnosed and misunderstood, invisible illness. Find out how she maintains her health. Listen to her in the video below. New Delhi, 12 May 2016: Well, you know what they say about best laid schemes of mice. In my case, that pretty much sums up Fibromyalgia. In fact, I think Robert Burns would have been impressed with how earnestly fibromyalgia made the schemes of my life go awry. Chronic…
  • Stanford Medicine: Arts and Humanities in Medicine
    The world of medicine is beginning to increasingly acknowledge the potential of expressive arts therapies such as art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing and play in the context of healing, treatment, psychotherapy, counselling and rehabilitation. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement and play acting allow individuals of all ages to express deep-seated thoughts and feelings, improve physical, mental and emotional well-being and boost self-esteem and…
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms and Signs
    Fatigue with all of the following features:  New or specific onset  Persistent and/or recurrent   Reduction in activity level  Unexplained by any other conditions  Post-exertional depression and/or fatigue (seen after 24 hours and with slow recovery time) One or more of the following symptoms:  Muscle and/or joint pain at multiple places and without any inflammation  Sleep problems such as insomnia, hypersomnia, unrefreshing sleep, disturbed sleep-wake cycle  Painful…
  • Stages of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    The prognosis and clinical course of the disorder varies considerably. Some patients don’t recover for years due to poor recovery and high relapse rates. Lower recovery rates and higher relapse rates are associated with those who have had CFS for many years. Children can also be badly affected. Ones who have mild-to-moderate symptoms are more likely than adults to go into remission. If left untreated, CFS can lead to social loneliness, depression, deconditioning (weakness due to inactivity) and…