Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of CFS

Although fatigue for six months is the underlying feature in most cases of CFS, other symptoms must be analyzed, because fatigue must be combined with several symptoms to be considered CFS. And doctors must look at the fatigue on an individual-by-individual case.
CFS is difficult to diagnose because of the following reasons :

• There isn’t a diagnostic laboratory test that can tell you whether you have CFS.
• Elimination is key: Before your doctor can diagnose CFS, she must be able to rule out other “imitators,” such as Lyme disease and mono.
  
• Fatigue can be a red flag for a whole host of other illnesses.
  
• CFS can look invisible (kind of like concealer for the dark circles), and many people come to the doctor without looking particularly sick.
  
• The fatigue in CFS can come and go — and you may have a doctor’s appointment during the “go.”
• Symptoms vary from person to person. CFS is more of an individual illness. Some people can’t get up from their beds, and others go about their days, but in a fog, and then collapse later.
• Doctors can’t find a pattern to CFS symptoms. If you aren’t getting the help you need, seek out another doctor, preferably one with another specialty or an open-minded primary care professional who sees the whole picture.

Fortunately, or unfortunately for you, CFS - doesn’t have just a single symptom, such as muscle pain or headaches. Although a cluster of symptoms adds to your misery, the more you have, the easier it is to paint a more identifiable diagnostic portrait of CFS, simplifying diagnosis and expediting proper treatment as your doctor goes over each symptom in detail, one by one.
Based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, eight common symptoms shout, “I have CFS!”