Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
Hello everyone! I sure do hope that this post finds all of you in good spirits. I've been diagnosed with Lupus for two years now. It has been a roller-coaster ride the entire time. Of course fatigue is a part of the Lupus and Ive dealt with it for some time now. Although I was diagnosed Two years ago, I have had symptoms since '96. Doctors said that they were all due to either stress or "Just an allergy". However, recently my Fatigue has been sooooooo much worse. At first I thought I was just being lazy and I would force myself to do things. Next thing you know I would be feeling worse. I've started needing to take naps after work just from complete exhaustion. When I awake an hour or two later I would not feel any better and sometimes worse. Some days I don't feel like getting out of bed. I've been feeling like I have the flu or allergies but when I go to the Doctor they say everything seems fine. I feel like I'm losing my mind!!! I don't know what to do. I've spoken to my Rheumatologist about my fatigue in the past and he has just said I need to exercise more. I've tried that but it makes me feel worse and some new pains in my joints have somewhat diminished my abilities to do certain things, I just have no one to ask about these things and I feel bad talking to my husband about it all the time. We've only been married less than a year and I just feel guilty because he does so much for me and he never complains. I don't want to lose him. Any advice is welcomed! I just want to feel better. Thanks!
I have both CFS and Fibro and while they are extremely similar, I can tell when the CFS is kicking up by the swollen glands, slightly sore throat and flu like feelings. Fibro seems to be more all over body pain (joints and muscles). When I do anything physical like the gym, I am totally exhausted and I hurt everywhere for days afterwards. I still go because I am afraid of getting even worse from inactivity.
Keep complaining. It took me almost 10 years of complaining before my doctor listened to me.
I've run into several people who have been diagnosed with both illnesses. At this point, I'm not sure what to think. Mostly I just deal with my symptoms and try not to worry too much. I know that sounds a little thin, but in the end what else can we do?
There should be a test available soon for CFS....but of course that has been the story for some time now. Try not to be too discouraged, maybe you're just going though a bad patch of things. All these diseases seem to go through cycles of up and down.
I have CFS....my daugher has lupus! Her diagnosis took years. Actually about eight. It went undiagnosed till she gradulated from high school. Anyway, Lupus is a hard disease to diagnose. My daughter used to sleep ENDLESSLY with lupus. On Friday night, her friends would be out, but she would fall asleep after school. For years I thought she was on drugs. She was not. She had muscle and joint pain. After testing and diagnosis, it was discovered that she also had rheumatoid arthritis along with the lupus.
In direct answer to your question. I have learned from experience with my daughter that this endless fatigue is very similar to my CFS fatigue. So, there is probably a fine line between the two illnesses in this particular area. However,people with CFS tend to have normal boodwork and not high ANA counts, as lupus people do!! There are treatments available for you, I"m sure you know. But my daughters flairs always improve with Prednisone, yet another thing unlike CFS.
If you think you have CFS, you need to see another doctor, besides a Rheumy. You could very well have both illnesess....but fatigue and joint pain are definately a symptom of lupus.
Praying you are able to sort this out. Both illnesses are horrid!!
I'm not 100% sure what the link is between Lupus and CFS but I know they are related
Lupus is an Auto Immune disease as you'd know. When peoples immune systems are damaged with toxins Lupus and CFS can result.
Finding a CFS literate Doctor could be a great blessing to you.
Al