Daisy:
I will list a few here that I can recollect from years ago but your doc should be capable of knowing what you need...If he specializes in CFS, it will be right up his alley and he will do the proper blood work for the process of elimination. I cant stress or emphasize more that a family physician isnt qualified to diagnosis CFS...please do yourself a favor and look for a doctor that specializes in CFS if your doc doesnt.

(Lupus, Lymes disease, Aids, Thyroid, female hormones, lympthoma, Epstien Barr Virus, Low Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Magnisuim, MS, Parasites, Rhem Arthritis, Candidias, Adrenaline (coritsol), Infections...and so on) Remember the doc may not run all of these and may run others. He may order a sleep apnea test on you. He probably will order an MRI also. He may test for parasites in your stools.

Basically all my symptoms hit me overnight or I hit rock bottom fast. Flu-like maliase is the way I would describe then. With CFS it effects you both cognitively and physically. Some are effected mentally - with secondary depression. You should notice a differnce in your brain functioning also....talk to the doc in regard to that.

I hate to say it but CFS is somewhat a bizarre illness and it is a syndrome meaning it has lots of symptoms and you have lots of aliments with it. There are days I feel like I have been ran over by a Big Mac truck and others arent as painful. I wish you much luck in seeking a proper diagnosis and hopefully your doc will take action and you wont have a long waiting period.

The Mayo Clinic site, the CIFDS Association of America site, and the CDC all have these lists readily available. I literally printed one out and checked off/dated when each test was run. I kept (and keep) ALL my medical records. It's good to be proactive!

Hi Daisy1965,

I sure know how you feel with the pain, I think the NFA, National Fibromyalgia Association would have this information. I would like to know how they do the testing for lyme, because my sister has a friend who had most of my symptoms and it turned out she did have lyme.

Does anyone know how to get tested

Sadmar

I've been trying to hunt down an actual CFS specialist in my area but am not coming up with anything certain. Maybe if my FM/CFS support group meets this week, someone will know there. I'm sure I can find somebody sooner or later.

4sons, thanks for the suggestions. I'll check that out. In the meantime, one thing I do appreciate is that my internist is giving me a trial of levothyroxine even though my TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 appear to be normal - - on the theory that you need to treat the symptoms, not the labs. My hair has been falling out a lot over the past couple of months.

Some of this could be perimenopause too. I'm 43, and my mom's periods stopped in her late 30s. At least the adderrall my doc prescribed helps with my ability to think straight and remember stuff. It was really bad before.

P.S. Sorry, I don't know about lyme testing SadMar.

Hi Sadmar: just answering your question here -A doctor draws blood to test for Lyme's disease.

Daisy:
I just wanted to say I really feel for you and the situation you are in. I know how you feel because at one time I was there and this illness and all its aliments are hard to endure at one time. Its like one day I was at the peak of my career, in love, financially stable, an exercise fanatic, and strong and healthy....and the next day boom....I was weak, brain dead, physically bedridden and so sick with the flulike symptoms that I didnt know what was wrong with me. I encourage you to be strong and keep pressing on, for this illness is alot to handle at one time. It can dramatically change our lives and I sincerely feel for you. I am here if you need support and you hang in there.

And yes it does suck

Danette, thanks for your support. I really do appreciate it! :-)

I was diagnosed with the epstien barr virus a few years back, now I have hep C to contend with.