My diagnosis took years and years. I have seen my rheumatologist since I was 19 years old. I am 42 years old now. I still get mixed up. We go from autoimmune to fibro to CF , and IC. It is all overlapping conditions. It is all autoimmune stuff. Good luck.

Well, first they checked my TSH (thyroid) and my results were just alittle high, but doc put me on thyroid medicine. Next they check my natural killer cells, those were extremely low. Took a supplement (don't remember the name) for awhile and the natural killer cells increase. They checked my cortisol levels. They check female hormone levels. They put me on antidepressants. They did alot of other blood tests, so many I can't remember all of them. In the U.S. chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed by exclusion. They need to rule out all the other possible disease that may cause fatigue such as lupus, MS, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, etc. A lot of my test were order by a nurse practitioner in an alternative medicine clinic. Some were order by my regular general practitioner. Finally I saw 2 rhematologists (sp?) and they looked at all the lab work and diaganosed me with CFS. It took over a year of lots of lab work, lots of trial and error with supplements and medicine. It is not an easy process. They even sent me to an endocrinologist to double check the thyroid condition. Hopefully you can find a good general practitioner that believes that CFS is a real disease, can order all the blood work to rule out lupus, hypothyroidism, MS, etc. Be prepared for lots of blood work and maybe even seeing lots of different specialists. Good luck. We're here for you.

Hi JenGG,

I wanted to let you know that I am getting off the steroids for my adrenal insufficiency as I found out the cause. It's mold in my breast caused by the procedure I had five years ago where a biopsy clip was left in my breast. I been diagonosed with biotoxin disease. To find out if you have a biotoxin disease it's a five minute test. Go to www.chronicneurotoxins.com This disease has taken so many twists and turns but I am finally getting treated.

JenT36 I also had many sore throats and many antibiotics but I'm told antibiotics are not good for biotoxin diseases in some cases and I think it has to do with a certain genotype. Some people can't excrete toxins.

Do you have any doctors nearby that are cfs specialists? Possibly thats what you need if your looking for a dx. We are all different. I never had the typical sore throat.
Take heed of Sharon`s advice about biotoxin disease, it is probably much more prevalant than many would care to admit.

It took years for my to find out I still had a dx that was given to me in my 20's I thought it was gone. I am 45 and I still have it. EPV. I went to the Neurologist and had 14 blood tests taken that the regular Dr hadn't taken. Then they sent me to the Fibromyalgia specialist at the Rheumotology center. So, like someone said find out about going to specialists and try to keep track of what hurts how often. I started with compaints in my back which led to an MRI before I got anywhere. Don't give up until you make sure everything has been checked and you are satisfied.