Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatments

In recent years, it’s become quite common to read about celebrities such as Madonna taking vitamin B12 injections to get more energy. Is there truth to the matter?

It is a known fact that vitamin B12 helps maintain various parts of the body, including the skin and hair, the nervous system and  the liver; more importantly, it has been linked to the function of the immune system - which is often a significant component in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - where it is weakened from one reason or another. Consequently, vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms can definitely result in extreme constant fatigue.

Fortunately, vitamin B12 deficiency can be found out through a simple blood test. If indeed your body does not get enough vitamin B12, which could happen from a variety of  reasons: not eating certain foods, inability to absorb it properly, etc, then getting vitamin B12 shot may indeed be helpful for you.

In fact, some doctors consider getting vitamin B12 shots to be a crucial component of a treatment for CFS sufferers regardless of their cause, as it is so frequently  helpful.

These shots can either be administered in the doctor’s office by a nurse (or the doctor himself), or even at home by yourself, after getting some minimal training.

Personally speaking, this is another one of the treatments I have tried. I can say I’ve taken B12 injections on a weekly basis (though I’ve read online that a bi-weekly shot is recommended), though admittedly I never gathered the courage to give the shots myself and preferred to go to the doctor’s office every time. In addition, I’ve used a vitamin B12 spray under the tongue, twice a day (I never really understood why it must be under the tongue - perhaps for quicker absorption?).

Since my improvement occurred roughly during this time, I can only conclude that this is one of the few treatments that has been helpful for me. I cannot say I’m cured, but my condition has certainly improved. However, don’t go start giving yourself B-12 shots (I’m not sure whether you can even do that without a prescription). Discuss this with your doctor and find out whether you have a B12 deficiency. And if this case, work out a plan to treat it - preferably with a specialist who is very familiar with these issues.

On a final note, if you live in New York City, I’ll be more than happy to give you the name of the doctor who treated me (or you can just search for him on the web, you’re likely  to locate him the same way I did).

As always, please keep me - and the readers of this blog - updated whether this has been successful for you.

• Get Vitamin B12 - Liquid, 4 oz
• B12 w/B6 Sublingual - 30 tab
• B12 Lozenges - 2000 mcg 100 lozenges

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder about which little is known. The reasons for onset, etiology or cause of CFS are still largely unknown. In spite of the fact that more than one million individuals suffer from the disorder in the United States alone, physicians are still focused primarily on symptoms, rather than causality. There are no physical signs to alert an individual or your medical practitioner to the presence of CFS, nor are there any conclusive diagnostic laboratory tests designed to diagnose it. The only thing more difficult than diagnosing and treating chronic fatigue syndrome, is living with it!

The onset

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome differs from other chronic illnesses in that about three-fourths of occurrences come with what can only be described as an abrupt onset, often presenting suddenly and, seemingly, out of nowhere. Other instances of chronic fatigue spring up after a long period of mild symptoms, generally triggered by a traumatic event or stress. While suggestive, the link between stress and chronic fatigue remains only that…suggestive.

Etiology or Cause

The research into CFS has been extensive, published virtually around the world and in every scientific journal and magazine you can think of, the interest is intense as the disorder reaches epidemic levels. Every organization, from the National Science Foundation (NSF), to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have researched this complex and puzzling phenomenon, but to no avail. There are a number of powerful hypotheses but as of yet no solid data to support any of them. While anecdotal, it seems that the disorder only recently, in fact over the past three and one-half decades, has burst onto the scene, peaking the interest of scientists, researchers, and the medical community as a whole.

Transmission

No solid conclusions have been drawn pertaining to transmission of chronic fatigue. In fact there is no evidence at all to support the proposition that CFS may be contagious. Nevertheless, multiple cases of the disorder have been diagnosed in the same family. There does seem to be powerful suggestive evidence that chronic fatigue may indeed have a genetic component, however, the jury is still out. More research is needed to prove or disprove the suggestion that CFS is or is not genetic.

Symptomology

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is categorized by incapacitating, debilitating, and even totally disabling fatigue. CFS presents with a myriad of symptoms, many resembling other illnesses. Symptoms of CFS mimic those of several other disorders, making it extremely difficult to properly diagnose. Chronic fatigue symptoms are similar to those of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, mononucleosis, and even Lyme disease. The symptoms are widespread, and are usually broken down into three categories, they are listed below.

General or physical symptoms:

Many sufferers of CFS find it nearly impossible to perform any sort of physical exertion. When engaged in physical activity, such as exercise or any sort of physical labor, the CFS sufferer may experience shortness of breath, light-headedness, and even blackouts. While some individuals are able to conquer the work week, usually exerting tremendous effort to do so, many more are bedridden, forced to rely solely on others, totally disabled. Problems compound in the ear, nose and throat area, appearing to be endocrine driven symptoms (glands and hormones). Sore throats and swollen lymph nodes occur, perhaps suggestive of an infection (antigen/antibody reaction), as when the body attempts to fight off a foreign body or when the body is undergoing an extreme stress reaction. While allergies develop and symptoms become more severe, fevers often present as a symptom as well. Additionally, CFS sufferers will experience night sweats, weight change with little or no apparent change in dietary habits, and they will often suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and bladder dysfunction. Interestingly, many of the conditions listed above are often present during periods of exaggerated stress.

Neurological symptoms:

Sleep disorders are a common symptom of CFS and it has been suggested that increased pain sensitivity may contribute to the restlessness and sleeplessness many experience. Chronic fatigue sufferers often experience difficulty with their senses, mainly in the form of vision changes and sensitivity to bright light, olfactory changes (odor perception) and sensitivity to certain chemicals have been documented. Disorientation may also occur with CFS, while some suffer with problems of balance and spatial perception. Trouble with concentration and memory have also been reported, seeming to present along with impaired word usage during a phenomenon called "brain fog." Some living with CFS are even subject to seizure-like episodes and unusual and disturbing nightmares.

Emotional problems:

Depression is often connected with chronic fatigue syndrome. Along with depression, CFS sufferers experience suicidal ideation, anxiety (with or without panic attacks), anger and rage issues, and mood swings ranging from pronounced manic episodes to suicidal depression. The depression experienced alongside CFS may be chemically induced, due to a serotonin and norepinephrine imbalance, as well as a consequence of external events, such as severe pain, disability, and hopelessness due to lack of treatment options.

CFS varies in degree and expression, type and severity, from one patient to the next. In the same individual, chronic fatigue may wax and wane from one day to the next, even hour to hour. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms may be mild to acute, fleeting to chronic, in the same individual and from day-to-day.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome crosses all barriers and touches individuals from all walks of life. There are no clear ethnic, socioeconomic or age-related factors…anyone may be affected. However, there does seem to be a gender issue, with twice as many women as men presenting with the disorder, particularly women between 30 and 50 years of age. Of the known cases of CFS, those with verifiable diagnoses, at least twice as many women have the disease as men. It also appears to affect pregnant women at a much higher rate than the rest of the population. The reason or reasons for the gender discrepancy, like the difficulty with the initial diagnosis, is problematic and requires more research. The complexity of the disorder, combined with a lack of any sort of diagnostic standard, results in a medical community that is reactive, required to treat symptoms, with little or no real idea of etiology (cause). The impact of chronic fatigue on the lives of those suffering from this debilitating and disabling disorder is unfathomable to those who aren’t living it on a daily basis. Like Chronic Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome creates a constellation of secondary and tertiary consequences, some as bad if not worse than the original condition. Until etiology (cause) is established, CFS sufferers deal with, on a daily basis, one of the most debilitating of all disorders. While their load may be lightened with an individually designed and implemented treatment strategy, the ultimate treatment, a cure, still appears elusive.

Author: John Zajaros

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Stress tends to set off major physical reactions that create chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (many do not differentiate between the two). Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome that involves chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness. According to the 2000 American College of Rheumatology Fact Sheet, two percent of the United States population, primarily women of childbearing age, are affected by this syndrome.

Although criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia have been established, controversy exists as to whether this diagnosis represents a unique syndrome. The cause is unknown and no pathologic characteristics have been identified that are specific for the condition.

Treatment consists of attention to the specific symptoms reported by the patient. Some nursing aids may be used to treat the diffuse muscle aching and stiffness.

Tricycles antidepressants are used to improve or restore normal sleep patterns and individualized programs of exercise are used to decrease muscle weakness and discomfort and to improve the general deconditioning that occurs in these individuals.

Managing Treatment

Typically, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have endured their symptoms for a long period. They may if feel their symptoms have not been taken seriously. Nurses need to pay special attention to supporting these individuals and providing encouragement as they begin their program of therapy.

Patients support groups may be helpful. Careful listening to patient’s descriptions of their concerns and symptoms is essential to helping them make changes necessary to improve their quality of life.

The first step to minimizing fibromyalgia, is to develop an awareness of when and how the condition affects you. Then, take time to learn a few relaxation techniques and deep breathing. To facilitate healing, take time to perform these simple treatments.

1. Catch an afternoon nap

Experts say that people who get the afternoon swoon to put the phone on voice mail, turn the ringer off, and steal a 20 to 30-minute snooze.

The later in the day you nap, the more likely you will enter deep sleep, so it is better you nap in the early or midafternoon. The longer you sleep, the greater the chance you will enter deep sleep and wake up groggy and worse than before.

Personally speaking, this is actually effective. But unfortunately it’s quite hard to take a nap when you’re at work.

2. Watch your meds

Staying energized means paying close attention to everything that goes into your mouth, medications included. Antihistamines, high blood pressure drugs, and cough suppressants can all make you tired. But plenty of other common medicines can also leave you feeling lethargic.

Many people assume that their fatigue is coming from headache, arthritis, or whatever and do not realize that it is really coming from the medications. If you are taking medicine and often find yourself feeling groggy or low on energy, it is highly recommended that you should talk to your doctor about the side effects of medications and asking for alternatives to drugs that may be sapping your energy.

Again, this too I have felt. From my experience, medications that make people drowsy have a much stronger effect on people suffering from CFS. Not much we can do about it though.

3. Break out boredom

It is all about exercise that is refreshing versus exercise that is not. That is why it is important to find some exercise that is enjoyable or challenging. Taking regular breaks throughout the week to engage in some exercise or other physically demanding, but interesting, activities should help prevent chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.

It is important to note that some doctors say that execrise may actually make CFS worse (temporarily) for some peolpe. So be wary - if you feel noticably more tired after exercise, consult with your doctor.

4. Feed the machine

Often, even the modest calorie restriction can lead to marginal vitamin levels. And if you are short on vitamins, you may feel tired as a result.

Consuming fewer than 1,800 calories per day is a risk factor for low-nutrient intake simply because nutrient intake is tied to calorie intake. Most health experts advices dieters who eat fewer than 1,800 calories per day must learn to take multivitamin or mineral supplement.

Fibromyalgia is a medical emergency necessitating early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to eliminate the causative factor; otherwise, the joint may be destroyed relatively quickly.

So the next time you feel stressed out, never hesitate to ask for a rest. The treatment of fibromyalgia is focused on the physiologic mechanisms that must be understood in the context of the body as a whole. The person, as a living system, has both an internal and an external environment, between which information and matter are continuously exchanged.

Hence, the goal of treating and managing chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia is best achieved within the interaction of the body’s subsystem to produce a dynamic balance or steady state. In this way, all subsystems are in harmony with each other and the probabilities of developing fibromyalgia are lessened.

Although the following book may be somewhat exaggerated How To Beat Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome In 30 Days (though I don’t know, I haven’t tried all the methods myself), it has some useful tips that are helpful.

Author: Lee Dobbins

Lee Dobbins writes for http://chronicfatigue.topicgiant.com where you can learn about causes, symptoms and treatments for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.