"And now, I'm glad I didn't know...
the way it all would end,
the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance.
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd a had to miss...the dance."
From "The Dance"
Written by Tony Arata and performed by Garth Brooks,
this is my favorite song.
CFIDS may be diagnosed using the following criteria. Since CFIDS shares many similarities with other disorders such as mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Lyme disease, post-polio syndrome and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, it is important to rule out other illness that may be causing symptoms.
If you need help finding a qualified doctor to treat CFIDS, please visit the links on the next page.
Symptoms used to diagnose CFIDS
Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong), is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest, and results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities. The concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration
sore throat
tender lymph nodes
muscle pain
multi-joint pain, without joint swelling or redness
headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
unrefreshing sleep
and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. These symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have pre-dated the fatigue.
Because these symptoms may also be indicative of other illness or diseases, a thorough physical examination and laboratory tests should be done to rule out other causes.
This is according to the case definition published in the December 15, 1994 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Here's a link to About.com where you can find out more information on CFIDS, fibromyalgia and related disorders:
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