Emotional support and counseling may help you and your loved ones deal with the uncertainties and restrictions of this disorder. You may find it therapeutic to join a support group and meet other people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Support groups aren't for everyone, and you may find that a support group adds to your stress rather than relieves it. Experiment and use your own judgment to determine what's best for you.
If you have signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. It can be difficult to absorb all of the information provided during an appointment, so you might want to arrange for a friend or family member to accompany you. Having someone else hear the information can help you later in case there's something you missed or forgot.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis There's no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Symptoms can mimic those of many other health problems, including: Sleep disorders. Chronic fatigue can be caused by sleep disorders. A sleep study can determine if your rest is being disturbed by disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome or insomnia.
Medical problems. Fatigue is a common symptom in several medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes and underactive thyroid hypothyroidism. Practically speaking, this means that the diagnosis process can be lengthy and involve many different tests as your doctor tries to get to the root of your severe fatigue. Pocinki says that there is no one medical specialty that focuses on chronic fatigue syndrome.
Many people find their way to an infectious disease specialist or a rheumatologist in their search for a chronic fatigue doctor. You may see other specialists on your way to a diagnosis, including:. Getting a chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis will involve a physical exam and testing. You may also want to ask how long it will take to get an appointment, and whether you'll be able to speak to the healthcare provider when you call with problems or questions.
You'll also want to find out whether the healthcare provider is accepting new patients , if the office will accept your insurance and vice versa , and whether payment or co-pays are due at the time of your appointment. Before making a final decision, you might want to consider a "get acquainted" appointment where you can meet the healthcare provider face to face, ask more questions and get a feel for whether this is someone you'd like to work with.
Managing chronic fatigue syndrome requires teamwork between the practitioner and patient, so it's important for you to have a positive relationship. If it's not possible to meet this way, treat your first appointment in the same way so you can decide whether this healthcare provider is a good fit for you. Learn about treatment and lifestyle changes to cope with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated November 19, American College of Rheumatology. Updated March Find a support group. CO Cure. This will allow you to be as active as possible without causing your symptoms to get worse. Avoid pushing yourself to do more on days you feel well.
Take rest breaks during and between activities. You may also need to change your sleeping habits and try medicines to treat some of your symptoms. This may lead to feelings of frustration and anxiety. It can also lead to depression. So can working with a counselor. This could be a period of high physical or emotional stress or a major life event. But for some people, they develop gradually over weeks or months. Symptoms can change in a day, and from day to day.
And how severe the symptoms are can differ from person to person. These core symptoms are:. These may be just as common as the core symptoms.
Some may grieve the loss of the active life they once had. If you feel depressed, talk with your doctor. Because the symptoms can be vague and can be caused by many things, you might not pay attention to the problem for several weeks or months. That's because the diagnosis often is not clear for some time. Most people are not able to work or go to school full-time. Some people are able to do some of their usual activities at work or school.
They often have to cut down on social and recreational activities to save their energy. They may have trouble getting out of bed or need help with basic activities such as dressing, eating, and bathing. But this often causes their symptoms to get worse the next day. Many call this a "crash. But over time, this "push-crash" cycle can lead to worsening symptoms and more days recovering from doing too much.
But it seems to be most common in people who are 25 to 45 years of age. It can happen to both men and women, but it seems to be more common in women. Watchful waiting refers to a period of time in which you are being watched by your doctor but are not getting treatment. But if your fatigue has not improved after 1 to 2 months of self-care, or if fatigue won't go away and limits your usual activities, call your doctor. Depending on your symptoms, your family doctor may refer you to a specialist like a cardiologist , rheumatologist , neurologist , or pain management specialist.
So you may also be referred to a physiatrist , psychologist , or psychiatrist for treatment. Sometimes they may have you track your symptoms, activity, and rest in a diary. Or they may use a variety of tests to rule out other conditions.
Based on your symptoms, the doctor may do additional tests to look for signs of a chronic infection, autoimmune disease, or low levels of hormones. If there is a concern about your immune system, your doctor may refer you to another specialist like an immunologist. Start by listing your worst symptoms—the ones that make it hardest to get through the day. With your doctor, focus first on treating those symptoms.
Decide whether a specialist might be helpful for any of them. Learning how to manage your activity can help you be as active as possible without causing your symptoms to get worse.
This includes:. Good sleep habits can help improve the quality of your sleep. If you also try medicine for sleep, it's best to start on a low dose. Certain antidepressants help with sleep, mood, and chronic pain, so your doctor may suggest trying one. Your doctor may have you wear pressure stockings, put your legs up while sitting, or increase your salt intake.
Your doctor may also suggest medicines like fludrocortisone or midodrine. Different kinds of pain can be treated in different ways. If one treatment doesn't work, you and your doctor can try another until you find what works best for you. Visit your doctor every few months to help track your symptoms and check for any need to change your treatment. Along with the treatment you get from your doctor, you might find that other treatments help too.
Some people may try different diets, vitamins, or supplements to help manage their symptoms. If you try a new diet, vitamin, or supplements, pay attention to how your body and symptoms respond to it. It may help to work closely with your doctor to figure out what works best for you. Your mind and body are connected and affect each other. Physical illnesses can be made worse—or better—by your feelings and attitudes, and vice versa. Then work with your doctor to learn ways to cope with your symptoms.
Get emotional support from your health professionals as well as from your family and friends. Try to be patient. Like any medical illness, depression needs to be treated. Along with daily self-care and the treatment you get from your doctor, you might find that other treatments help too.
There are safe nontraditional treatments that can relieve pain and stress, ease muscle tension, help you feel better and healthier, and improve your outlook and quality of life. Some types of yoga may be very intense and cause your symptoms to worsen. Look for a gentle form of yoga. It may be best to start off with short sessions at home so that you can take breaks.
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