Expert: Suzan Jackson - 12/15/2008

Question
Hi, I heard that a sore throat was a common symptom of CFS. I was wondering if this sore throat comes with physical signs for example swelling. I've had a sore throat for about 6 months now I went to a doctor and he gave me antibiotics (amoxicillin and later when that didn't work cephalexin)none of it helped. Do you have any recommendations?
thank you for your time

Answer
Dear Dari -

Yes, sore throat and swollen glands are symptoms of CFS, but there are typically many other symptoms as well.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very complex illness that affects almost every part of the body, causing problems with the immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system.  In addition to sore throat or swollen glands, CFS typically causes other symptoms like exhaustion and muscle pain, cognitive problems (i.e. brain fog), and flu-like symptoms.  

You can take this online quiz to help determine if you meet the criteria for CFS (it's also known as CFIDS):

http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/do-i-have-cfids.asp

If CFS sounds like it fits, there is lots of excellent information online at the CFIDS Association's website.  Here is their About CFIDS section that includes information on diagnosis and treatment:

http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/default.asp

If it sounds as if you might have CFS, then you should return to your doctor and tell him about what you've learned about it.  Unfortunately, there are still many doctors who don't understand CFS, and there is not yet any test to tell if you have it for sure.  In order to be diagnosed, your doctor needs to first rule out many other similar illnesses with blood tests (there's a list including at the CFIDS Association's information, above).

If your doctor "doesn't believe in" CFS, you can direct him or her to the Center for Disease Control, which published criteria for diagnosing CFS:

www.cdc.gov/cfs

A long-lasting sore throat often means mono - have you been tested for mono?  Mono often lasts for 2-3 months and is a very common trigger for CFS.  Basically, you start with mono, your body fights the virus that causes it, but then your immune system stays over-active, causing the mono-like symptoms to continue.  About 11% of the people who get mono develop CFS afterward.

If you haven't already, you should undergo a very thorough examination and testing by your doctor.  He or she can run blood tests for many illnesses that may rule things out and help to narrow down the diagnosis.  Also, it is critically important to find a doctor (or doctors) who will take you seriously and fully investigate all diagnostic possibilities as well as all treatment options.  I know how difficult it is to find a good doctor, especially when you are so ill (it took me a year of going from doctor to doctor to find one who finally diagnosed me correctly).  It is worth the effort, though.


I hope this information helps you to get an accurate diagnosis.

Sue Jackson

www.livewithcfs.blogspot.com