Expert: Suzan Jackson - 8/31/2011

Question
Hi, I am 19 and for the last year and a half I have been dealing with the same symptoms, I used to be a very athletic teenager and then I was hit by what felt like I sinus infection and I didnt treat it. since then for the last year and a half I am constantly tired, if I exert myself I will get sick with a slight fever, headache, sinus pain, clogged ears, alot of my symptoms sound like chronic sinusitis except I have no gren muucs. I have some weeks where I feel like I am getting close to normal and then boom I am hit with the same bad symptoms, what does it sound like to you? I really dont wana have cfs

Answer
Dear Josh -

I'm sorry to hear you have been struggling so much recently.  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but my son was very sick this week (he's 17).

The pattern you are describing DOES sound like CFS...and you're right - you don't want to have it!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) does cause extreme fatigue like you've described and it can cause some sinus congestion, headache, and mild fever, but it also causes many other symptoms which you didn't mention, including recurring sore throat or swollen glands, flu-like achiness, and an intolerance to exercise.  That last symptom is a critical one in CFS:  you may be able to exercise but within hours of any kind of exertion, you suddenly feel as if you have the flu and the resulting flare-up or crash can last for days or even weeks.

Here is a self-quiz for CFS:

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

And more information about CFS (also known as CFIDS):

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

You'll see in the diagnosis section a long list of other conditions that cause fatigue which need to be ruled out before you can be diagnosed with CFS.  You can use this list as a guideline with your doctor to help investigate your fatigue.

You don't mention in your note whether you have seen a doctor about these recurring symptoms.  Only a doctor can determine whether you do have sinusitis or not (green mucus is not always present).

So, overall, my advice to you is to:

1 - Read the information listed above and take the self-test to see if your symptoms match CFS.

2 - Go see your doctor immediately.  Tell him or her what you have told me here.  Since some doctors tend to dismiss fatigue (saying things like "Oh, everyone feels tired sometimes"), emphasize all the other symptoms you have mentioned here.  Explain that something changed dramatically for you 18 months ago.  Tell the doctor how your life has been affected.  Your doctor should immediately order a whole bunch of blood tests - including looking for anemia, thyroid problems, and other common causes of fatigue.  You can use that list I mentioned above as a checklist.

3 - After the initial bloodwork (and assuming no obvious problem was found), talk to your doctor about CFS.  

4 - If your doctor is not familiar with CFS (many aren't), share the information I provided above.  You can also direct your doctor to the CDC's page on CFS (this helps to reassure him or her that CFS is a very real illness, recognized by the CDC):

http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/

Just FYI, the latest research on CFS indicates that it is almost certainly caused or triggered by some sort of infectious agent, though that agent (or agents) have not yet been identified.  If you or your doctor are interested in the latest research on CFS, here is a great website:

http://www.research1st.com/

If it does turn out you have CFS, there are many, many treatments available that can improve symptoms and quality of life - please feel free to contact me again through AllExperts or my blog (below).

I hope this information helps you to find some answers and get some relief.  No matter what the source of your new symptoms, you are not alone and there is help available.  Best of luck to you -

Sue Jackson

www.livewithcfs.blogspot.com