The misdiagnosis of CFS None of the definitions of CFS defines M.E., so what do they define? What does a diagnosis of CFS actually mean? Why is every diagnosis of CFS merely a MISdiagnosis?
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Copyright © Jodi Bassett December 2006. This version updated January 2011. From www.hfme.org
The fact that a person qualifies for a diagnosis of Oxford Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fukuda (CDC) CFS, or either of the Australian CFS definitions (a) does not mean that the patient has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), and (b) does not mean that the patient has any other distinct and specific illness named ‘CFS.’ A diagnosis of CFS – based on these or any of the other CFS definitions – can only ever be a misdiagnosis.
The reason for this is that despite the fact that the new name and definition of CFS were created in a response to an outbreak of what was unmistakably M.E., this new name and definition did not describe the known signs, symptoms, history and pathology of M.E. It described a disease process which did not, and could not exist. (Hooper et al. 2001, [Online]) (Dowsett n.d.a. [Online]) (Hyde 2006, [Online]) As M.E. expert Dr Byron Hyde explains:
Do not for one minute believe that CFS is simply another name for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It is not. The CDC 1988 definition of CFS describes a non-existing chimera based upon inexperienced individuals who lack any historical knowledge of this disease process. The CDC definition is not a disease process. It is (a) a partial mix of infectious mononucleosis /glandular fever, (b) a mix of some of the least important aspects of M.E. and (c) what amounts to a possibly unintended psychiatric slant to an epidemic and endemic disease process of major importance. Any disease process that has major criteria, of excluding all other disease processes, is simply not a disease at all; it doesn't exist. The CFS definitions were written in such a manner that CFS becomes like a desert mirage: The closer you approach, the faster it disappears and the more problematic it becomes (2006, [Online]).
As Professor Malcolm Hooper explains, ‘As a basis for sound scientific research, [CFS] has been a disaster.’ (2001, [Online]) Today there are more than nine different CFS definitions. Just like the original definition of CFS produced in 1988 however, none of these definitions defines any distinct illness, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. (Hyde 2006, [Online]) All each of these flawed definitions ‘define’ is a heterogeneous (mixed) population of people with various misdiagnosed psychiatric and miscellaneous non-psychiatric states which have little in common but the symptom of fatigue. (Hooper et al 2001, [Online]) (Dowsett 2001b, [Online]) This is why being diagnosed with any of the definitions of CFS is not a useful or meaningful diagnosis and why a diagnosis of CFS should never be accepted – by doctor or by patient – as an end point of the process of diagnosis.
The creation of the flawed disease category of ‘CFS’ (and the equally flawed government policies that have gone along with it) have had a devastating effect on hundreds of thousands of M.E. sufferers around the world, including young children. These very ill patients are often denied appropriate medical treatment and care, denied appropriate insurance entitlements and other medical benefits and are often accused of malingering by doctors, welfare agencies and the media (and in turn even their own friends and family). M.E. patients are also routinely recommended or forced to participate in inappropriate or harmful psychologically based interventions while basic appropriate medical care is withheld. These harmful interventions (and the lack of basic medical care) have had disastrous and long-term physical effects on many sufferers. In some cases this has resulted in death. (Hooper et al. 2001, [Online]) (Hyde 2003, [Online])
Patients with M.E. are not the only patient group to be negatively affected however. Other patient groups misdiagnosed as CFS are also denied appropriate diagnosis and treatment. They may also be subjected to inappropriate psychological interventions. Doctors, researchers and the general public are also negatively affected in various ways by this subterfuge (As explained previously in Smoke and Mirrors). The only groups which gain from the ‘CFS’ confusion are insurance companies and various other organisations and corporations which have a vested financial interest in how these patients are treated, including the government.
The only way forward for every group involved is that the disease category of ‘CFS’ must be abandoned. (Hooper 2006, [Online]) Each of the patient groups involved must be correctly diagnosed and then treated as appropriate based on legitimate and unbiased science involving the SAME patient group. People with M.E. must be diagnosed and treated for M.E. Patients with depression should be diagnosed and treated for depression. Patients with cancer should be treated for cancer, and so on. Lumping these disparate patient groups together under a vague and meaningless category of ‘fatiguing illnesses’ (or CFS) only hinders each of the patient groups involved in their battle to regain their health. (Dowsett 2001b, [Online]) (Hooper 2006, [Online]) (Hyde 2003, [Online])
What a diagnosis of ‘CFS’ actually means is that the patient has a gradual onset fatigue syndrome which is usually due to a missed major disease. i.e. the patient has:
a. Missed cardiac disease, b. Missed malignancy, c. Missed vascular disease, d. Missed brain lesion either of a vascular or space occupying lesion, e. Missed test positive rheumatologic disease, f. Missed test negative rheumatologic disease, g. Missed endocrine disease, h. Missed physiological disease, i. Missed genetic disease, j. Missed chronic infectious disease, k. Missed pharmacological or immunization induced disease, l. Missed social disease, m. Missed drug use disease or habituation, n. Missed dietary dysfunction diseases, o. Missed psychiatric disease. (Hyde 2006, [Online])
Some of the illnesses commonly misdiagnosed as ‘CFS’ include:
This is of course not a comprehensive list. M.E. expert Dr. Elizabeth Dowsett explains that, ‘There are actually 30 well documented causes of ‘chronic fatigue.’’ (n.d.a. [Online]) It should also be remembered that although none of the CFS definitions define M.E., the majority of those with M.E. will be given a CFS diagnosis by default (due to the ignorance surrounding M.E., and the confusion with ‘CFS’). Therefore the possibility that a patient misdiagnosed with CFS has authentic Myalgic Encephalomyelitis should also be investigated, along with these myriad other possibilities.
Today patients with all sorts of different illnesses are commonly misdiagnosed as having ‘CFS.’ Under cover of the bogus disease category of CFS, this diverse mix of patients are treated as if they each suffered the exact same specific illness. This is clearly unscientific, and unethical. These patients must be given the opportunity to be diagnosed correctly if they are to have any chance of appropriate treatment or recovery, not given a meaningless ‘CFS’ misdiagnosis. Patients with M.E. need this same opportunity.
Treating this diverse and heterogenous patient group as if their illnesses each shared the same symptoms, aetiology, pathology and response to treatment is inappropriate and highly unlikely to benefit the health and wellbeing of any of the patient groups involved. Treating this ‘CFS’ group as if they each shared a specific psychological or behavioural illness is also clearly inappropriate. Aside from representing a heterogenous patient group, many (likely the vast majority) of those with the diagnosis are not mentally ill, and do not suffer from behavioural problems. (This includes of course, those patients with authentic M.E.) (Hooper 2006, [Online]) (Hyde 2006, [Online]) (Hooper et al. 2001, [Online])
For the benefit of all of the patient groups involved, doctors must return to the age-old medical principals of correct diagnosis (a) careful history, (b) detailed physical examination and (c) appropriate investigation. (Hyde 2006, [Online]) As Dr Byron Hyde explains:
Although the authors of these definitions have repeatedly stated that they are defining a syndrome and not a specific disease, patient, physician, and insurer alike have tended to treat this syndrome as a specific disease or illness, with at times a potentially specific treatment and a specific outcome. This has resulted in much confusion. (2006, [Online]) Thirty years ago when a patient presented to a hospital clinic with unexplained fatigue, any medical school physician would have told the students to search for an occult malignancy, cardiac or other organ disease, or chronic infection. The concept that there is an entity called chronic fatigue syndrome has totally altered that essential medical guideline. Patients are now being diagnosed with CFS as though it were a disease. It is not. It is a patchwork of symptoms that could mean anything. (2003, [Online])
Physicians who diagnose ‘CFS’ in any patient experiencing new onset fatigue without looking and testing for the true cause of the symptoms do their patients – and themselves – a great disservice. As Dr. Elizabeth Dowsett explains, ‘There is no such disease(s) as CFS’ (n.d.a. [Online]) Some of the conditions commonly misdiagnosed as CFS are very well defined and well-known illnesses and very treatable – but only once they have been correctly diagnosed. Some conditions are also very serious or can even be fatal if not correctly diagnosed and managed, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Every patient deserves the best possible opportunity for appropriate treatment for their illness, and for recovery. This process must begin with a correct diagnosis if at all possible. A correct diagnosis is half the battle won.
M.E. is not synonymous with ‘CFS’ and nor is it a subgroup of ‘CFS.’ (There is no such thing as a subgroup of CFS; there is no such disease/s as ‘CFS.’) M.E. is not a primarily fatiguing condition, nor is it a wastebasket diagnosis or ‘medically unexplained’ as ‘CFS’ is. Sub-grouping different types of ’CFS,’ refining the bogus ‘CFS’ definitions further or renaming ‘CFS’ with some variation on the term M.E. would achieve nothing and only create yet more confusion and mistreatment. The problem is not that ‘CFS’ patients are being mistreated as psychiatric patients; some of those patients misdiagnosed with CFS actually do have psychological illnesses. There is no such distinct disease as ‘CFS’ – that is the entire issue, and the vast majority of patients misdiagnosed with CFS do not have M.E. and so for them that term is as incorrect as ‘cancer’ or ‘diabetes.’
For more information on why the bogus disease category of 'CFS' must be abandoned, (along with the use of other vague and misleading umbrella terms such as ‘ME/CFS’ ‘CFS/ME’ 'CFIDS' and 'Myalgic Encephalopathy' and others), see: What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is not fatigue, or 'CFS' or Who benefits from 'CFS' and 'ME/CFS'? Problems with the so-called "Fair name" campaign: Why it is in the best interests of all patient groups involved to reject and strongly oppose this misleading and counter-productive proposal to rename ‘CFS’ as ‘ME/CFS’ and Problems with the use of 'ME/CFS' by M.E. advocates, plus Why the disease category of ‘CFS’ must be abandoned and Smoke and Mirrors
A symptom comparison between several definitions of ‘CFS’ and some of the illnesses most commonly misdiagnosed as ‘CFS.’
The most commonly used definitions of CFS are:
None of these CFS definitions is a description of any neurological disease, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. M.E. is not defined by ‘fatigue’ is not ‘medically unexplained’ and is certainly not merely a diagnosis of exclusion. M.E. is a distinct organic neurological disease. The summaries of each of these CFS definitions were taken from the paper ME and CFS, the Definitions produced by the Committee for Justice and Recognition of M.E. For more information on the definitions of M.E. and CFS see this paper, and: The Definitions of M.E. (and CFS) and The Nightingale Definition of M.E.
Symptom comparison lists of some of the illnesses most commonly misdiagnosed as CFS:
Post viral fatigue states and fatigue syndromes (eg. following glandular fever/mononucleosis, hepatitis, Ross river virus, flu, Q fever and many other infections)
Symptoms of post-glandular fever/mononucleosis fatigue syndrome include: severe fatigue not satisfied by sleep, recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throat and swollen lymph glands in the neck, aches and pains in the limbs, brain ‘fog,’ lack of concentration, depression, deep lethargy, not being able to stand lots of noise, people or strong smells (perfume, cleaning materials etc.), pins and needles, not feeling all there, feelings of having no energy, and various glandular fever/mononucleosis symptoms. (Reference)
Fibromyalgia
The two primary criteria for the classification of Fibromyalgia are: 1) A history of widespread pain involving all four quadrants of the body (right side, left side, above waist, below waist) for a period of at least 3 months. 2) Upon physical examination, the presence of pain in at least 11 of 18 tender points when touched or pressed with force amounting to the equivalent of 4 kg or 9 lbs, although some physicians will diagnose Fibromyalgia without these. (Reference) Other symptoms may include: Tenderness in the neck, shoulder, knee, elbow, or upper buttocks or thigh areas. Trouble sleeping. Tiredness in the morning or late in the day. Mood changes. Headaches. Difficulty concentrating. Numbness and tingling in hands, arms, feet, legs or face. Abdominal pain. Bloating. Constipation. Diarrhea. ( Reference)
Candida
Symptoms of systemic fungal infection (candida) include: Allergies to foods and/or airborne chemicals, continual fatigue often more noticeable after eating, poor digestion, constipation, diarrhoea, gas, bloating, cramps, heartburn, sugar craving, irritability, mood swings, headaches, migraine, a 'fogged in' feeling, poor concentration, dizziness, depression, anxiety, vaginal infections, menstrual problems, impotence, infertility, prostatitis, rectal itch, urinary infections, catches colds and flu easily, congestion, post nasal drip, asthma, bronchitis, earaches, sore throats, athlete's foot, jock itch, hives, psoriasis, skin rashes, hyperactivity, feeling bad all over, cold extremities, aches, white coated tongue upon rising. ( Reference)
Athletes over training syndrome
Symptoms of athletes over-training syndrome include: a washed-out feeling, tiredness, feeling drained, lack of energy, mild leg soreness, general achiness, pain in muscles and joints, sudden drop in performance, insomnia, headaches, increased number of colds, sore throats, decrease in training capacity or intensity, moodiness, irritability, depression, loss of enthusiasm for the sport, decreased appetite, increased incidence of injuries. ( Reference)
Burnout
The symptoms of burnout can include: physical fatigue, frequent illness, sleep problems, disillusionment, the loss of a sense of meaning and cynicism towards others, feelings of helplessness, frustration of efforts and a lack of power to change events, strong feelings of anger against the people we hold responsible for the situation, feelings of depression and isolation, increasing detachment from co-workers, marked reduction in commitment to work, increased alcohol consumption. (Reference)
MCS or MCSS
People with MCS have reported a wide range of symptoms including: headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, irritability, confusion, difficulty concentrating, intolerance to heat or cold, earache, stuffy head or congestion, itching, sneezing, sore throat, memory problems, breathing problems, changes in heart rhythm, chest pain, muscle pain and/or stiffness, bloating or gas, diarrhea, skin rash or hives, mood changes. ( Reference)
Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms of M.S. can include: severe fatigue or lassitude, numbness (and/or tingling) of the face, body, or extremities (arms and legs), feeling of detachment in the body, freezing cold hands and feet, (actual or sensations of), impaired sensations of heat, cold, sudden energy loss that leaves the person dazed and unable to communicate; may fall asleep suddenly, vertigo that may be so severe it can be accompanied by vomiting and nausea and an inability to walk in a straight line, sudden need to urinate, incontinence, urinary retention, pain that varies in type and severity (includes aching joints, burning, shooting, stabbing, cramping, facial nerve pain), weakness in the body (arms, legs feel like lead, sensation of having to drag legs along), lack of co-ordination, lack of balance, walking in a drunken stagger, weakness and paralysis, muscle stiffness, clumsiness, minor and temporary flaring in symptoms (pain, loss of energy) after exercise, tinnitus, hearing impairment (words sound scrambled and non-sensical), blurred double vision, blind spots, colour dimming, partial loss of sight, speech difficulties, slurring, jerky speech, garbled speech, impotence, loss of sexual sensation, emotional lability, short-term memory loss, e.g.going to the wrong place, problems concentrating and reasoning, food allergies, dietary sensitivities. (Reference)
Post polio syndrome
PPS can strike polio survivors anywhere from 10 to 40 years after their recovery (complete or partial) from polio and is estimated to affect 40 - 80% of this patient group. Symptoms may occur after surgery or an illness or severe repeated overexertion and include a gradual onset of fatigue, progressive muscle weakness, muscle pain, joint pain, breathing and swallowing difficulties Muscle and joint pain , breathing or swallowing problems, decreased tolerance of cold temperatures and muscular atrophy. Energy conservation and pacing are an important part of treatment. Blood tests are usually normal. Post polio syndrome is a very slowly progressing condition marked by long periods of stability. (Reference) (Reference) ( Reference).
Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia is a broad term that describes any disease or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This includes postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vasovagal syncope, mitral valve prolapse dysautonomia, pure autonomic failure, Neuro Cardiogenic Syncope (NCS), Neurally Mediated Hypotension (NMH) autonomic instability and a number of lesser-known disorders. Symptoms can include excessive fatigue, excessive thirst, lightheadedness, dizziness or vertigo, feelings of anxiety or panic (not mentally induced), rapid heart rate or slow heart rate, orthostatic hypotension plus headaches, pallor, malaise, facial flushing, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, visual disturbances, orthostatic hypotension, numbness, nerve pain, trouble breathing, chest pains, in some cases loss of consciousness and seizures. ( Reference)
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is classically described as a uniphasic syndrome occurring in association with an immunization or vaccination (postvaccination encephalomyelitis) or systemic viral infection (parainfectious encephalomyelitis). Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an uncommon monophasic inflammatory demyelinating disease that usually presents in children and young adults. The majority of children make a full recovery. ADEM should be suspected in a child with fever, fatigue and neurologic abnormalities, including impaired consciousness, especially one to two weeks after a viral infection. (Reference) ( Reference)
Chiari Malformation
Headache, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, weakness in arms/hands, neck pain, numbness/tingling in arm/hand, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, blurred Vision, tinnitus, difficulty swallowing, and leg weakness. Plus, depression, body weakness, balance problems, memory problems, leg/foot numbness, hoarse voice, chest pain, facial numbness, anxiety, slurred speech, arm pain, abdominal pain, photophobia. Less commonly also: tachycardia, trouble hearing, vomiting, double vision, word-finding problems, vision loss, blackouts, apnea, vertigo, loss of peripheral vision, nystagmus, earache, nosebleeds, snoring, thoracic pain, hypotension, waking up choking, leg pain, palpitations, hypertension, abnormal gag reflex, face pain/tingling. (Diagnosis is by MRI brain scan.) Source: Mueller DM, Oro' JJ Prospective analysis of presenting symptoms among 265 patients with radiographic evidence of Chiari Malformation type 1 with or without Syringomyelia.
Devic's disease, Devic's syndrome or neuromyelitis optica (NMO)
The main symptoms of Devic's disease are loss of vision and spinal cord function. As for other etiologies of optic neuritis, the visual impairment usually manifests as decreased visual acuity, although visual field defects, or loss of color vision may occur in isolation or prior to formal loss of acuity. Spinal cord dysfunction can lead to muscle weakness, reduced sensation, or loss of bladder and bowel control. The typical patient has an acute and severe spastic weakness of the legs (paraparesis) or all four limbs (tetraparesis) with sensory signs, often accompanied by loss of bladder control. (Reference)
Signs and symptoms of Hypothyroidism include: weak slow heart beat, muscular weakness and constant fatigue, sensitivity to cold, thick puffy skin, slowed mental processes and poor memory, constipation, goitre. Signs and symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include: rapid forceful heartbeat, tremor, muscular weakness, weight loss in spite of increased appetite, restlessness, anxiety and sleeplessness, profuse sweating and heat intolerance, diarrhea, eye changes, goitre. (Reference)
Adrenal insufficiency
Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include: fatigue and loss of energy, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, muscle weakness, dizziness when standing, dehydration, anxiety and depression, increased bronze pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes and decreased tolerance to cold. Women lose pubic and underarm hair and stop having normal menstrual periods. ( Reference)
Cancer
Early symptoms of cancer can include: chronic fatigue, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, a change in bowel or bladder habits, loss of feeling in arms or legs or difficulties in walking, a persistent cough or coughing blood, constant indigestion or trouble swallowing; unusual bleeding, paleness; fever and flu-like symptoms, bruising and prolonged bleeding, enlarged lymph nodes, digestive discomfort, discomfort or pain in the abdomen; nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bloating after meals, headaches that tend to be worse in the morning and ease during the day, that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, pain in bones and joints, frequent infections, changes in personality, memory or speech, weight loss; night sweats (Note that symptoms vary depending on the type of cancer) (Reference)
Brain tumours, including astrocytomas, gliomas
Symptoms of brain tumour can include: fatigue, sluggishness and drowsiness, headache (usually just after waking and lessening as the day goes on), vomiting, uncoordinated clumsy movements, seizures. muscle weakness on one side of the face causing a one-sided smile or drooping eyelid, difficulty with swallowing and with speech, personality changes, weakness, muscle wasting or spasms, and sensory changes ( Reference)
Transverse Myelitis
Symptoms of Transverse Myelitis include: limb weakness, sensory disturbance, bowel and bladder dysfunction, back pain and radicular pain (pain in the distribution of a single spinal nerve), sensation is diminished below the level of spinal cord involvement, tingling or numbness in the legs, pain, temperature sensation is diminished, appreciation of vibration (as caused by a tuning fork) and joint position sense may also be decreased, bladder and bowel sphincter control are disturbed in the majority of patients. Many patients with TM report a tight banding or girdle-like sensation around the trunk and that area may be very sensitive to touch. (Reference)
Myasthenia gravis
The symptoms of myasthenia gravis can include: severe and generalised muscle weakness (the first noticeable symptom frequently is weakness of the eye muscles). The disease may remain localised there, or progress to muscles involved in swallowing, chewing, talking, or in moving the limbs. Symptoms vary from patient, but can include a drooping of one or both the eyelids (ptosis), blurred or double vision, weakness of the muscles that move the eyeballs, and unstable or waddling gait, weakness in arms, hands, and fingers, difficulty in swallowing, and difficulty in breathing. Weakness tends to worsen with exercise and at the end of the day, and is usually particularly alleviated by rest. ( Reference)
Mitochondrial myopathies
Depending on which cells of the body are affected, symptoms of mitochondrial myopathies can include: Poor growth, loss of muscle coordination, muscle weakness, visual and/or hearing problems, developmental delays, learning disabilities, mental retardation, heart, liver, or kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, severe constipation, respiratory disorders, diabetes, increased risk of infection, neurological problems including seizures, thyroid dysfunction, dementia (mental disorder characterized by confusion, disorientation, and memory loss) ( Reference)
Symptoms of Behcet's disease include: aphthous stomatitis (inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth) with the lesions healing in a few days to a month, but recurring (similar genital lesions recur less frequently). Ocular symptoms include posterior uveitis, iridocyclitis, a transient hypopyon (pus in the anterior chamber of the eye), iritis, and chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina). Skin hypersensitivity. Vascular involvement includes thrombophlebitis (venous inflammation) of the large veins and arterial closing and aneurysm (dilation of an artery). Heart problems include: abnormal heart rhythms, missed heartbeats, early heartbeats and inflammation of the heart muscle. The lesions of aphthous stomatitis may be found elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms vary from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis and malabsorption problems. Arthritis occurs in about two-thirds of patients. Severe fatigue and malaise is common. The central nervous system is affected in about 23% of all patients with the disease (which may result in seizures, confusion, strokes, memory problems or headaches). (Reference) (Reference) ( Reference)
Ulcerative colitis
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include: diarrhea or rectal urgency, rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea and mucus, rectal pain and an urgent need to empty your bowels, abdominal pain, constipation, loss of appetite, fever, weight loss and fatigue. Ongoing (chronic) symptoms, such as diarrhea, can lead to weight loss, anaemia and also: joint pain, eye problems, skin rash, or liver disease. (Reference) ( Reference)
Kawasaki disease
The first symptom usually is a sudden, high fever that may be 104 F or higher that can last more than 10 days if the disease is not treated. Other symptoms often occur within a few days after the fever. These symptoms include: red, bloodshot eyes, usually without pus or discharge, a red body rash that varies in size, shape, and consistency, red, swollen, cracked lips and a red ("strawberry") tongue and lining of the mouth, firm, swollen hands and feet with shiny red palms and soles and swelling of lymph nodes on one side of the neck. Other symptoms may include: irritability and tiredness, joint swelling and pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, a rapid heart rate or changes in heart rhythm from heart inflammation. ( Reference)
Post-infectious polymyositis
Symptoms of Polymyositis can include: weak, tired and painful muscles mainly affecting the large muscles of the body, such as those around the shoulders, hips, and thighs (causing difficulty climbing stairs, getting up from low chairs, and getting in and out of the bath), muscles tender to the touch, feeling generally unwell (malaise), weight loss, night sweats. (Reference)
Vitamin B deficiency
Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency can include: mental problems, heart palpitations, heart arrythmias, indigestion, chronic fatigue, chronic exhaustion, paranoia, vague fears, fear that something dreadful is about to happen, nervousness, attention deficiency, inability to concentrate, irritability, feeling of uneasiness, thoughts of dying, easy agitation, frustration inability to sleep (insomnia), restlessness, tingling in hands fingers and toes, rashes, crying spells, inability to cope, soreness all over. (Reference)
Rheumatoid illness or lupus (SLE)
Symptoms of lupus can include: achy joints (arthralgia), frequent fevers of more than 100 degrees F., arthritis (swollen joints), prolonged or extreme fatigue, skin rashes, anemia, kidney involvement, pain in the chest on deep breathing (pleurisy), butterfly-shaped rash across the cheek and nose, sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity), hair loss, abnormal blood clotting problems, raynaud's phenomenon (fingers turning white and/or blue in the cold), seizures, mouth or nose ulcers. (Reference) ( Reference)
Sarcoma
Symptoms of Sarcoma include: joint swelling and tenderness, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, or pain without any clear source of injury, increasing abdominal pain, blood in stools or in vomit. (Reference)
Toxoplasmosis
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis include: feeling off color, mild fever, enlarged neck lymph nodes, malaise, muscle pains, enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged glands, anemia, liver symptoms, low blood pressure, blood symptoms, eye symptoms, eye inflammation ( Reference)
HIV/AIDS
Symptoms of early HIV infection can include: fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea and enlarged lymph nodes (organs of the immune system that can be felt in the neck, armpits and groin). Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection. (Reference)
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
Symptoms of chronic Lyme disease can include: profound fatigue, unexplained fevers and chills, severe headache, severe muscle aches/pain, unexplained weight change (loss or gain), swollen glands, sore throat, unexplained sweats, night sweats, nerve conduction defects (weakness/paralysis of limbs, loss of reflexes, tingling sensations of the extremities - peripheral neuropathy), severe headaches, stiff neck, meningitis, cranial nerve involvement (e.g. change in smell/taste; difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking; hoarseness or vocal cord problems; facial paralysis - Bell's palsy; dizziness/fainting; drooping shoulders; inability to turn head; light or sound sensitivity; change in hearing; deviation of eyeball, stroke, abnormal brain waves or seizures, sleep disorders, cognitive changes (memory problems, difficulty in word finding, confusion, decreased concentration, problems with numbers), behavioral changes (depression, personality changes), panic attacks; disorientation; hallucinations; extreme agitation; impulsive violence, manic, or obsessive behavior (paranoia, schiziphrenic-like states), dementia, eating disorders, vision changes, including blindness, retinal damage, optic atrophy, red eye, conjunctivitis, "spots" before eyes, inflammation of various parts of the eye, pain, double vision, rash not at the bite site (this skin discoloration varies in size and shape; usually has rings of varying shades, but can be uniformly discolored; may be hot to the touch or itch; ranges in color from reddish to purple to bruised-looking; and can be necrotic (crusty/oozy). The rash may develop a bull's-eye rash or target look. The shape my be circular, oval, triangular, or a long-thin ragged line), irregular heartbeats, heart block, myocarditis, chest pain, vasculitis, intermittent or chronic joint pain (usually not symmetrical; sometimes swelling), TMJ-like pain in jaw, difficulty breathing, pneumonia. Shortness of breath, Cough, muscle pain and cramps, loss of muscle tone, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, anorexia. (Reference)
Tuberculosis
Early infection symptoms of tuberculosis include: fever, chills, sweating, night sweats, flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss, no appetite, weakness, fatigue. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include: persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up bloody sputum, shortness of breath, breathing difficulty, recurring bouts of fever, weight loss, progressive shortness of breath, cloudy urine or reddish urine. ( Reference)
Brucellosis
Symptoms of Brucellosis include: Flu-like symptoms, fever, sweats, headaches, back pains, physical weakness, joint pain, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, relapsing cycles of fevers. (Reference)
Anxiety neurosis
Symptoms of anxiety neurosis include: excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), restlessness, easy fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension (including trembling, twitching, feeling shaky, muscle aches, and soreness), disturbed sleep. ( Reference)
Depression
Symptoms of depression include: abnormal depressed mood, loss of interest and decreased energy, loss of confidence, excessive guilt, recurrent thoughts of death, poor concentration, agitation or retardation, change in appetite, sadness, lethargy, helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness, difficulties with decisions, changes to sleep patterns - difficulty sleeping or staying awake, changes in weight - either significant loss or gain in weight, relationship problems with partners, friends, family, colleagues, isolation, anxiousness, unusual fear or feeling panic. ( Reference)
PTSD
The symptoms of PTSD include: severe fatigue, sleep problems including nightmares and waking early, flashbacks and replays which you are unable to switch off, impaired memory, forgetfulness, inability to recall names, facts and dates that are well known to you, impaired concentration, impaired learning ability (eg through poor memory and inability to concentrate), hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, irritability, sudden intense anger, occasional violent outbursts, panic attacks, emotional hypersensitivity, joint and muscle pains which have no obvious cause, feelings of nervousness, anxiety, reactive depression, excessive levels of shame, embarrassment, survivor guilt, a feeling of having been given a second chance at life, undue fear, low self-esteem and shattered self-confidence, emotional numbness, anhedonia (inability to feel love or joy), feelings of detachment, avoidance of anything that reminds you of the experience, physical and mental paralysis at any reminder of the experience. ( Reference)
Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disease
Symptoms of Schizophrenia include: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking, disorganised behaviour catatonic behaviour, withdrawal, loss of motivation and ambivalence (Avolition) (this may involve lack of energy, apathy or seeming absence of interest in what were usually routine activities. People experiencing avolition may be inattentive to grooming, personal hygiene, have difficulty making decisions and have difficulty persisting at work, school or household chores), loss of feeling or an inability to experience pleasure (Anhedonia), poverty of speech (Alogia), flat presentation (Affective Flattening), cognitive impairments (including problems with attention, concentration and memory). (Reference)
Additional notes on this text:
1. Diagnosis based on symptomatology only? Assessing a patient’s symptomatology is only one part of the process of diagnosis. Diagnosis cannot be and should not be made on the analysis of symptomatology alone (unless an illness, for example M.E., has symptoms or groups of symptoms which are unique to that one illness). Correct diagnosis must combine an analysis of the symptoms present with a thorough medical history, physical exam, and with appropriate testing. Unlike almost all of the illnesses listed here the onset of M.E. is always acute. So determining the type of onset – acute or gradual – is very important, for example. (See below for further information on the acute onset of M.E.) It is not appropriate to use these symptom lists alone to diagnose any illness. These lists are included merely to illustrate how easily many of these illnesses may be (and are) misdiagnosed as ‘CFS.’
2. M.E. is always an acute onset illness. Most people with M.E. will know not only the exact week and day they became ill, but even the exact hour that they suddenly became ill. The onset of M.E. is frequently very dramatic and patients can usually be diagnosed within 2 weeks of the onset of their illness.
Arbitrarily separating those with acute onset illness to the M.E. category, and those with gradual onset to being in the ‘CFS’ category is problematic however because (a) some sufferers will be unsure of their onset type (they may not recall it, or may not recall it accurately, for various reasons) and (b) in some cases, acute onset M.E. is preceded by a series of unrelated minor infectious episodes (in a previously well patient) which may be misinterpreted as being a gradual onset of the M.E. (These minor infectious episodes may be due to the immune system being under temporary or chronic stress from events such as; recent immunisation, repetitive contact with a large number of infectious persons, or the effect of travel; as in exposure to a new subset of virulent infections. This pre-existing temporary or chronic immune system weakness is not seen in all patients and is not what causes M.E., although a compromised immune system will of course make the bodies of those so affected somewhat more vulnerable to all types of infections, including M.E.)
M.E. must be diagnosed by looking at the patient's onset type, overall symptomatology, and pathology. If the symptomatology and pathology fit M.E. then it can only be M.E. regardless of the onset type noted (M.E. is a clearly defined disease process with several unique features/characteristics and known pathology), and either point (a) or point (b) will apply (Hyde 2006, [Online]) (Hyde 2007, [Online])
3. Similar illnesses? Despite claims to the contrary by some groups, M.E. is not the same illness (or even almost the same illness) as Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, Gulf War Illness (GWI), MCSS, various post viral fatigue syndromes caused by glandular fever/mononucleosis etc. or any other illness. While these illnesses may have some symptoms in common with M.E., so do many other different illnesses. M.E. also has several unique features and symptoms which are not seen in any of these illnesses (for example the fact it occurs in epidemic and sporadic forms, the unique post exertional muscle weakness and worsening with exercise, the strong links with polio and post-polio syndrome, and so on). Although there are some similarities between the symptoms seen in these illnesses to some extent this does not mean that they represent the same etiological or pathobiological process, share the same core and essential symptoms, or will have the same or even a similar response to treatment, the same pathology, or a similar prognosis. They do not.
The idea of these very different patient groups being mixed up and treated as if they represented the exact same patient group is truly alarming. The results could only be disastrous for all concerned. Just like each of these illnesses Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a distinct and unique illness and it is vitally important that they are each always seen that way for the benefit of all patients involved. Patients with all of these illnesses must be correctly diagnosed and treated based on studies involving only the same patient group! There is nothing to be gained by joining these illnesses as if they each referred to the same or only slightly different patient group as this is simply not the case. We must not let another 20 years be wasted mixing together vastly different patient groups unnecessarily!
4. I’m still confused… in a nutshell, what is the difference between M.E. and ‘CFS’? The terminology is often used interchangeably, incorrectly and confusingly. However, the DEFINITIONS of M.E. and CFS are very different and distinct, and it is the definitions of each of these terms which is of primary importance. The distinction must be made between terminology and definitions.
M.E. is not synonymous with CFS, nor is it a subgroup of CFS. (There is no such thing as a subgroup of CFS; there is no such disease/s as "CFS.’) M.E. is not a primarily fatiguing condition, nor is it a wastebasket diagnosis or ‘medically unexplained’ as ‘CFS’ is. Sub-grouping different types of ’CFS,’ refining the bogus ‘CFS’ definitions further or renaming ‘CFS’ with some variation on the term M.E. would achieve nothing and only create yet more confusion and mistreatment. The problem is not that ‘CFS’ patients are being mistreated as psychiatric patients; some of those patients misdiagnosed with CFS actually do have psychological illnesses. There is no such distinct disease/s as ‘CFS’ – that is the entire issue, and the vast majority of patients misdiagnosed with CFS do not have M.E. and so have no more right to that term than to ‘cancer’ or ‘diabetes.’ The only way forward, for the benefit of society and every patient group involved, is that:
There is no such disease/s as ‘CFS’ – the name CFS and the bogus disease category of CFS must be abandoned (along with the use of other vague and misleading umbrella terms such as ‘ME/CFS’ ‘CFS/ME’ 'ME-CFS' 'CFIDS' and 'Myalgic Encephalopathy' and others), for the benefit of all the patient groups involved, as well as the medical community and the general public.
5. I seem to fit the 2003 Canadian definition of ‘ME/CFS’ does this mean that I have M.E.? No, it doesn’t. As the name suggests, this is a mixed M.E. and ‘CFS’ definition. It is essentially yet another redefinition of CFS, but with some of the symptoms (and other features) of M.E. tacked on. The Canadian ‘ME/CFS’ definition should not be considered a pure M.E. definition as it is easily possible to qualify for the diagnosis without having the unique and essential features of M.E.
6. Dual diagnosis? Despite the fact that severe pain is a well known and very common symptom of M.E. many M.E. sufferers who have pain are told that they now also supposedly have ‘Fibromyalgia.' But if pain is a recognised symptom of M.E. then how does an additional Fibromyalgia diagnosis made purely on the presence of pain make sense? Patients who have Fibromyalgia and patients with primary M.E. can be easily distinguished from each other with various tests (and other means including an evaluation purely based on symptomatology which is very different between the two illnesses), so what do tests show in patients who supposedly have both? Interestingly, when patients (supposedly) have both illnesses the test results given are the ones for M.E. only. So do these M.E. patients really also have Fibromyalgia, or do they just have severe pain as part of their M.E.? As you might expect, these test results strongly suggest the latter.
The same is true of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCSS); symptoms of chemical sensitivity are part of the core symptoms of M.E. and have long been associated with M.E.(as well as with several other autoimmune illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and Lupus) and so there is no need for an additional diagnosis of MCSS to be made. This additional diagnosis is incorrect. Just because you may fit a definition of Fibromyalgia, or MCSS, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) this does not mean that your symptoms are caused by the same etiological or pathological process, or will respond to various treatments the same way, or will have the same prognosis as those people who have primary Fibromyalgia, MCSS or IBS, and so on. All of these symptoms from pain to chemical sensitivities to constipation or diarrhoea are all very common symptoms of M.E. making additional diagnoses inappropriate.
All of the information concerning Myalgic Encephalomyelitis on this website is fully referenced and has been compiled using the highest quality resources available, produced by the world's leading M.E. experts. More experienced and more knowledgeable M.E. experts than these – Dr Byron Hyde and Dr. Elizabeth Dowsett in particular – do not exist.
Between Dr Byron Hyde and Dr. Elizabeth Dowsett, and their mentors the late Dr John Richardson and Dr Melvin Ramsay (respectively), these four doctors have been involved with M.E. research and M.E. patients for well over 100 years collectively, from the 1950s to the present day. Between them they have examined more than 15 000 individual (sporadic and epidemic) M.E. patients, as well as each authoring numerous studies and articles on M.E., and books (or chapters in books) on M.E. Again, more experienced, more knowledgeable and more credible M.E. experts than these simply do not exist.
This paper is merely intended to provide a brief summary of some of the most important facts of M.E. It has been created purely for the benefit of those people without the time, inclination or ability to read each of these far more detailed and lengthy references created by the world’s leading M.E. experts. The original documents used to create this paper are essential additional reading however for any physician (or anyone else) with a real interest in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. For more information see the References page.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to LK Woodruff and Bea for their contributions to this paper.
Disclaimer: The HFME does not dispense medical advice or recommend treatment, and assumes no responsibility for treatments undertaken by visitors to the site. It is a resource providing information for education, research and advocacy only. Please consult your own health-care provider regarding any medical issues relating to the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
Copyright © Jodi Bassett, January 2009. This version updated September 2009. From www.hfme.org
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