Chronic fatigue syndrome

Alternative Names

Treatment

There is currently no treatment that has been proven to be effective in curing CFS. Instead, the symptoms are treated. Many people with CFS experience depression and other psychological problems that may improve with treatment.

Some of the proposed treatments include:

• Antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir)
• Drugs to fight "hidden" yeast infections (such as nystatin)
• Medications to treat depression (antidepressant drugs)
• Medications to treat anxiety (antianxiety drugs)
• Medications to reduce pain, discomfort, and fever

Some medications can cause adverse reactions or side effects that are worse than the original symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Patients with CFS are encouraged to maintain active social lives, and mild physical exercise may also be helpful.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The long-term outlook for patients with CFS is variable and difficult to predict at the initial onset. Some patients have been reported to completely recover after six months to a year. Others may take longer for a complete recovery.

Some patients report never returning to their pre-illness state. Most studies report that patients treated in an extensive rehabilitation program have a better prognosis of improving significantly than those patients who don't seek treatment.

Possible Complications

• Social isolation caused by fatigue
• Lifestyle restrictions (some people are so fatigued that they are essentially disabled during the course of the illness)
• Depression (related both to symptoms and lack of diagnosis)
• Side effects and adverse reactions to medication treatments

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent, severe fatigue, with or without other symptoms of this disorder. Other more serious disorders can cause similar symptoms and should be ruled out.

See also:

Chronic fatigue syndrome - resources

References

Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:525.

Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2006. 58th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2006: 138-141.