CFS vs. ME

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" 1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an artificial construct created in the US in

1988 for the benefit of various political and financial vested interest groups.

It is a mere diagnosis of exclusion (or wastebasket diagnosis) based on the

presence of gradual or acute onset fatigue lasting 6 months. If tests show

serious abnormalities, a person no longer qualifies for the diagnosis, as `CFS'

is `medically unexplained.' A diagnosis of `CFS' does not mean that a person has

any distinct disease (including M.E.). The patient population diagnosed with

`CFS' is made up of people with a vast array of unrelated illnesses, or with no

detectable illness. According to the latest CDC estimates, 2.54% of the

population qualify for a `CFS' (mis)diagnosis. Every diagnosis of `CFS' can only

ever be a misdiagnosis.

2. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a systemic neurological disease initiated by a

viral infection. M.E. is characterised by (scientifically measurable) damage to

the brain, and particularly to the brain stem which results in dysfunctions and

damage to almost all vital bodily systems and a loss of normal internal

homeostasis. Substantial evidence indicates that M.E. is caused by an

enterovirus. The onset of M.E. is always acute and M.E. can be diagnosed within

just a few weeks. M.E. is an easily recognisable distinct organic neurological

disease which can be verified by objective testing. If all tests are normal,

then a diagnosis of M.E. cannot be correct

Source: http://www.hfme.org/misdiagnosis.htm

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)

Thyroid illness

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)

Behcet's disease

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)

....

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) "