Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

(Also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

 

To be classified as ME or CFS, the following criteria must be fulfilled and be present for at least 6 months:

A: Severe, debilitating and disabling fatigue, usually made worse post-exertion

- delayed onset of fatigue is characteristic of this illness

B: Plus 4 or more of the following main symptoms:

Main Symptoms

1. Impaired Cognitive Functions

• inability to concentrate

• calculation difficulties

• memory disturbance

• spatial disorientation

• frequently saying the wrong word

• being in a 'fog'

2. Chronic sore throat - often with recurrent flu-like illness

3. Tender and swollen lymph nodes - especially neck and underarms

4. Muscle pain

5. Multi-joint pain

6. New headaches - often severe

7. Non-refreshing sleep

8. Post-Exertional Malaise

 

Other symptoms may include:

Nervous system problems

• Sleep disturbance - insomnia, hypersomnia - often with vivid dreams or nightmares

• Severe muscular weakness without muscle wasting

• Paralysis or Paresis - weakness or short lived paralysis

• Numb or tingling feelings

• Twitching muscles

• Changes in visual acuity and photophobia-intolerance to light

• Changes to hearing - sensitivity to noise

• Alteration of taste and smell

• Tinnitus - ringing in ears

• Disequilibrium - severe dizziness

• Feeling 'spaced out' or 'cloudy‘

• Blackouts

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Emotional lability - mood swings, may be related to fatigue

 

Other main symptoms may include:

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome', wind, diarrhoea

• Weight change - usually gain - often 2 to 3 stone gain or loss

• Temperature disregulation with cold hands and feet

• Low-grade fevers, abnormally hot or cold

• Symptoms worsened by extremes of temperature

• Night sweats

• Heart palpitations

• Severe nasal and other allergies

• Multiple sensitivities or allergic reactions to medicines, food and other substances

• Severe premenstrual syndrome and exacerbation of all symptoms before and during periods in women

 

Other symptoms may include:

• Rashes

• Dryness of mucous membranes eg throat, mouth and eyes

• Ulceration of mouth

• Uncomfortable or frequent urination

• Muscle spasms

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath on exertion

• Disordered sensation in tongue - difficulty moving tongue

• Intolerance of alcohol

• Decreased libido and occasional impotence

• Personality changes (usually a worsening of a previous mild tendency)

• TMJ Syndrome - pain/tenderness on movement of jaw

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - pressure on nerves in hand with pain/tingling

• Food cravings - especially carbohydrates

• Finger/toe nails and hair stop growing

• Hair loss

• Slow healing process of cuts/scratches

This list is not exhaustive, during the course of your ME/CFS there may be other symptoms you need to add to this list.

If you feel able to highlight your particular symptoms, you may then use this list as a means of explaining how you are personally affected by ME/CFS, creating greater awareness and understanding amongst your family and friends of how complex and individualistic an illness ME/CFS is.

© Tanya Harrison 2004