Living and Managing Life With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Managing CFS

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Managing CFS can be as difficult as diagnosing CFS. There is no cure, no prescription drugs specifically for CFS, and symptoms vary greatly among patients. To manage this syndrome, communication with the doctor and monitoring one's health is very important. Notified the doctor of any change in health. In turn, the doctor should alter treatment strategies accordingly. If adequate communication between the patient and doctor exist, together they can design the best treatment program for the patient. The program should consists of a combination of therapies that address coping techniques, symptoms, and managing daily activities. A team of doctors and other medical professionals may benefit the patient, as CFS has an array of diverse symptoms. This team may include rehabilitation specialists, mental health professionals, and physical or exercise therapists. Relief of the patient's symptoms is the main goal of the program.

 

Living With CFS
Living with CFS can be very difficult and frustrating as the patient learns to cope with new life styles based around monitoring and suppressing unpredictable symptoms. Coping with inefficient stamina and memory and concentration problems effect work, school, and daily life. Stressed relationships cause anxiety, anger, and worry. In some cases, patients must learn to rely on other, losing their independence, livelihood, and economic security. Additional stress cause symptoms to worsen. The faster patients cope with these daily life changes, the sooner they will find relief.

Take Action
To begin managing CFS, doctors recommend to treat the most disruptive symptoms first, including pain, sleep deprivation, dizziness, depression, and memory and concentration problems. Patients' over the counter use of medicines are closely monitored. Developing activity programs allow patients to return to their daily lives. To avoid over exhaustion, councilors and therapist help develop a limitation plan to help patients realize when to stop or take breaks. Most importantly, Cognitive behavioral therapy, professional counseling, and support groups help patients improve their health and over all quality of life. Learning to manage these aspects can vastly improve the lives of patients with CFS. There may not be a cure, but there is a way to improve CFS symptoms. The patient can control CFS instead of CFS controlling the patient.

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Resource
"Management of CFS." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 May 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/management/

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