Extreme pain and exhaustion may be chronic fatigue syndrome

It’s often called a mystery illness. But people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome experience real pain and extreme exhaustion.

Paula Bushman loves working in her garden, but there are some days when the retired Marine and mom of three can’t even get off the couch.

“It’s a 500 pound gorilla on your back,” she said.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. Researchers say it could be triggered by a bad virus or, in Paula’s case, possibly toxic water she was exposed to while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

At first, doctors told her it was in her head.

“We think you need to go to a psychiatrist, and I said ‘what you think I’m crazy?’” she said.

It wasn’t until Paula found Dr. Nancy Klimas that she finally got some answers.

“It’s certainly not some abhorrent depression or psychological thing -- it's a biological condition,” Dr. Klimas said.

The illness involves inflammation of the brain.

“It affects how you think. It affects your cognition,” she said. “It affects your hormone regulation.”

Now Klimas and her team are on the verge of a breakthrough identifying a specific gene which will allow them to predict the best medications.

For now, Dr. Klimas put Paula on a regimen of vitamins and supplements to boost her immune system.

She feels better then she has in years.

“I wasn't always in bed,” Paula said. “I could do dishes, simple things.”

Giving her and others fighting this debilitating illness hope.

Doctors say it’s important for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome to pace themselves. The first clinical trial is expected next spring.

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RESEARCH SUMMARY

TOPIC: Tired of Chronic Fatigue?

REPORT: MB #4195

BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disease characterized by extreme fatigue that is not correlated to any medical condition. The fatigue can get worse with any physical activity, but it does not get better with any type of rest. The cause for this syndrome is unknown, but there are several theories that state it can be caused due to viral infections, immune system problems, hormonal imbalances or psychological stress.

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TESTS & TREATMENTS: At the moment, there is no specific test that can confirm a patient is suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Because most of the symptoms are similar to symptoms of other diseases, the doctor has to rule out sleep disorders, mental health issues or any other medical problems. A lot of doctors used to believe this syndrome was a mental health issue; therefore, in order to diagnose a patient, they must have the following symptoms for more than 6 months:

* Loss of memory or concentration

* Sore throat

* Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits

* Unexplained muscle pain

* Pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness

* Headache of a new type, pattern or severity

* Unrefreshing sleep

* Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise

Once the patient is diagnosed with the syndrome, the treatments he/she receives will depend on how the fatigue affects them. Antidepressants, sleeping pills, graded exercise and psychological counseling may be prescribed and recommended.

(a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20022009" target="_blank">Source

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NEW RESEARCH: Dr. Nancy Klimas, with the help of her team of researchers, are on the verge of a breakthrough identifying specific genes which will allow them to predict the best medicines to treat this syndrome. Dr. Klimas and her team asked trial patients to exercise because they know this may cause them to relapse. During the exercise, they look at which genes get turned on and off, allowing them to target the specific gene causing the fatigue. Because this is an inflammatory disease of the immune system, Dr. Klimas usually recommends her patients pace themselves, She also recommends a regimen of vitamins and supplements, specific to each patient.

(Source: Dr. Nancy Klimas)