Who gets it? I can't answer this. Who gets fibromyalgia? Or the rest of the Fibro 5? An activating event occurs, maybe a triggering event. Most commonly implicated is an infectious agent. The center for disease control has actually set up criteria for this disease. The chicken or the egg phenomenon. I believe that the central nervous system is activated, suppressing immune response and an otherwise healthy individual acquires an infection -- opportunistic. CFIDS patients have more thrush and yeast infections -- these are symptoms of an altered immune system. So is multiple allergies. Central alterations. Central sensitization.

What happens?
As with fibromyalgia, a multitude of specialists can't find a thing. Flu-like symptoms are common. Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and fatigue are hallmarks. Despite being forever sleepy, a good restorative sleep is impossible. Sometimes these folks just can't get out of bed and want to sleep all day. CFIDS just never feel refreshed. Headaches, muscle pain, pelvic and abdominal pain evolve. Memory, on occasion is altered. Joint pain is possibly inflammatory, but I believe it is referred.

What is found on physical examination?
A pale person who you can say from across the room looks worn out. Most patients have a slightly lower blood pressure than normal. Red throat, you might find yeast overgrowth termed "thrush". Lymph nodes are frequently tender and may be slightly enlarged. Otherwise the examination is essentially normal. We've talked about nitric oxide and its potential to decrease blood pressure. Could this be the slightly decreased blood pressure we see in CFIDS?

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