Chronic fatigue is an unusual illness, of uncertain cause, that is characterised by unexplained fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, lymph node swelling and [malaise].

My story is central sensitization. Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS) and fibromyalgia are too similar. Maybe the same disease, with small variance that is so common in many pain scenarios. I've never heard two people who describe back pain the same way. Why should chronic fatigue and the Fibro 5 be any different? Similarities exceed chance. Doctors should know this.

This is not a benign disease. Neither is fibromyalgia. Like fibromyalgia, otherwise healthy people unexplainably evolve to near incapacitation. Not fatal, but a devastating life experience. Not curable, but treatable. Are these people crazy? No. Do you have these symptoms? Fatigue, muscle ache, headaches, poor restorative sleep, pelvic pain, abdominal pain, lymph node pain, joint pain, depression, memory disturbance, difficulty with concentration, thought patterns, dizziness, visual disturbances, sexual dysfunction and multiple allergies. All common to this disease, exceeding chance.

Sound a little familiar? Fibromyalgia? Irritable Bowel? The Fibro 5?

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?