Trademarks of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
© Paul B. Murray
The first trademark of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a weaning and waxing of symptoms. Symptoms of CFS can vary from day to day or hour to hour. Symptoms can be severe and debilitating one moment and tinker off to where it is not bothersome the next moment. This is not typical of an acute illness which builds on a consistent basis and they will gradually tamper off later. Since CFS is an illness that changes day to day, this can be deceiving to friends, neighbors and doctors. When a person living with CFS is unable to function on one day and several days later, when their symptoms wean off, are able to participate is daily activities, often others see this change in the person as a recovery from the illness.
Often when symptoms of CFS are at the point of weaning or improving, there is a tendency for the person living with CFS to over exert themselves. Over exertion can bring on the second trademark of CFS, the crash. The crash associated with CFS is an overwhelming feeling of total exhaustion or collapse. A crash can also be brought on by another illness. Persons living with CFS often describe this feeling like being hit with a ton of bricks.
The third trademark of CFS can be described as being an undetectable illness by others. Often when people do not understand this illness, they judge those suffering with CFS from outward appearances. Typically, others will say that a person living with CFS does not look sick.
It is extremely important to recognize and understand the phases of CFS When symptoms of CFS are in the weaning process, it is important to wisely use this opportunity. Suppose you found a $100 on the street. What would you do with this new found money? Would you go out and spend it all at once or spend some but save some for a rainy day? The same can be said about CFS. When your symptoms are in a weaning period do you go out and over exert yourself or use some energy leaving some for another day? Anticipate what activities cause crashes and plan accordingly. If you know certain activities cause the onset of a crash, you could prepare for the crash by resting several days before hand or set aside time later to recuperate afterwards. The misunderstanding of your illness by friends and family can be devastating. There are times where you will need all of your emotional and physical strength to make it through the day. On days like this, you might decide to avoid people who judge you for your outward appearance. Adjusting to the three trademarks of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will help you cope living with this illness.
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