Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or "Yuppie Flu"

QUESTION: Can you tell me how one copes with chronic fatigue syndrome? I
believe you once called it "yuppie flu".
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ANSWER: Chronic fatigue syndrome is a confusing situation for patient and
doctor alike. It's being diagnosed with increasing frequency, and some
physicians are critical of this. The reason for the controversy is the
criteria for the diagnosis are not clear, and many of the symptoms are
subjective in nature. Some physicians blame the syndrome on Epstein-Barr
virus (EBV), while others feel EBV is not the culprit.
Be aware that it may be tempting for doctors and patients to cut short
the thorough evaluation necessitated by the complaints of chronic fatigue,
settling instead for the convenient label of "chronic fatigue syndrome." As
with any complaint, it is important to investigate it fully, before the
diagnosis is made. Fatigue can be a symptom of many different problems, some
of which should not be ignored.
More research is certainly needed to learn more about the syndrome and
thus find the best ways to treat it. But before the syndrome can be studied,
it must be defined closely enough so that all researchers can be assured they
are studying the same disease.
When there is so much uncertainty on the part of the medical
professionals about this syndrome, it is no wonder that you're asking about
how to cope with it. When you're chronically tired, with a vague "unwell"
feeling that your physician can't find a reason for, you may become depressed
and even more fatigued. It may be hard to sort out what is a distinct
physical problem from what is a psychological difficulty. In reality, the two
problems are probably interrelated. The one temptation you must avoid is
getting involved with treatments that are not based on sound medical advice.
Expensive vitamins, untested treatments and therapies can do you and your bank
account more harm than good.
Keep talking with your doctor, and ask his advice regarding treatment. As
new discoveries are made, new treatment strategies can be developed that may
be just right for you. Sometimes treating symptoms to make you more
comfortable is the best plan, along with supportive psychological help for you
and your family.