What To Expect At Your First Doctors Visit For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What To Expect At Your First Doctors Visit For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Once you have decided to see a medical professional concerning your symptoms, the best place to start is with your primary care physician.
There is no one single test that will tell you that your symptoms are related to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Basically what will happen is your physician will take a full medical history from you.
Try to give as much detail as possible regarding your medical history including any stresses, depressions, and illnesses as well as a detailed description of what your symptoms are and when your symptoms started as well as when they occur.
Then you will be asked to undergo a complete and through physical examination. Possible Questions You May Be Asked: When did you first notice your fatigue? Describe how your energy and activity levels been affected by your fatigue? Have you experienced any difficulty getting to sleep, or staying asleep?
Are you troubled by any sleep disturbances such as snoring? Have you noticed any changes in your ability to remember things? Have you noticed any changes in ability to concentrate? Do you experience any pain, if so does it last for long periods of time? What medications, prescription or over-the-counter, medications do you currently take? What if any vitamins or supplements do you currently take?
Are you using any other drugs or do you consume any alcoholic beverages? Have you experienced any changes in your mood? Do you feel that you are under stress or have you experienced any stressful events in your life? Your physician may also ask you some in depth questions about any stress, depression or anxiety you may have experienced or be currently feeling. CFS symptoms can be similar to clinical depression, chronic anxiety or some neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Asking you questions along these lines, will give your physician a better idea of what tests will be best to run to determine the cause of your symptoms. Your physician will then most likely order some laboratory tests to rule out any other possible explanation for your symptoms.
These tests may include the following: urinalysis complete blood count thyroid hormone some other standard chemistry blood tests You may not receive any clear answers at this first medical visit, as your physician will want to evaluate the testing he has ordered. You may be asked to return for follow up visits to assess how your symptoms have been since the first visit.
Chronic Fatigue Fast Facts
What Is It Like For Those Who Suffer From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
A common complaint from people who have been diagnosed with having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an overwhelming and extreme fatigue. A fatigue that is not associated with a busy day at the office or from running a 10-mile marathon. This is a fatigue that can be felt upon waking; a fatigue that has nothing to do with physical activity. The fatigue can keep you from living a normal, active life. It can even interfere with normal activities like getting dressed, making meals, or being able to...
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After your physician has ruled out any other disease or cause for your symptoms you may receive the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as an explanation for your symptoms. At this time your physician will work with you to alleviate the effect of the symptoms by prescribing medications, and perhaps vitamins and supplements and other therapies. Be prepared to ask your physician any questions you may have concerning your symptoms and how to manage your pain and fatigue.
Here is a list of concerns you may wish to address with your physician at this time. How to overcome any sleep difficulties you may be having? Would making any changes to your daily activities help manage your symptoms? How to manage your pain? How to reduce or at least manage any stress? Is there assistance available in finding support groups? Help you to find ways to work around your symptoms so that you can maintain as active a lifestyle as possible?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts
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It has been shown that a balanced diet, along with a monitored vitamin and supplement therapy plan can help patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, to feel some relief from their many symptoms. |
Your physician is there to help you be your healthiest and answering your questions to your satisfaction is part of his or her job as your physician. Do not be shy about discussing your concerns. If you are uncertain about any of the tests, treatments or anything discussed in the office, please take the time to ask. The staff is there to assist you and to help you understand how to manage your symptoms.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advances
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10/06/2008
Signs of depression (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Some people are just prone to negative thinking, seeing the negative side of things. That doesn't mean they're depressed; they just tend to see things on the dark side. Some people talk of mood swings, but a bipolar disorder's extreme highs and lows disrupt normal everyday functions.
Signs of depression (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
10/06/2008
Signs of depression (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Some people are just prone to negative thinking, seeing the negative side of things. That doesn't mean they're depressed; they just tend to see things on the dark side. Some people talk of mood swings, but a bipolar disorder's extreme highs and lows disrupt normal everyday functions.
Signs of depression (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
10/06/2008
Hemispherx Engages The Sage Group as Its Corporate Partnership Advisor for Ampligen to Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6, 2008 -- Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. today announced that it has engaged The Sage Group to assist Hemispherx to identify, select, negotiate, and close a corporate partnership for the commercialization of Hemispherx's Ampligen to treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome .
Hemispherx Engages The Sage Group as Its Corporate Partnership Advisor for Ampligen to Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance)
10/06/2008
Living with MS? Surprising Stats about Mobility, Attitudes (Palatka Daily News)
(ARA) - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms can include walking and coordination difficulties, fatigue, numbness, weakness and visual problems. And it's not a rare disease.
Living with MS? Surprising Stats about Mobility, Attitudes (Palatka Daily News)
10/06/2008
Concussion treatment more than just walking it off (Ellwood City Ledger)
"As soon as it happened, I kind of blacked out and walked off the court." Justin Nardi Geneva College point guard, on suffering a concussion during a game last season
Concussion treatment more than just walking it off (Ellwood City Ledger)
10/06/2008
Healthy happenings (The News-Times)
Here are some events offered in the area for your health, fitness and well-being. Check here each week for new listings.SPECIAL EVENTSäBreast cancer speaker: Bethel Visiting Nurse Association is sponsoring a talk on the importance of early detection of breast cancer and having regular screening mammograms, today today, 10:30 a.
Healthy happenings (The News-Times)
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