How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. diagnosed?

See how Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. is diagnosed. Which specialists are essential to meet, what tests are needed and other useful information for the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / M.E. diagnosis

Posted Apr 17, 2019 by MEAction of CO

Blind Luck and perhaps a doctor that will listen

Posted Dec 20, 2019 by ME International

Currently by exclusion of other conditions and exhibiting a set of symptoms for more than 6 months.

Posted Feb 21, 2017 by Catherine 1002

By elimination

Posted May 4, 2017 by Ben 1079

I was diagnosed by my family physician assistant after all my test kept coming back normal but doctor could tell I was not ok at all.
I think having a medical professional that has known you for years & that genuinely cares about you is what is needed for a diagnosis, the level of degree they have doesn't matter if doctor doesn't believe CFS is anything more than a person being "lazy & crazy."

Posted May 12, 2017 by missylob 1056

Diagnosi di esclusione. Tipizzazione linfocitaria.
Matching the criteria (Canadian, Fukuda)

Posted Aug 27, 2017 by Emy 2050

Pretty much when they run out of options to test you for.

Posted Aug 30, 2017 by Jaime 800

There isn't a test for ME yet, it's diagnosed by eliminating everything else that it might be, and by using a questionnaire that looks at a range of symptoms. The key symptoms are post exertional malaise, fatigue for no particular reason and lasting for at least 6 months.

Posted Sep 5, 2017 by Shirley 2050

It is a process of elimination really. Doctors need to run a whole range of tests to rule out other things such as cancer (my doctor first thought I had lymphoma) and it can be a lengthy process.

Posted Sep 8, 2017 by Sam 1400

A rheumatologist diagnosed Fibromyalgia in 2015, but I was not responding to meds so GP did the immune panel of blood tests and mine came back with off the charts reactivated Epstein Barr Virus. Since doctors are NOT taught about using anti-virals (they generally just leave viruses alone) by the time I had done the research AND fought for long term high dose anti-viral (Valtrex) EBV was entrenched and so was ME/CFS. It took only 4 years from initial, extraordinary fatigue after any exertion/exercise (a common early symptom) to being completely housebound & bedridden. Still fighting for SSDI and living off shrinking retirement funds. #SillySheets is a fundraiser I organized with a friend (12 years fighting ME/CFS) to benefit www.omf.ngo research. US government funding is essentially $5 per patient.

Posted Sep 8, 2017 by 2560

Process of elimination and presence of particular symptoms.

Although a few scientists are very close to a specific diagnostic test.

Posted Sep 10, 2017 by Sharon 1500

By elimination of other illness
Its usually after 6 months contant post viral illness u can be diagnosed
But these days its getting more compicated with pych doctors interferring

Posted Jan 17, 2018 by Annette 2500

If a patient gets their diagnosis from a doctor who is not a CFS-ME specialist, they should go to a specialist and get a confirmation through the latest diagnosis techniques. There are those who have been misdiagnosed because a doctor who assumes this is just overwork fatigue gives out the diagnosis to those who do not have the disease. I was diagnosed via T-cell testing, as well as fitting the criteria. I do not know how others are being diagnosed to date. I do know that the usual medical tests that have been done over and over for so many of us, are completely useless in diagnosing this disease. They usually come back normal and we are said to be 'fine' for which we are expected to leave happy. I have seen the list of those tests but cannot list it right now.

Posted Mar 2, 2018 by Beti 2700

Non-refreshing sleep for a period of months.
Tenderness or pain at specific anatomical points.
Exhaustion after simple tasks.
Breathlessness that does not result from hard work or exercise.
Weakness

Posted Aug 9, 2018 by cathy 2500

it takes years and multiple MDs to get an ME Dx
many exhaustive tests and humiliating appointments
but once Dx'd
ME patients need ME specialists
and Neurologists and Immunologists
all who are well versed in ME
and we have few to none

Posted Apr 6, 2019 by Fadra 2550

IOM or ICC criteria
PEM, OI, sleep, pain, cognitive problems

Posted Aug 3, 2019 by Jessica 1200

Go see a clinical ecologist to better understand the chemical origin of your disease. Acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners can also help you--community acupuncture is most affordable.

Posted Dec 12, 2019 by Joanna 6200

If you can find a doctor that will listen, I would give them the IC primer and then tell them your conditions that bother you. They might be able to help with many conditons that can be treated. ME does not have a cure.

Posted Dec 21, 2019 by Pam 3550

It’s very hard. They have to rule out all other possibilities, and even then they don’t want to diagnose you.

Posted Jan 17, 2021 by Emmy 2250