What are the Symptoms of CFS/ME?

The short answer to this is ‘many and various‘, and it is common for people to have a  different combination of symptoms from others also diagnosed with the illness.  It is important to remember that while the illness is often life-changing, the symptoms are not life-threatening.  Nevertheless, the symptoms can be very unpleasant, and it is their persistence that most people find so devastating.

The most usual effects are:-

• a debilitating fatigue, often after little or no effort, that is persistent and isn’t relieved by normal rest or sleep
• painful joints and muscles, and sometimes twitching muscles
• sensitivity to loud noise, bright lights and temperature extremes
• ‘mental fog’ – difficulties in comprehension, short term memory, and concentration
• headaches and sore throats
• flu-like symptoms, particularly after over-long activity
• digestive problems and nausea
• tender and swollen lymph glands
• mood extremes.

The symptoms can also appear in children, from a very early age right through into their  teenage years.