Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.
This condition is also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Sometimes it’s abbreviated as ME/CFS.(Information from Mayo Clinic)
Typically, for an official diagnosis of CFS, an individual must have been sick for six (6) or more months with fatigue severe enough to reduce the individuals activity level by at least 50% and at least four of the following symptoms: impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle or multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise. Physicians must rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Associations/Groups:
International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (IACFS/ME)
To promote, stimulate and coordinate the exchange of ideas related to CFS, ME and fibromyalgia (FM) research, patient care and treatment.
The International Association for CFS/ME
ATTN: Dr. Fred Friedberg, IACFS/ME
P.O. Box 583
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Voice Mail : 301-634-7701
Email: iacfsmeorg@gmail.com
Contact: Contact Form
CFIDS Self Help
A non-profit organization offering low-cost online self-help courses and other resources for people affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM).
CFIDS & Fibromyalgia Self-Help Program
N9103 Duffin Road
Whitewater, WI 53190
Email: admin@cfidsselfhelp.org
Massachusetts CFIDS/FM Association
Works to educate health-care providers and the general public regarding these often severely-disabling physical illnesses.
PO Box 690305
Quincy, MA 02269-0305
Information Line: 617-471-5559 (Call for local support listing)
Contact: Contact Form
National CFIDS Foundation
Founded in 1997 by two 14 year CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome) advocates, the goals of the Foundation are to help fund medical research to find a cause, expedite treatments and eventually a cure for this devastating disease. The NCF also strives to provide information, education, and support to those people who have CFIDS (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and many other names) — as well as related illnesses such as Gulf War Illness (GWI) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).
285 Beach Ave
Hull, MA 02045
Phone: 781-925-5336
Email: info@ncf-net.org
Newsletter: The National Forum
The Solve ME/CFS Initiative (SMCI) is a non-profit disease organization that works to accelerate the discovery of safe and effective treatments, strives for an aggressive expansion of funding for research that will lead to a cure and seeks to engage the entire ME/CFS community in research. Through scientific research and advocacy, SMCI serves patients and researchers alike, serving as an information center for the entire ME/CFS community, and enabling SMCI to make an even stronger case for federal government ME/CFS spending, by generating verifiable and large data sets with reliable metrics.
Solve ME/CFS Initiative
350 North Glendale Avenue
Suite B #368
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone: 704-364-0016
Email: solvecfs@solvecfs.org
Other Information:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – US National Library of Medicine
CFS can often make you unable to do your usual activities. Sometimes you may not even be able to get out of bed.
Center for Disease Control – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems.
Additional Resources found on our Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet last updated on: 2/14/2023
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