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CFS, or chronic fatigue syndrome, is one of several impairments for which both the cause and an effective course of treatment are both nebulous. Partly for this reason, CFS patients who have become disabled, unable to work, and have found it necessary to file for social security disability are routinely denied on claims for benefits. Fortunately, new information regarding the condition is coming forward.
Individuals suffering from CFS may have an inferior sense of their own particular threhold for fatigue. This is described as the point at which their chronic fatigue symptoms are worsensed by engaging in physical activity. The result of engaging in excessive physical activity or simply physical activity at the wrong time (perhaps when chronic fatigue symptoms are already on the upswing) is often an extended period of fatigue. It can also result in a cycle of anxiety and increased susceptibility to CFS symptons.
Apparently, as of yet, there are no medications that effectively deal with chronic fatigue symptoms. However, there are other approaches that exist which are designed to mediate and hopefully reduce CFS symptoms, or at least their severity.
One approach is CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT involves managing an individual's sleep cycle, and providing psychological input and advice, the goal being to improve a patient's tolerance to activities that have had the effect of exacerbating their fatigue and pain symptoms.
Another approach is GET, or graded exercise therapy. With GET, daily activity levels are monitored to ascertain a person's threshold point for experiencing chronic fatigue symptoms. Once that has been decided, an attempt is made to manage a person's activity habits to avoid crossing the threshold point.
Are either of these strategies proven and effective? Research is ongoing to determine if either approach may be of benefit to cancer patients who are experiencing fatigue, presumably after chemotherapy.
For additional information on social security disability benefits, the site Social Security Disability Secrets provides a Social Security Disability FAQ page.
Comments
Actually, these are two of the least effective treatments for CFS. Pacing has been shown to be the most effective with the least damaging side effects. A nutritional approach to CFS is helpful, too. You can learn more at www.chronic-fatigue-community.com/HomePage .
From a recent survey among Dutch CFS-patients:
(page 4; english summary)
Conclusions
This pilot study, based on subjective experiences of ME/CFS sufferers, does not confirm the high success rates regularly claimed by research into the effectiveness of CBT for ME/CFS.
Over all, CBT for ME/CFS does not improve patients’ well-being: more patients report
deterioration of their condition rather than improvement.
Our conclusion is that the claims in scientific publications about the effectiveness of this therapy based on trials in strictly controlled settings within universities, has been overstated and are therefore misleading. The findings of a subgroup analysis also contradict reported
findings from research in strictly regulated settings.
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There are other recent surveys from England, Norway and Belgium, all showing similar, negative results.
Forcing people with this disease to exercise can lead to permanent damage. "Least effective" is a kind assessment.
People with myalgic encephalomyelitis (aka "chronic fatigue syndrome") actually have a realistic understanding of their physical condition. When they err, it tends to be on the side of overdoing, not taking it too easy.
GET and CBT are the treatments recommended by the NICE Guidelines in the UK, which is under fire from ME/CFS Associations and patients. Here are results from 10 surveys that together clearly show that GET and CBT are NOT effective for ME/CFS. wamcare.blogspot.com/2009/07/results-from-10-surveys-re-mecfs.html
Exercise can make people with ME much worse, sometimes irreversibly. It is a dangerous treatment, and forcing patients to exercise is unethical.
A book "RECOVERY FROM CFS - 50 PERSONAL STORIES" has recently become a bestseller on Amazon. It contains 50 stories of recovery from CFS from 50 men, women and children from 6 different countries. Each author offers advice, suggests therapies, books and websites which helped them and some give contact numbers for support. It is a very positive book and a massive resource for anyone with CFS/ME. For FREE stories from the book sign up on www.alexbarton.co.uk To buy the book go to Amazon.
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