A Doctor's Appointment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What To Expect on Your Fist Visit For CFS

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. 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?

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.