Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndome

Right now, there is no treatment that works to cure chronic fatigue syndome. The good news is there are things you can do to feel better, increase the level at which you can function, and improve your quality of life.

Talking with your health care provider about treatments for your symptoms, along with ways to manage your fatigue, is a good place to start. And, building a good relationship with your provider is key to managing your illness over time. This will help you to talk more freely with your provider about your symptoms, which can improve the treatment of your illness. Keep in mind your provider may need to learn more about chronic fatigue syndome to better help you. If you feel your provider doesn't know a lot about chronic fatigue syndome or has doubts about whether it is a "real" illness, see another provider for a second opinion. Try a local university medical school or research center for help with finding providers with expertise in chronic fatigue syndome.

Medications can work to relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin, Alleve), can help with body aches, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. Non-drowsy antihistamines can relieve allergy symptoms, such as runny nose and itchy eyes. While there is no proof these practices help, some people report symptom relief with massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. Physical activity and exercise can also help with symptom relief, but be sure to talk with your provider about developing an activity and exercise program that's best for you. For some people, physical activity and exercise can worsen symptoms.

Drugs used to treat depression, or antidepressants, are sometimes used to treat chronic fatigue syndome. This is because studies have found that people with fibromyalgia, an illness similar to chronic fatigue syndome, get relief from taking these drugs. Some experts believe these drugs improve the quality of sleep, helping decrease fatigue with chronic fatigue syndome. Two types of antidepressants are most often prescribed by providers - low-dose tricyclic antidepressants or the newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).