Understand ME, CFS, and Mono
Tiredness is a common theme for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Mononucleosis, but all three are distinct conditions on their own accord, but often misunderstood as being the same.
I was diagnosed with cfs 20 plus years ago, I was fifteen at the time, and I was overwhelmed with the numerous overlapping medical conditions that came with the extreme fatigue I was feeling. In this article I’m going to outline the difference between ME, CFS, and Mono, which are commonly linked together as one.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME): Myalgic means muscle pain, Encepho means brain, and Myelitis means inflammation of the spinal cord. There is the experience of an extended period of fatigue and the immune system is compromised. Because of this I thought this was another name for chronic fatigue, but I found out that myalgic encephalomyelitis has a known time period that the person obtained ME and is associated with organ pathology which isn’t consistent with chronic fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Chronic: an illness that remains for a long period of time, the criteria to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome is a consistent tiredness for more than six months, Fatigue: a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion, and Syndrome: a set of concurrent symptoms indicating the presence and nature of a disease. However if you feel unwell and tired for a few weeks, you need to be examined by a doctor to rule out any other medical conditions, like anemia, thyroid problem, yeast and urine tract infection, toxins, gluten intolerance, which will affect your energy.
Others Symptoms experienced are: Sleep difficulties/unrefreshing sleep, Post-exertional malaise (within 12-24 hours), Impaired memory or concentration, Muscle pain, Multi-joint pain, Headaches of new type, pattern or severty, Sore throat, Tender lymph nodes in the armpit and neck.
Mononucleosis or referred to as mono: is an acute herpes infection caused by the epstein-barr virus (EBV). Common signs are sore throat, fever, and swollen glands. Young people are most affected with it. I was fifteen at the time of being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, so I was tested for mono many times, but the results always came back negative.
Clarity between ME and CFS came after reading an article written by Dr. Byron Hyde, who is the founder of the nightingale research foundation, and named after Florence Nightingale, who was conflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. I’m grateful for finding out about that organization when I first was diagnosed with chronic fatigue in 1985.
I hope this clarifies chronic fatigue syndrome, but others like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Mononucleosis that have also been referred to as cfs, but stand alone as their own separate identities, and their symptoms. You can find out more on how I managed my chronic fatigue symptoms and created better health for myself in my article, What is the best treatment for CFS? All the best in your healing journey!
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Hi I have had M.E/CFS since 2000 , when i spent 3 years bedridden with the symptoms, I was very frightened as i didn’t know what was causing me to be so ill. I had blood tests but came back with mild Glandular fever, But I also had severe flu symptoms and was isolated on an estate by myself. In 2003 I was told I had CFS and sent away to deal with symptoms by myself. I later became part of a support group which gave me a lot of information so I knew what I was dealing with. Nowadays I still have M.E. ten years later but I have my partner around to help me if I`m very bad, but I can get out on my good days but have to be careful what i do as when i feeling recovered i`ll get a really bad day that puts me right back. I do recommend joining a support group even if you cant get there and you just get sent the information about M.E/CFS.