Other symptoms that may be associated with CFS/ME include: The diagnosis can only be confirmed after three months of persistent long term symptoms, but only if the symptoms cannot be explained by any other condition. Inability to engage fully in work, educational, social or personal activities is a common symptom.Difficulty concentrating or multitasking.Difficulties with conscious physical or mental activities, such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering (cognitive difficulties), sometimes described as 'brain fog'.Broken or shallow sleep, altered sleep pattern or excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia).Feeling exhausted, feeling flu-like and stiff on waking.Unrefreshing sleep problems or sleep disturbance, which may include:.Has a prolonged recovery time that may last hours, days, weeks or longer.Is much greater that you would expect for that particular activity.Often doesn't start until hours or days after the activity.Post-exertional malaise (PEM): feeling unwell with no energy after activities, with a worsening of symptoms that:.
Extreme tiredness (fatigue) that is worsened by activity, but is not caused by excessive exertion, and is not significantly relieved by rest.Chronic fatigu syndrome CFS should be suspected if the following symptoms are not explained by any other condition, and persist for a minimum of six weeks in adults, or four weeks in children and young people: The onset of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms can be fairly sudden (over a few days or so), or more gradual. What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms The diagnosis is made in people who have a certain set of symptoms (which can vary in their type and severity). There is no test to diagnose the condition. The impacts are variable in severity, but can involve flare-ups and relapses even if symptoms are well managed. How long does chronic fatigue syndrome last?Ĭhronic fatigue syndrome is a fluctuating condition in which your symptoms can change unpredictably in nature and severity over a day, week or longer.