Here is part 2 of some of the basics of CFS.  If you missed part one, you can go here:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Basics - Part 1

The Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The symptoms and severity can change over time in individual people. In addition to the extreme fatigue caused by CFS, usually lasting at least six months or more, there are eight other symptoms that characterize the condition. These include:

1. Feeling unrefreshed after sleeping
2. Post-exertional malaise, or feeling extra tired after some type of exertion
3. Muscle pain
4. Pain throughout multiple joints
5. Impaired memory or concentration skills
6. Sore throat
7. Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck and or armpit
8. Headaches that reoccur or change in their severity or pattern

Some other possible symptoms of CFS include:

- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Painful menstrual cycles
- Dry, irritated eyes and visual disturbances
- Dry mouth
- Decreased or impaired circulation to the hands and feet
- Intolerance to alcohol
- Depression, anxiety, panic attacks
- Irritability
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Chronic cough

Conditions Similar to CFS

There are numerous medical conditions and illnesses that have been compared to or associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Including fibromyalgia, neurasthenia, chronic mononucleosis, myalgic, encephalomyelitis, and a heightened sensitivity to multiple chemicals. In the past, CFS has been mistakenly attributed to illnesses such as anemia, candidiasis (a yeast infection throughout the body), hypoglycemia, and even environmental allergies.

CFS is a complex disorder that often causes severe debilitation, possibly lingering for years at a time. Research to learn more about Chronic Fatigue syndrome has been going on for over 20 years, and signs of the condition have been baffling doctors for over a century. Scientists continue to persevere, trying to learn more about the condition, making strides toward learning the answers they need for curing this mysterious illness.

It seems that for many, the twin sister of fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue syndrome.  I am blessed that I only have to deal with one sister.  I know my mother has had to deal with both of these degenerative deseases, and so being a bit familiar with them both, I thought I would provide some basic information on CFS.  This is going to be two parts.  The first part will be the background and diagnosis.  The second part will deal with symptoms.

Experts believe that as many as one million people in the United States alone may be suffering from what is commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This debilitating illness can vary in severity from the mild to the extreme, and for many, it may disrupt every aspect of their lives.

The issue of defining Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one that's been subject to much debate amongst the medical community. In the early 1980s, CFS was dubbed "the yuppie flu" and then referred to as chronic EBV, for the Epstein-Barr virus, which was named for scientists who discovered the herpes-type virus in 1964.

A diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

People of all ages, race, and gender can be affected by CFS, but the illness is more commonly diagnosed in women who are in the 40 to 50 year age range. Since there are no outward physical signs or specific, standard tests for CFS, a true diagnosis can only be made through a careful evaluation by physicians who are both familiar with the illness, and who also have a willingness to make an ongoing effort to treat and understand the disease.

In order for one's fatigue and tiredness to be considered severe, it must meet or exceed the following criteria:

- Fatigue is not relieved or does not improve after resting
- Being tired is not the result of strenuous activity or physical labor
- Fatigue interferes with your ability to function properly in your daily life
- Fatigue worsens during or after an illness and increases with both mental and physical exertion

This is an article submitted by an anonymous guest blogger.  She has really done some research that I think we all can benefit from.  I know that taking medication can really help and may be necessary, I continue to believe that the best and long term results will come from a healthier, natural approach to relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and for improving the quality of life.

Your feedback would appreciated, as well as your experience with supplements.

Suffering with the all over pain associated with fibromyalgia can be frustrating. Trying to find something that will not only help you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms but alleviate them. If you are like many people, you are looking for more natural fibromyalygia treatment options.  There are a number of different alternative therapies you could choose from. Here is a quick reference list of the best natural fibromyalgia treatments on the market.

Each of these items is available at your local health food store, organic market and in some of the better grocery stores.

Detox 7 or Nature’s Secret Cleanse and Flush – both of these are listed because Detox 7 requires you to drink a solution that many may not find favorable and take a supplement. The other is only supplemental pills. While neither is geared specifically for fibromyalgia, the cleansing that these products perform, removing all of the built of toxins in your body helps alleviate a lot of the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Vitamin D will help the anxiety and depression that many people with fibromyalgia experience. While there hasn’t been any scientific research to support that vitamin D has anything to do with the musculoskeletal issues, a deficiency in vitamin D can increase the occurrence of depression and anxiety which are also fibromyalgia symptoms.

Another natural fibromyalgia treatment option is incorporating the supplement 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) into your diet. 5-HTP has been shown to increase levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps block pain. Taking this supplement daily will decrease the number of tender points, your fatigue, anxiety, and stiffness and improve your sleep.

These are only a couple of the natural fibromyalgia treatments available, but they are the best available. It is also to remember that your diet plays an important role in the management of your fibromyalgia. Try to avoid eating foods that have a lower inflammation rating. As always please consult you doctor before you begin taking any supplement to make sure that it does not interact with any other medication you are taking.

On our main site, we have a page about Fibromyalgia Tenderpoints.  This post is an expansion of that.  You can go to our main site for more information about Tenderpoints.

When having an ailment, in this case a syndrome, it is essential to understand everything about the challenge at hand, especially when it is fibromyalgia.  The common analysis is that your body is in constant pain due to the slightest pressure in areas of muscle. In this article you will find that there are certain areas in the body called fibromyalgia tender points, where the pain specifically occurs.  There are 18 tender points overall in nine bilateral locations for us to explore.

your knees - Are an area that everyone has an easy time attesting to pain when fibromyalgia is concerned.  There is an area around your knee that originates at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line.  When looking at a anatomy chart it is located around the inside area of both knees.

greater trochanter - In medical terms its the posterior to the trochanteric promince.  In civilian terms that means right below your buttocks around the hip area.

gluteal area -  Working our way up the body the gluteal is in the upper, outer area of the buttocks in the anterior fold of muscle.  Basically stating its around your waistline area.

lateral epicondyle -  If you are sitting at a table and lay your arms out with palms up you can look around the front side of your elbow area on the outer region.  It can also mean the 2cm distal to the epicondyles.

supraspinatus -  is located above the spine of the scapula, close to the medial border.  Think of this as your shoulder blade area. 

second rib -  the upper area, located lateral to the costochondral junction.  You can feel this area right around the collarbone.

trapezius -  is located at the midpoint of the upper border.  A great way to figure this out is the next time someone massages your shoulders the area where their thumbs are is the region of the trapezius.

lower cervical region -  The anterior aspects of the inter-transverse spaces at C5-C7.  If you place your fingers on the front of your neck and slide them down until they hit the collarbone area you will have located the lower cervical region.

occiput -  This is located in the back of your head situated at the low end of the cranium.  Giving a massage, you can place your hands at each side of a person's neck and use your thumbs to work this area.

If you feel that several of these areas are painful you should consult your physician.  When examined, doctors use the 11/18 rule where if eleven out of the eighteen regions result in positive testing to determine if you have fibromyalgia.  It may even be wise for you to have a friend, spouse or other relative test the locations of the fibromyalgia tender points.  As opposed to doing it yourself when you know your own pain tolerance.

Here is the remainder of the Natural  Relief Alternatives for Fibro.

Natural Alternatives

As stated previously, there are many alternative treatments that are now available for the fibromyalgia sufferer. Recently, the first approved prescription for Fibromyalgia was released, Lyrica. There are also many other prescriptions such as Flexeril, Darvacet, and Neurontin that have been used for Fibromyalgia. However, these medications often just take away the pain, but leave us with a wide array of side effects like depression, abdominal pain, irritability, and similar symptoms. More and more fibromyalgia sufferers are starting to lean towards natural fibromyalgia treatment. The following details some great natural alternatives for this medical condition.

• Magnesium is a wonderful solution for those that suffer from low energy as a result of fibromyalgia symptoms. This natural supplement is extremely beneficial in providing energy to the cells throughout the body. This helps to ensure that the individual experiences less pain, more energy, and sleeps more effectively when the body is exhausted.
• Individuals who experience complications when it comes to falling asleep and staying asleep have been found to have low Melatonin levels. If you experience this, you may benefit from taking Melatonin supplements approximately one hour before bedtime. This substance helps to regulate the normal sleep cycle.
• If you find that you suffer from severe mood swings, irritability, and similar symptoms, you may benefit from adding the natural relief of Black Cohosh Root.

As you can see, there are many natural fibromyalgia treatments that are appropriate for the relief of the common fibromyalgia symptoms. In addition to the above listed remedies, you may also select from acupuncture, physical therapy, and various types of support groups. The most important thing is to select a natural relief option that suits you and the fibromyalgia symptoms that you personally experience.

It's been a while since my last post.  I took some time off, but certainly not time in getting relief from my pain.  If you've been f0llowing this blog, you'll know I prefer natural alternatives for relief over takign prescription drugs.  I have put together a 2-part summary of some natural alternatives… some I've used, others that some in this community have used.

There are many individuals around the world that suffer from the devastating effects of fibromyalgia. This medical condition is not considered to be life threatening, but it can be extremely challenging to the individual that suffers with it. I have suffered from the symptoms of fibromyalgia for many years now. I can honestly say that it is a very overwhelming condition that can affect every area of your life. There are many over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions that can assist in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, but natural fibromyalgia treatment seems to be the top choice among all sufferers. Here, you will learn about natural alternatives for fibromyalgia relief.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

There are many fibromyalgia symptoms. While each sufferer experiences their own unique set of symptoms, there are many that are considered common among all fibromyalgia sufferers. Listed below are some of these devastating conditions:

• The single most common symptom that is common with fibromyalgia is pain. This pain occurs in the muscles and tendons in the body. Cramping of the muscles and tightness is quite possible.
• Most individuals who have fibromyalgia experience the symptom of having decreased levels of energy. Many times, this low energy level is so severe that it actually interferes with basic day to day activities.
• The next fibromyalgia symptom includes that of complications in the sleep cycle. Many sufferers find it difficult to fall asleep easily, and others have a difficult time staying asleep for more than a few hours at a time.
• Individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia often experience situations in which they are sensitive to one or more things. These sensitivities may include lights, odors, foods, temperature, noise, foods, and even medications.
• Facial tenderness, especially in the area of the jaws, is one of the most common fibromyalgia symptoms as well.