Many people become confused by the number of different symptoms involved in this illness and indeed when I was researching prior to diagnosis, I found I had many more symptoms than the documents described. I later found that most of my symptoms were experienced by other sufferers - I wasn't going crazy. In view of this and the lack of 'real ' data I have decided to provide my own list of symptoms. Hopefully this may show you the range that can be experienced. However, no two sufferers are alike - some exhibit less or even more symptoms; they may be bedbound, or housebound but able to move about, some may be able to do some physical activity, others may even be able to work part or full-time...we are all very different and as such will present different symptoms in differing degrees!
My Personal Symptom List
Extreme Fatigue and exhaustion
No stamina for exertion – weakness and fatigue after normal physical activity (e.g. standing up, brushing hair, taking a shower etc.)
Weakness in limbs – loss of muscle power
Feelings of shakiness
Visible tremors
Dizziness:
Type 1) On standing – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia
Type 2) Vertigo
Myoclonus - jerking movements
Itching, pins and needles and vibration like sensations particularly in hands, feet, limbs and stomach.
Headaches
Shooting pains across head and into the back of eyes
Objects in peripheral vision shake and move about
Pain in eyes
Tinnitus
Muffled hearing
Ear pain
Hearing Loss
Noise Sensitivity
Slurred speech
Memory Problems and Forgetfulness
Word-finding Difficulties
Concentration Difficulties
Irritable bowel – diarrhoea, constipation and pain
Stomach pain
Low blood sugar attacks
Nausea
Muscle Pain
Pain in joints of hands and feet
Poor circulation in hands and feet
Disequilibrium - frequent falls
Disorientation
Clumsiness - dropping things. bumping into and tripping over objects
Nightsweats
Hot flushes/ sweats/ chills
Hypersomnia
Insomnia
Sleep reversal
Rosacea
Eczema
Shortness of breath (on exertion)
Palpitations and pain in chest
Pain in the armpits and groin
Jaw pain during the act of chewing
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Mood swings
Tearfulness
Frequent viral illnesses/continued flu-like feelings
For more information on the range of symptoms check out my other posts titled THE FEATURES OF ME/CFS, LOW-DOWN ON ME/CFS - PARTS 1,2 AND 3 AND MY OWN DANCE WITH THE SANDMAN.
Many people become confused by the number of different symptoms involved in this illness and indeed when I was researching prior to diagnosis, I found I had many more symptoms than the documents described. I later found that most of my symptoms were experienced by other sufferers - I wasn't going crazy. In view of this and the lack of 'real ' data I have decided to provide my own list of symptoms. Hopefully this may show you the range that can be experienced. However, no two sufferers are alike - some exhibit less or even more symptoms; they may be bedbound, or housebound but able to move about, some may be able to do some physical activity, others may even be able to work part or full-time...we are all very different and as such will present different symptoms in differing degrees!
My Personal Symptom List
Extreme Fatigue and exhaustion
No stamina for exertion – weakness and fatigue after normal physical activity (e.g. standing up, brushing hair, taking a shower etc.)
Weakness in limbs – loss of muscle power
Feelings of shakiness
Visible tremors
Dizziness:
Type 1) On standing – Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia
Type 2) Vertigo
Myoclonus - jerking movements
Itching, pins and needles and vibration like sensations particularly in hands, feet, limbs and stomach.
Headaches
Shooting pains across head and into the back of eyes
Objects in peripheral vision shake and move about
Pain in eyes
Tinnitus
Muffled hearing
Ear pain
Hearing Loss
Noise Sensitivity
Slurred speech
Memory Problems and Forgetfulness
Word-finding Difficulties
Concentration Difficulties
Irritable bowel – diarrhoea, constipation and pain
Stomach pain
Low blood sugar attacks
Nausea
Muscle Pain
Pain in joints of hands and feet
Poor circulation in hands and feet
Disequilibrium - frequent falls
Disorientation
Clumsiness - dropping things. bumping into and tripping over objects
Nightsweats
Hot flushes/ sweats/ chills
Hypersomnia
Insomnia
Sleep reversal
Rosacea
Eczema
Shortness of breath (on exertion)
Palpitations and pain in chest
Pain in the armpits and groin
Jaw pain during the act of chewing
Anxiety
Panic Attacks
Depression
Mood swings
Tearfulness
Frequent viral illnesses/continued flu-like feelings
For more information on the range of symptoms check out my other posts titled THE FEATURES OF ME/CFS, LOW-DOWN ON ME/CFS - PARTS 1,2 AND 3 AND MY OWN DANCE WITH THE SANDMAN.