Treatment:

There is currently no cure for CFS. Instead, the symptoms are treated. Many people with CFS experience depression and other psychological problems that may improve with treatment.

Some of the proposed treatments include:

• Antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir)
• Drugs to fight yeast infections (such as nystatin)
• Medications to reduce pain, discomfort, and fever
• Medications to treat anxiety (antianxiety drugs)
• Medications to treat depression (antidepressant drugs)

Some medications can cause adverse reactions or side effects that are worse than the original symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Patients with CFS are encouraged to maintain active social lives. Mild physical exercise may also be helpful.

Expectations (prognosis):

The long-term outlook for patients with CFS is variable and difficult to predict when symptoms first start. Some patients have been reported to completely recover after 6 months to a year. Others may take longer for a complete recovery.

Some patients report never returning to their pre-illness state. Most studies report that patients treated in an extensive rehabilitation program are more likely to recover completely than those patients who don't seek treatment.

Complications:

• Depression (related both to symptoms and lack of diagnosis)
• Lifestyle restrictions (some people are so fatigued that they are essentially disabled during the course of the illness)
• Side effects and adverse reactions to medication treatments
• Social isolation caused by fatigue

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience persistent, severe fatigue, with or without other symptoms of this disorder. Other more serious disorders can cause similar symptoms and should be ruled out.

See also:Chronic fatigue syndrome - resources