Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include various unusual forms of exhaustion that are fairly specific and help to rule out other disorders that can cause fatigue.

Common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome

The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome tend to be daily and ongoing. As a rule, you must have at least four of the other symptoms (besides fatigue) to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. At times, any of these symptoms can be severe:

• Fatigue more severe than any you’ve experienced before
• Fatigue that arises after less than half your typical exertion
• Fatigue that comes on within a few hours or days and lasts at least 6 months
• Fatigue that is not relieved by bed rest or a solid night’s sleep
• Fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after exercise you usually think of as easy to moderate
• Fatigue that restricts daily activities
• Headache that is unlike previous headaches
• Lymph node tenderness, especially in the neck or armpit
• Migratory joint pain (moves from joint to joint without swelling or redness)
• Mild fever (101 degrees Fahrenheit or less)
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Sore throat

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, chronic fatigue syndrome can be a serious condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have depression severe enough to result in suicidal thoughts.