by Grace Ward

Created on: July 29, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)is treated symptom by symptom. I will use CFS as the abbreviation for this illness throughout this article.

So, what treatments are used for CFS?

There is one type of medication that is used universally for CFS that is controversial at best, and that is anti-depressants, not one specific one, like the commercials would like you to believe. Treating physicians use these anti-depressants because research says they should. They claim the seritonin levels need regulating or that re-uptake inhibitors are necessary to calm the brain down. Some anti-depressants affect the nor epinephrine levels, dopamine levels. Everyone's system is different and there are many different anti-depressants to choose from. But these don't get rid of the illness in any way shape or form.

People with CFS are treated with anti-depressants on a trail and error basis, until at least some of the depression symptoms or mood swings and some of the pain is decreased. Some of these medications help with the ability to focus (a very real issue with many with this disease).

Sleep Aids are given to people with CFS. You may ask; "Why give sleep aids to someone who is tired all the time?" Most of the people with CFS are put on a sleep aid to help maintain a regular schedule of sleep. It isn't a very reliable treatment as the disease has significant ups and downs during the day even after "a good nights sleep". The people with CFS cam wake up as tired as they were when they went to sleep. Research studies recommend people with CFS not to take naps. These researchers aren't living with the sudden loss of energy and sleepiness that comes with CFS either. So it is on a case by case basis on whether a person takes that nap or just rests for 20 minutes or so. Many say that they must have that 2-3 hour nap or they can't function at all the rest of the night. And they want to function.

CFS is such a complex disease that a person who gets it knows something is wrong and goes from doctor to doctor to find relief. This is not because the doctors don't believe in it these days, it is just now receiving the respect that it deserves, it is because many doctors can't deal with this illness because the treatments are so vague and their patients are in misery and the doctors want to help but don't know how.

People with CFS search for doctors who will listen to them and not be afraid to try new

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