Signs & Symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or a major subset of that disorder. People with this condition may experience a wide variety of symptoms. Some myalgic encephalomyelitis patients recover completely, while others become progressively worse. Other people with this disorder have symptoms that come and go in no apparent pattern.

Primary Symptom

• The primary symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis is debilitating fatigue that does not improve with bed rest. It causes most people with the disorder to be much less active than they were before. The chronic fatigue must last at least 6 months for a diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Additional Fatigue Characteristics

• Myalgic encephalomyelitis has eight other official symptoms, some which address specifics of the fatigue. The person experiences exhaustion and increased symptoms after physical or mental exercise, and the exhaustion lasts over 24 hours. Additionally, sleep no longer feels refreshing.

Other Symptoms

• The other official signs include enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, impaired memory and concentration, headache of a new type or severity, joint pain without redness or swelling, persistent muscle pain and sore throat.

Gastrointestinal Problems

• People with myalgic encephalomyelitis report many other symptoms. Gastrointestinal problems include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and weight loss or weight gain.

Psychological Symptoms

• Psychological issues also are associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis, although they can be expected reactions to a debilitating disorder. These include depression, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks.

Additional Symptoms

• Additional symptoms reported include balance problems, chest pain, coughing, dizziness, dry mouth, earache, fainting, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, night sweats, shortness of breath, tingling sensations and visual disturbances.