Many people with ME have one or more additional diseases (known as comorbidities). Commonly co-morbid with ME are fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS, increased heart rate when standing), gastroparesis/irritable bowel syndrome (bloating and constipation), and Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (hyperextensibility). Some of these conditions can also be triggered by infection.
ME is a neurological condition that affects the nervous and immune systems. It can cause debilitating symptoms including post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive problems. People of all ages can get ME, although it is more common in children and women. Some people recover from ME, but others remain severely ill for years.
There is no known cure for ME, and it cannot be treated with medicine. However, patients can take steps to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
ME patients often report being misunderstood by friends, family and colleagues. They may also experience a lack of understanding and discrimination from health and social care professionals, particularly in the UK. The campaign group Action for ME and other charities provide support to patients, their families and carers. They can also help with information about benefits, services and support for children affected by ME/CFS.
It is important to remember that quizzes like this aren’t scientific, and don’t give you a medical diagnosis. But they can remove the guesswork and can be a fun way to learn more about yourself or your family.
Those who have ME, sometimes called chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, feel as though their bodies are perpetually exhausted and they never have enough energy to complete everyday tasks. The illness can be triggered by viral infections, such as long Covid or flu, but it is not clear what causes ME. Research has found that ME is not due to depression or other psychological factors, nor does it result from exercise, work or stress.
It’s a complex illness with no laboratory test and a symptom set that overlaps with several other diseases, so it can be difficult to diagnose. It can also take up to a decade before a person gets a correct diagnosis.
ME can be triggered by many different things, from surgery or dental work to major hormonal changes. The symptoms can develop suddenly or build up over time. Adults with ME may experience PEM, unrefreshing sleep, difficulty concentrating and a range of other symptoms including pain, dizziness or fainting, bloating and constipation and a sensitivity to temperature change. Children and teenagers may have similar symptoms but experience them more acutely.
GPs can help patients with ME/CFS by having an accurate knowledge of the illness and knowing what to look for. Our booklet Newly diagnosed with ME contains advice for patients and their GPs, facts about ME, guidance to help them be active partners in their own care and suggested questions they might want to ask their GPs.