| u have been issued a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue | | | | Once you are diagnosed and have obtained as |
| Syndrome (CFS). You have probably been visiting | | | | much information as possible, you will need to |
| doctors and other health care professionals for | | | | make some decisions regarding your treatment. |
| some time and have been frustrated by the lack | | | | By seeking out and consulting with a reputable |
| of empathy and knowledge available to you. The | | | | physician who is empathetic and experienced in |
| following are a few suggestions to assist you in | | | | treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you will have |
| managing your illness. | | | | taken the first step in the medical management |
| After receiving a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue | | | | of your symptoms. Not everything your doctor |
| Syndrome, you will want to obtain as much | | | | recommends will work for you. |
| knowledge as possible. This knowledge can, and | | | | Unfortunately, the relief you felt when you were |
| should, enable you to make more informed | | | | finally diagnosed may disappear as you begin the |
| decisions when choosing a medical provider and | | | | battle to return to a normal life. It is important |
| treatment plan. Another good source of | | | | that you listen to your doctor, do your research |
| information is a support group. A good support | | | | and give each treatment option ample time for |
| group can provide not only updates on the most | | | | success. It may be quite some time before you |
| recent medical knowledge but can be a rich | | | | determine what works for you. Additionally, it is |
| source of anecdotal knowledge – that is, | | | | important to remember that the search for an |
| the knowledge that can only come from CFS | | | | empathetic physician in and of itself may be a |
| sufferers themselves. | | | | chore. Don’t give up. Ask for referrals at |
| Many Chronic Fatigue sufferers have found that | | | | support group meetings or on online forums. |
| keeping a journal helps them in determining what | | | | There is help out there. |
| works best for them. By documenting diet, | | | | Your physician will probably suggest that you seek |
| symptoms, and even your feelings about your | | | | the advice of a nutritionist. Today’s |
| illness, you will be better prepared to discuss your | | | | medicine can only treat the symptoms of CFS, |
| illness with your health care providers and to | | | | not cure it. A sensible, nutrient-rich diet is also |
| share this information in a support group if you | | | | imperative to managing your illness. In addition to |
| choose. You may also find that the help of a | | | | the help of a nutritionist, you may need to spend |
| professional mental health professional will assist | | | | some time working on yourself. Regular exercise, |
| you in overcoming the frustration of dealing with | | | | massage therapy, and or learning relaxation |
| the illness you have been diagnosed with and | | | | techniques will alleviate some of the symptoms |
| society’s view of your illness. | | | | and make living with CFS more bearable. |