Does anyone know anything about CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)?

I have been having some trouble lately, from exhaustion to swollen sore lymphnodes, to mood swings and sore throat that somethings feels like it is sweeling. I have been to the doctor and had bloodwork and it is all normal. They gave me penicillian and told me to come back a the end of 7 days and we would go from there. For months my hands and the joints of my hands have been sore and tender. I rub them and although it is sore it is somewhat of a relieving ache. My right knee clear down my calve is very sore. My feet ache, I am so tired all of the time and sometimes feel like I just cant go anymore. I have headaches that are sometimes mild and others are enough to make me lay down. I sometimes get low grade fevers for no reason at all. When I am feeling my worst, everything that goes on in my house seems amplified by a million. I also get these dizzy spells at times and I begin to sweat, yet bloodwork shows nothing.....My boss mentioned to me to ask my doc about CFS?

Have you been thoroughly tested for Lyme Disease? Have you had any recent major dental work (e.g. root canals, crowns or extractions which can cause a chronic local infection that releases toxins into the blood stream - poisoning the body systemically)? Have you been tested for celiac disease?

Lyme disease is my 'best bet', with dental work or other chronic, low-grade local infection as my 'second bet'.

It is important to understand that CFS is NOT a diagnosis. It is a meaningless label given to patients with chronic fatigue and related symptoms when the doctor can not determine the CAUSE of those symptoms. Patients tend to like the label because it validates their suffering, but as a label it does not equal diagnosing the cause of the problem.

The only way to properly rule-out these common (yet rarely diagnosed) causes of problems like you describe, is to see doctors that specialize in each of them.

Best wishes and good luck.

Here is a great website for CFS and some other conditions.

In the old days, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was called "nervous exhaustion." It was thought to be a neurosis. In fact, it still is thought to be a neurosis by most psychiatrists. The fact that your symptoms include what appears to be migraines makes it more likely you have CFS. Doctors have already checked you out for physical ailments and have apparently ruled out mononucleosis and whatever. All that's left for you to do is see a psychiatrist.

Incidentally, psychological symptoms can be triggered by physical trauma. For example; V.A. hospital clinics are full of soldiers suffering from chronic ataxia resulting from explosions that stunned the senses but did no neurological damage. Hysterical blindness, common among combat veterans, is similar. I had a cousin who came down with a severe case of mononucleosis that coincided with menarche. Although the virus was eventually overcome, she has suffered from chronic tiredness well into her thirties and has developed several additional psycho-somatic symptoms. She still lives at home and is unable to work. Her mother has taken her to one specialist after another looking for cures. Finally she relented and mercifully took her to a psychiatrist.

CFS is a recently recognised disorder that mainly affects people(more women than men)between the ages of 20 & 40. Other names for the syndrome are post-viral fatigue syndrome & myalgic encedphalomyelitis. The latter is considered a misnomer as no demonstrable evidence of the muscle or brain inflammation suggested by the name has been found in sufferers from this syndrome. The cause is unknown, although various viral infections have been suspected of triggering the syndrome.
SYMPTOMS:Persistent or intermittent fatigue, aggravated by minor excersise, that causes significant disruption to lifestyle & employment.
Muscle aches at rest or on mild excertion.
Poor concentration & difficulty completing mental tasks that were easy before the onset of syndrome.
Short-term memory impairment.
Sleep disorders.
Sometimes depression.
DIAGNOSIS:The diagnosis is made when symptoms have persisted for 6 months & all other possible causes have been excluded by the history, physical examination & appropriate tests.
TREATMENT:Ther is no satisfactory drug treatment available for CFS. Antidepressants are advised only if depression & sleep disturbances are prominent features. Recovery is unually spontaneous but slow. Those suffering from CFS need support & reassurance that they will eventually feel better, & they should be encouraged to maintain some degree of physical & social activity.
I hope this can be of some help.
Reagards Starlet.