I still don't see anything about CFS being a very wrong diagnosis for what is often the symptoms of food intolerance. Must this very common misdiagnosis be perpetuated, even by your site?

I think anyone who has no exercise program in their daily lives will benefit from adding something, especially CFS patients who have pain and fatigue with and without exercise. A program of a variety of exercise (walking, tai chi, yoga, swimming, weights)is very helpful, as is guided imagery. And, not too much advise on "how to cure" it or "it is really something else undiagnoised" is also helpful.

Check out Amir Norris website for the latest on CFS and Chronic Fatigue www.fatigueanswers.com

I don't think you can declare that CFS is strictly misdiagnosed food intolerance, although it's certainly true that food allergies can mimic its symptoms. There are multiple theories as to what creates CFS, but the causes are still unknown. Multiple viruses? Bacteria? Posttraumatic stress? Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? Food intolerance? All legitimate possibilities.

Since I've been teaching Tai Chi for Health to many CFS patients in Chronic Pain Rehab @ Cleveland Clinic, the payoff for patients seems to be their entry into the present moment as they feel chi flowing in their bodies. It's relief and an alternative to constantly monitoring pain. Slow movements also activate left & right sides of body and brain, encourage harmony within and greater energy and flexibility. When I give demos at support groups, patients frequently report, "I've never felt so much energy." And of course it was waiting to be tapped all along. How gloriously simple . . .

Tai Chi - perfect.
BR

I'm a little behind in seeing many of these threads. I'd like to add, for anyone suffering from CFS, that it is crucially important to get tested for food intolerances. Many, many people have wheat/gluten intolerances; these can cause and contribute to periods of fatigue and spaciness ("brain fog") and muscle achiness/ fibromyalgia type symptoms. This can be present with or without any GI symptoms. The type of test done is for "delayed" reaction (I get the IgG and IgE mixed up: it's whichever one is not the test for immediate reactions/ anaphylaxis). Oftentimes a regular allergist will not do an "intolerance" test, as it is theoretically not an "allergy." It is worth finding an integrative doctor who will test for food intolerances. However, if that is unavailable to you, you can try going without any gluten, dairy, or corn products for at least several days (minimum 4 days). All 3 are common intolerances, with wheat being the greatest. You could try eliminating one at a time. And be alert to all the many, many foods, including sauces and dressings, in which gluten appears. It is definitely worth a trial of eliminating these foods to see if you feel an improvement.

Another culprit for CFS symptoms can include "yeast" or candida that is in the gut and/or blood stream. There are tests for yeast titers and antibodies, although these tend to be on the alternative/ integrative medicine side. See if a doctor will do a trial of Nystatin or Diflucan for you, and not just for a few days or week or two -- longer term. Yeast can be a culprit especially if you've had antibiotic treatment over the years. It can cause terrible spaciness and body aches and lethargy. At first you will feel worse, when treated, because the yeast (which is really a type of internal fungal infection) give off little toxins when they're zapped. But there are lots of people that a trial of Nystatin or Diflucan has helped. In my opinion it's worth finding an alternative or integrative doctor, if your GP won't try Nystatin for you. Try eliminating sugar from your diet as well. (I find this terribly difficult to do, as I wrote in another thread).

Best to all,
Jenny