Pots And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- Association And Any Suggestions?

[lynnie22]

About 15 years ago, I became so exhausted that I couldn't move, had vertigo and a sore throat. Finally I was diagnosed with CFS. It seemed to get better after about two years, but bouts of exhaustion came and went. Then I started having OI and exhaustion and Mayo diagnosed me with POTS. About three weeks ago, after a few months of dealing with the sleeplessness of a torn rotator cuff and frozen shoulder (not better yet), I became exhausted. I assumed it was simply sleep deprivation, but I also got that old familiar sore throat and dizziness. I think perhaps the CFS has returned, not sure. I've never been sure what CFS even is, but I've heard there is a correlation. I just wanted to know if any of you know the correlation, and what is the best approach to getting a diagnosis and treatment.

There's much going on in my neck of the woods -- I feel pretty overwhelmed. POTS, total exhaustion, now the other shoulder is going, significant weight loss for unknown reasons, struggling to go to work but getting harder and harder. And can't sleep because of the shoulders.

Thanks for listening.

[Chaos]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/full

Hi Lynnie. Sorry to hear you are having so many struggles to deal with right now. The above is a link to the International Consensus Criteria for ME (myalgic encephalomyalitis) which is another name for CFS. It might give you more info and help you understand the relationship between POTS and CFS.

Have to run right now but will try to write more later.

[lynnie22]

Hi Chaos,

I just wanted to thank you for the link. It has taken me a while to get online due to shoulders, etc. Really feeling like I am having a bout of CFS or something else -- exhaustion, sore throat, trouble breathing. Trying to find someone in NYC who can treat this -- the neuro with POTS doesn't treat these symptoms.

Thanks.

[Guest Alex]

Hi Lynnie,

so sorry to hear about your struggles.

While I don't really know much about CFS, reading about POTS I came upon several articles that connect CFS and POTS/dysautonomias. I'll include here links to those that I was able to retrieve tonight.

I hope you'll find a dr who will be able to help you.

Best,

Alex

http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/100/8/519.long

Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrom

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.12034/full

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome as a clinically important subgroup of chronic fatigue syndrome: further evidence for central nervous system dysfunctioning

http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/101/12/961.long

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is an under-recognized condition in chronic fatigue syndrome

http://www.clinsci.org/cs/122/0183/cs1220183.htm

Neurohumoral and haemodynamic profile in postural tachycardia and chronic fatigue syndromes

http://www.cfids.org/webinar/slides-090110.pdf

Managing Orthostatic Intolerance

http://www.clinsci.org/cs/122/0227/cs1220227.htm

Increasing orthostatic stress impairs neurocognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome with postural tachycardia syndrome

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241224/

A status report on chronic fatigue syndrome

http://www.cfids.org/webinar/oi-slides-32510.pdf

2010 webinar of the CFIDS association