Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Also known as CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the name given to extreme and persistent physical exhaustion. People with the disorder often describe fatigue so intense that it causes physical pain; worse, rest does not alleviate symptoms.

There is no known cause, cure, or diagnosis method for CFS. Often, doctors only diagnose patients with the disorder after ruling out any other cause for a patient’s symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of CFS

The primary symptom of CFS is chronic fatigue. This isn’t simply feeling tired or sleepy – it’s an intense fatigue that doesn’t go away, often for months. Many individuals who suffer from the condition will find that symptoms make it nearly impossible to consistently perform daily tasks—the very reason Social Security offers a path to obtaining Lincoln disability benefits for individuals with severe cases.

Other symptoms a CFS patient may experience include:

  • Headache
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Muscle aches and cramping
  • Sore throat
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Low-grade fever
  • Swollen lymph glands

One of the problems in diagnosing CFS is that the symptoms can vary dramatically from patient to patient and change with the passage of time.

Treating the Symptoms

Because there isn’t a cure for CFS, your doctor will focus on managing your symptoms. It often helps to develop a personalized treatment plan, using both conventional and alternative techniques that other patients have found helpful, including antidepressants, pain management techniques, and support groups.

Applying for Social Security Disability with CFS

Often, it can be very difficult to obtain disability benefits for CFS, even when symptoms are severe. This is because there isn’t a lot of hard medical evidence to back up your claim. Some things that might help:

  • An official diagnosis from your physician.
  • Measureable findings documenting your symptoms, including sleep disorders, reduced physical or cognitive abilities, and swollen lymph nodes.
  • Medical records demonstrating all the tests taken to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms.

Additionally, you may want to consider working with a skilled a Lincoln disability attorney from the very beginning of your case—before you file your initial claim. An attorney offers key insight into the process, such as what kind of evidence your doctor might be able to offer to help build a stronger case.

Ready to learn more? Call Cuddigan Law at 402-933-5405 or email us at [email protected]. Our detailed report, Give Yourself the Best Chance of Winning Your Social Security Disability Case, is available to you FREE.

Sean D. Cuddigan
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SSA and VA Disability Attorney in Omaha, Nebraska