What is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which may also be known as Systemic exertion intolerance disease is characterized by persistent or recurrent fatigue, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and subjective cognitive impairment of 6 months duration or longer.

How do members experience myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome*

*Data from patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Lyrica)
Perceived effectiveness
for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (3 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (8)
Treatment

(Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN))
Perceived effectiveness
for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (4 evaluations)
Side effects
emotional distress insomnia
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (7)
Treatment

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (1)

*Data from patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 23
20s 286
30s 1,163
40s 3,190
50s 5,940
60s 5,647
70+ 2,457

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,615
Female 17,177