Treatment and Prevention
Although there are no recommended or proven treatments to date, management of CFS includes reassurance and support about the condition and how things will improve with time. It is difficult to predict when and how much someone with CFS will improve, since this varies a great deal between individuals. A doctor will likely combine a number of different treatments aimed at addressing your specific symptoms, including:
- medical intervention and medications
- alternative therapies
- psychotherapy
- physical and lifestyle adjustments
Since no medication has been specifically proven to cure CFS, medications are used to treat some of the symptoms that are seen with CFS. For depression, antidepressants such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine* or sertraline) or TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and imipramine) may be used. Anti-anxiety medications such as lorazepam may be used to treat anxiety. Sleeping pills, such as zopiclone, may be used to treat certain sleep disorders. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used for headaches, fever, and general aches and pains.
CFS can sometimes go away on its own. Medications should therefore be
tried for short periods and then stopped, and the person's status should be reassessed
before continuing with drug treatment.
Some people seek alternative therapies, including massage, acupuncture,
herbal products, and dietary supplements. Herbal preparations that have been
touted as beneficial for people with CFS include astragalus, borage seed oil,
bromelain, comfrey, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, primrose oil,
quercetin, St. John's wort, and shiitake mushroom extract.
The value of alternative remedies is questionable. With few exceptions, most
of these remedies haven't been shown to be effective for treating CFS patients.
Many people believe that just because herbal products are "natural"
they're also safe. This isn't always true: besides containing an active compound
that may have medicinal properties, unrefined plant preparations also have other
substances that can harm you. Comfrey and high doses of ginseng, for example,
are known to have harmful effects. As well, herbal preparations and dietary
supplements can interfere with other medications you may be taking or cause
side effects. Before taking alternative remedies, talk to a doctor or pharmacist
about what's safe and appropriate for your specific situation.
Psychotherapy is another strategy that can help people with CFS and their
families to cope with the symptoms of CFS. Cognitive behavior therapy may
help alleviate some of the distress and concerns about CFS and its affects on
your work and personal life.
Lifestyle changes may also be recommended. Modest exercise can be a
means of restoring some of the loss of energy and stamina. Learning ways to
manage energy levels is important; for instance, overexertion during periods
of good health can lead to a return of symptoms. Finding ways to cope and deal
with physical and emotional stresses can help prevent a return of CFS symptoms.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name
is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®).
The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen).
A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article
lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names,
speak with your doctor or pharmacist.