Symptom Finder - Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
1. Rule out other causes of fatigue with a battery of laboratory tests including CBC, sedimentation rate, chemistry panel, arthritis panel, serum TSH, serum cortisol, heterophil antibody titer, monospot test, HIV titer, and liver function tests. Imaging studies such as bone scans, and CT scans maybe necessary. Skin testing for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases may be needed.
2. Order a battery of psychological tests such as the MMPI, Thematic Apperception Test, etc.
3. A consult with a psychiatrist may be indicated.
4. Supportive psychotherapy, graded exercise therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy may be tried.
5. Antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil): 10–60 mg daily, escitalopram (Lexapro): 10–20 mg daily, or Trazodone (Desyrel): 50–150 mg h.s. may be helpful.
6. In women of menopausal age, a trial of estrogen replacement RX
may help unless there are contraindications.
1. Rule out other causes of fatigue with a battery of laboratory tests including CBC, sedimentation rate, chemistry panel, arthritis panel, serum TSH, serum cortisol, heterophil antibody titer, monospot test, HIV titer, and liver function tests. Imaging studies such as bone scans, and CT scans maybe necessary. Skin testing for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases may be needed.
2. Order a battery of psychological tests such as the MMPI, Thematic Apperception Test, etc.
3. A consult with a psychiatrist may be indicated.
4. Supportive psychotherapy, graded exercise therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy may be tried.
5. Antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil): 10–60 mg daily, escitalopram (Lexapro): 10–20 mg daily, or Trazodone (Desyrel): 50–150 mg h.s. may be helpful.
6. In women of menopausal age, a trial of estrogen replacement RX
may help unless there are contraindications.
