CFS or Anxiety

Hi All

This is my first time on the CFS board here. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to determine the difference between CFS and chronic anxiety. It seems many of the symptoms are very similar. I've been suffering from anxiety for about 8 years now but just lately I'm starting to wonder if that is not just a symptom of CFS (I hear it can be)

Just lately I am more tired than usual all the time. I seldom feel refreshed no matter how well or much I sleep ... feel constantly washed out, no energy, headachey, my muscles frequently ache & feel tired and heavy, nauseas, crampy (I do have IBS too), zero concentration and the last couple of weeks none of my usual tricks seem to help pull me out of this slump.

I eat as best I can ~ although I have a mountain of food intolerances and now I have just read that these too can be a symptom of CFS. It seems that all such nervous disorders are so closely connected in terms of symptoms & it's very confusing trying to work out just what you have & what is causing what!

Does any of this sound familiar to anyone who has been diagnosed with CFS?

I've suffered these particularly enduring bouts for years too on and off. They come and go in terms of severity and I've always just put it down to my anxiety. Now my family have told me that for years they have thought I have CFS based on their own (albeit limited) knowledge.

So I was just curious to see what others thought.

Thanks!

Tizz

Hi Hippimom & thank you for your response :) I'm unable to get checked out by anyone at this point. Hopefully one day. Yes CFS is very hard to diagnose and there is little understanding in the medical field (as with most nervous related illnesses I've found, sadly). I know here in England there are still an awful lot of doctors who refuse to even acknowledge it as a genuine illness. I do think my symptoms are more fitting to CFS than fibro. Just knowing that this is not a figment of my imagination (or hypochondria) & being able to put a name to what is possibly wrong with me helps a little.