SPARK! The Campaign to Ignite CFS Awarness

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

For Patients

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a complex illness that can be challenging for health care professionals to diagnose and treat—and equally challenging for patients and their families to endure.

Scientists still don’t know what causes CFS, and there isn’t a cure yet. However, significant progress has been made in recent years by researchers and the medical community in unraveling the mysteries of this illness. This progress has led to a greater understanding of how CFS affects the body and how to treat this illness more effectively. There are treatment options available to help patients improve their quality of life and increase their activities and level of function.

If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from CFS, you’ll find up-to-date information to assist you in understanding CFS below. There are a number of resources available to help you.

Get informed. Get diagnosed. Get help.

Patient Brochures

Introducing CFS. This 8-page pamphlet from the CFIDS Association serves as a easy-to-understand primer on the basics of CFS. It also answers many frequently asked questions like, Who gets CFS?, How is CFS treated? and Do patients get better? Click here for a downloadable copy.
Understanding CFS: A Guide for Patients. This brochure provides a brief overview of how CFS is defined, diagnosed and treated. It was designed for the campaign and was distributed at sites where "The Faces of CFS" exhibit traveled.

Information on Talking to Your Doctor

Should I Talk to a Health Care Professional about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?. If you suspect you may have CFS, and wonder if you should discuss it with your doctor, this resource is for you. It’s an easy, one-page list of questions that will help identify your symptoms and the impact of those symptoms. The questionnaire can be filled out at home and taken with you to your next appointment.

Doc Talk. This article from the CFIDS Chronicle includes strategies for improving communication with your health care professionals. It can help take some of the frustration out of the doctor-patient relationship.

Choosing a Doctor. This fact sheet can help you find and work effectively with health care professionals to manage CFS.

SolveCFS

SolveCFS: The Chronicle of the CFIDS Association of America is the premier publication for CFS patients and others who are interested in this illness, filled with articles about research advances, tips on winning disability claims, coping strategies and many other topics.

The Science & Research of CFS

This 65-page magazine published in 2006 features articles from leading CFS experts around the world. People who are searching for current, accurate and reliable information about CFS will find it here. Click here for a table of contents and links to several sample articles.

CFIDSLink

This monthly newsletter features breaking news related to CFS, keeps you informed about new research discoveries, and profiles patients, clinicians, researchers and CFS advocates. It’s delivered to your inbox the first Wednesday of each month. You can subscribe online.

Disability Packet

The CFIDS Association of America has numerous resources available for people interested in Social Security disability and CFS:

Disability Workbook for Social Security Applicants. This 147-page book, by attorney Douglas Smith, guides you through the process of applying for SSDI benefits. Worksheets, tips on qualifying for benefits and the answers to frequently asked questions are included.
Disability Evaluation in a Nutshell. A simple guide that teaches doctors how to write CFS medical reports that will improve your chances for winning your claim. It includes an actual sample report.
Disability Packet. This resource includes more than 50 pages of articles and helpful advice for people with CFS who are applying for Social Security and long-term disability benefits.
Periodically the CFIDS Chronicle publishes articles on the topics of disability and employment.
CFS Social Security Policy Ruling (SSR 99-2p)


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