Chronic Fatigue Syndrome IS Real
It’s more than feeling drained at the end of a busy day. Or the fatigue that comes along with everyday stresses and challenging moments in life. It’s a relentless exhaustion for which a good night’s sleep offers little to no relief.
It’s chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a common condition that’s misunderstood, often undiagnosed and is the source of despair for millions of people who struggle with the persistent pain, brain fog and the lack of energy it can bring. And recent reports tying CFS to COVID-19 suggest the number of people affected by the disorder is likely to soar.
But, there is hope – and effective treatment options available, says Dr. Joel Young, founder and Medical Director of the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, who has dedicated years to unraveling the mysteries surrounding CFS. His new book – “Understanding and Treating Chronic Fatigue: A Practical Guide for Patients and Practitioners,” slated for release Aug. 31 – aims to shed light on the complexities of this baffling illness and RCBM’s ground-breaking research on the efficacy of treating CFS with stimulant medications approved by the FDA for use in patients with ADHD and binge-eating and sleep disorders. Dr. Young also addresses the use of meditation and dietary changes to reduce fatigue and non-opioid drugs, medical marijuana and yoga to alleviate chronic pain.
“I wrote this book to empower and inform patients and physicians as well as pharmaceutical companies in hopes of paving the way for more patient support and medical research,” he says. “There is so much more work to be done to fully understand and effectively treat CFS given its prevalence among the population and the severity of the symptoms that often present themselves.”
Sufferers are not alone
CFS is much more common than you might think.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 2.5 million Americans are living with CFS – and 90% don’t even know it because many health-care providers lack the knowledge or tools to properly diagnose and treat CFS.
Throughout his book, Dr. Young breaks down the latest research available, comparing scientific findings to his own clinical observations. With each study referenced, he helps piece together a puzzle to provide readers with a better understanding of the big-picture impact.
The book’s release couldn’t come at a better time, given recent news reports linking COVID-19 to symptoms of CFS. Growing evidence suggests that CFS could be a lingering side effect of coronavirus infection. And like the virus, CFS doesn’t discriminate. Anyone can develop it at any age, though cases are more prevalent among certain demographic groups than others.
Consider:
- People of any age may develop CFS, but those ages 30-50 years old are most likely to be diagnosed. The Institute of Medicine reports that 33 years is the average age of onset.
- Women are more commonly diagnosed with CFS, with some studies finding a rate of diagnosis three times higher in females.
- White people are more likely to experience CFS than minorities though that may have more to do with access to health care than a genetic predisposition.
“I’ve found that CFS is one of those ‘equal opportunity’ diseases – no one is immune,” Dr. Young says. “It can affect every aspect of a patient’s life, wreaking havoc on their relationships, careers and day-to-day routines. And they often bear the burden without their family’s support or their doctor’s understanding. I hope this book helps to change that.”
‘I got my life back’
Dr. Young’s trail-blazing CFS treatment approach has been a life-changer for RCBM patient Melanie Lusnak.
“He helped me get my life back,” says the 31-year-old Rochester woman. “I went from being a straight-A student in my younger years to a non functioning adult, and more than a decade went by before I even knew why.”
For Lusnak, the debilitating fatigue and brain fog first appeared in college. Her problems with concentration and motivation progressed gradually, she says.
When it became increasingly difficult to keep up with coursework and wake up in time for classes, Lusnak consulted her doctor who diagnosed her with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The medications prescribed helped alleviate some of her symptoms but the relief didn’t last. So she went back to her doctor only to get a new script for a different antidepressant that yielded that same results. The frustrating treatment cycle continued for years as daily life became harder to manage.
The breaking point, she says, came after she lost her job and her marriage became increasingly strained.
“My husband would come home from work and I could barely get off the couch,” she said. “I was a shell of a person.”
That’s when she turned to Dr. Young, who diagnosed her with CFS and adjusted her prescription medicine regimen to include Mydaylis, an extended-release mixed amphetamine salts drug used to treat ADHD. It’s been nearly four years since Lusnak first visited RCBM and began her journey back to life.
“I’ve got a great job now and was recently promoted,” she says. “My husband and I are excited for the future and enjoying the home life we’ve built together. None of it would have been possible if it were not for Dr. Young. He truly saved my life.”
“Understanding and Treating Chronic Fatigue: A Practical Guide for Patients and Practitioners” by Dr. Joel L Young (Praeger Press, August 2020) will be available in hardcover ($39) and e-book formats. To order a copy, visit Amazon.com
