Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Hey guys,
Have any of you been diagnosed w/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on top of all of our other issues?

Thanks for your input!

BTW, I had my sleep study on Thursday night but I do not have the results yet, when I do, I will let you guys know what they said about my hallucinations, etc!

~D. Lama

Bump, so this isn't lost in the shuffle.

I don't have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but I havn't asked my Rhuemy either. I do battle with fatigue. I'm on Humira and it helps with fatigue, but I still have fatigue on some days. I hope that you get the answers you need.

It seems to be very usual to have fatique with AS. I'm not sure if the right dx is Chronic fatique Syndrome, but it really do affect AS-suffers. For me fatiqe is a much greater problem than my pain. I'm really always tired, even though I sleep well and when I don't fight flare-ups.

Hi!
I was diagnosed with CFS when I was 15 (about 20 years ago). I've had many periods of flares/remissions with CFS, but I don't ever remember not being tired. The other symptoms besides fatigue (insomnia, aches, sore throat, etc.) bother me much more than the fatigue.

I was diagnosed with AS 2 months ago and I am still trying to work out all that that entails. I hadn't really thought about a relation between the 2, but I am learning that managing both is very similar.

I think that because I have spent so much of my life monitoring good days/bad days and making adjustments in my schedule, that dealing with AS will be easier for me and my family, because we've been working through similar things for years.

I have it, dunno that it's exactly 'diagnosed' but my rheumy understands I have it bad, and I also have sleep apnea so that kinda runs along the same line fatigue wise. Provigil is helping me some so far, I'm still on a test run with it but so far so good.

Mindy,
It is so good to hear the Provigil is working! ...I am the one that had the crazy reacation to it.

I asked about CFS because my Rheumy has mulled it around alot recently. I have been undergoing a battery of tests, pulmonary, sleep, neurological, etc. I have been in a severe flare up since the summer (diagnosed w/AS many years ago), things have never been this bad and have been really, really progressing.

I am waiting on some of the test results to be read by the proper specialists, but the rheumy said to do some research on my own about CFS as well...he and I both prefer the tag team approach to figuring out what is going on so I am well informed and have any questions answered when I visit him.

Due to the fatigue, he just extended by 2.5 month disability by at least another 90 days. It is far worse than my joint pain right now.

We are also waiting to see if I have narcolepsy...FUN!

Thanks for the replies on CFS, it is really nice to hear from others in this situation. The AS fatigue is overwhelming, much less adding another illness on top.

~D. Lama

Yes,I have CFS and FMS(fibromyalgia) with many other illnesses and syndromes. Makes for 24/7-365...pain!!!! Not to mention fatigue,swollen glands,and on and on for me at least.

I have fibromyalgia brought on by a virus [and I guess AS] for which a lifelong antiviral is necessary. I also take supplements which are necessary too.
Here is a site which mirrors very much the things that work for me.

DrMyhill UK