Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may affect upwards of 6 million Americans.  It causes more disability than rheumatoid arthritis.  Lesser degrees of muscle discomfort syndromes may affect millions of more people.  Patients with chronic myofascial pain all often diagnosed with hypochondriasis, malingering or depression.  The conventional medical approach to CFS is usually to prescribe a variety of anti-depressants, muscle relaxants and anti-psychotic medications that have a myriad of significant side effects. 

CFS represents a constellation of symptoms that altogether form a syndrome.  The vast array of symptoms often does not seem to be related making the diagnosis challenging at best.   

A simple way to think of chronic fatigue is to use the analogy of a circuit breaker in a house presented the following way: 

If the energy demands on your body are more than it can meet, your body “blows a fuse.”  The ensuing fatigue forces you to use less energy, protecting you from harm.  On the other hand, although a circuit breaker may protect the circuitry in the home, it does little good if you do now know how to turn it back on or that it even exists. 

The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome involves most of the following symptoms:

• Severe fatigue lasting more than 4 months
• Feeling worse the day after exercise.  Patients may even describe this as a feeling of “begin struck by a truck.”
• Diffuse, often migratory, achiness.
• Disordered sleep.
• Difficulty with word finding and substitution, poor short-term memory and poor concentration often described as “brain fog.”
• Bowel dysfunction, often diagnosed as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
• Recurrent infections of the throat, chest or sinus cavities.
• Chemical or medication sensitivities. 

The Wycoff Wellness Center provides a unique and thorough approach to evaluate patients with the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.  Our process involves the following components:

                  *  An initial visit

                  *  Provide a complete review of past history and symptoms

                  *  Perform a head-to-toe physical

                  *  Coordinate recommended testing (see below)

                  *  Initiate basics of a comprehensive treatment plan

                  *  First follow-up visit

                  *  Discuss results of all testing in detail

                  *  Develop a further customized treatment plan

                  *  Determine the needed for further testing

                  *  Follow up visits

                  *  Follow up depends on individualized treatment needs

                  *  Typical follow up every 2-3 months or as needed 

The Wycoff Wellness Center typically would recommend some or all of the following diagnostic testing.  The specific recommended testing is an individual decision between a Wycoff Wellness Center provider and patient.  Typical testing to be considered includes:

                           *  Complete blood count, blood chemistries and comprehensive thyroid panel

                           *  A four-vial saliva collection for various hormone levels

                           *  Comprehensive vitamin/nutrient evaluation (SpectraCell MNT or Genova Labs NutrEval)

                           *  Great Plains Laboratory Testing

                           *  Comprehensive IgG Food Allergy        

                           *  Hair or urine heavy metals toxicity evaluation

                           *  Organic Acid Test

                           *  Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis

                           *  Gluten & Casein Peptide Test

                           *  Urinary Amino Acids

The Wycoff Wellness Center offers several unique and customized treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.  Specific treatments are based on the individual patient’s needs and thorough assessment as outlined above.  Potential options include the following:

                      *  Individualized vitamin/mineral/supplement replacement

                      *  Treatment of chronic candidiasis

                      *  Bioidentical hormone treatment

                       *  Intravenous and/or oral chelation

                       *  Intravenous nutrient infusions

                       *  Ultraviolet blood irradiation

                       *  Low Dose Allergy Immunotherapy

                       *  Specific dietary advice

Call today and schedule your initial evaluation with a Wycoff Wellness Center provider.  You don’t have to live with symptoms that have not been evaluated and treated appropriately any longer!