How is Chronic Fatigue Diagnosed?

@gcranor, I don't believe there is a single test for chronic fatigue. Here's some information on the topic:

"There's no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Symptoms can mimic those of many other health problems, including:..."
-- Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis & treatment: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360510

You will notice that we modified the title of your discussion to better describe your question. Before I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea I had a lot of days where I felt really fatigued. Now I only feel that way if I over do it exercising or working in the yard. Hopefully others can share their experience with chronic fatigue. You may also be interested in the following discussions:

-- Autoimmune Fatigue and/or Chronic Fatigue: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/autoimmune-fatigue-and-or-chronic-fatigue/
-- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) treatments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-me-cfs-treatments/

Just read an article today from the blog Health Rising, which follows ME/CFS, Fibro, POTS reaearch. Not sure I know how to post the link but will try. Very exciting news about Mayo's latest changes in attitudes toward these patients.A Major ME/CFS Moment Just Occurred at…The Mayo Clinic!

Also glad to see that they now recognize that CBT, while it is great for other things, insomnia, pain, MCI; it is not the right treatment for ME/CFS. Nor is the idea of GET (graded exercise therapy), rather we need to follow the "pacing" guidelines. I was very excited to see this new article about Mayo.

Does anyone know if the Phoenix Mayo now treats those with ME/CFS & fibro? I read that Rochester is taking the lead but unsure if the other two campuses are on board yet.

Having had a son with CFS at 14 (he is now 24), it was CFS diagnosis by elimination of not having other illnesses. He was in a 2-year study with Nova Southern in 2016-18 with their partners, trying to define better. We visited specialist after specialist, and when he was cleared of viral, genetic, rheumatoid, thyroid, psychological, and heart-related issues. Once we were at that stage, he fell into the category of CFS - cause unknown. I can still remember some doctors who did not believe in CFS, but how that has changed with many people including doctors getting long Covid and suffering from CFS. Hopefully, long COVID will now help progress a cure or better diagnosis/management of CFS.

Unfortunately, they are nothing compared to Minnesota. The one in Florida what is the weather in Arizona could not help me with diagnosing GCA eight years ago, but mayo in Minnesota dead that much has changed. Mayo has went their name to these other hospitals. I see Mount Sinai in New York Has done the same thing down here in West Palm Beach. It’s all about the doctors and who you get in these various locations.

Sorry, my response was messed up. I spoke it and didn’t read it. My husband is in the hospital as of two hours ago and I am not quite myself.

I posted about my son above, but I thought I would share his current treatment as we have been through so many medicines without much luck for the fatigue, He has just moved to Memantine 20mg twice per day and has seen a vast improvement in his fatigue. Memantine was a medicine developed to treat Alzheimer's disease but like a few medicines, such as ketamine and medical cannabis new uses are being found. You can google Memantine, but to put it simply, it changes the ratio of dopamine, which makes you feel full of energy, and the opposite chemical, which makes you feel fatigued. According to my associate professor, a pain specialist who has been prescribing it for 19 years, they have seen promising results in many people with prolonged COVID-19-based fatigue. Like ketamine for pain, it will not work for everyone, and the correct dose varies from person to person. Not a standard treatment, but with little-known side effects, it is an option worth exploring.