The US Centers For Disease Control (CDC) estimates that only about 20% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients have been diagnosed and while many physicians now know about chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) many don’t know specifically how to diagnose it.
Finding a Knowledgeable Doctor. Because doctors knowledgeable in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are still rare it’s important that people who believe they may have this disease find one. Some patients spend exorbitant amounts of money being sent from specialist to specialist before they are finally diagnosed. While a diagnosis can be somewhat complicated the CDC believes this kind of long drawn out process is unnecessary:
“CFS can be diagnosed in a primary care setting. Referring patients to various specialists just to confirm a CFS diagnosis is costly and unnecessary”
Peter Rowe, M.D. Johns Hopkins Medical School.
Fortunately, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) physicians report that once one becomes familiar with the disease it’s easy to recognize; no other disorder presents such a dramatic combination of physical and mental fatigue, sleep and concentration problems, etc..
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) physicians can often be found by contacting a local support group for information. Here are some lists and maps of ME/CFS doctors:
- ME/CFS doctors forum of Phoenix Rising
- World map of ME/CFS doctors
- Erica Verillo’s list of ME/CFS doctors
- Doctors and clinics in the ME/CFS roadmap
- AMMES list of ME/CFS doctors
- MEpedia international list of ME/CFS doctors
- Co-Cure ME/CFS & fibromyalgia good doctor list
Holistic Health Physicians – An increasing number of M.D.’s utilize both traditional and alternative therapies. Every major city and many smaller ones contain ‘holistic’ health oriented M.D.’s who are well acquainted with ME/CFS.