"I could not lift my arm holding the fork...". Living with chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To explore and describe symptoms and their consequences for patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Qualitative data from a group interview, written answers to a questionnaire and a follow-up meeting analysed in accordance with Giorgi's phenomenological approach.


METHODS
Purposeful sample of 10 women and 2 men of various ages recruited from the local self-help patient organisation.


METHODS
Descriptions reflecting the nature, extent and consequences of symptoms regarded as the most substantial by the informants across the group.


RESULTS
Extreme exhaustion exceeding the nature of everyday weariness was reported as the worst symptom. The informants perceived reduced muscular strength, continuous weakness and recurrent pain, problems related to memory and concentration, sleep disturbances and excessive sensitivity towards smell, light and sound. Learning abilities had deteriorated, and housework, conversation, reading and watching TV were characterised as exhausting, leading to an unpredictability of everyday life-disturbing social relations.


CONCLUSIONS
The extent and nature of symptoms suggest that CSF is an essentially different and far more serious condition than the strains of everyday life. Our findings suggest immunological processes affecting the neuromuscular and central neural system comparable to the effects of cytostatic medication.
Söderlund
A
A
Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway.
Skoge
A M
AM
Malterud
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires