When I started this site in 1996 there wasn't much online about medical treatment of children with CFS, CFIDS, NMH, ME, FMS, Ehlers-Danlos, or similar syndromes. There still isn't as much as I'd like to see, but there's a lot more than I can provide here and it's changing all the time. So I don't really try to keep up. Here are my current (November, 1999) comments. For other information use the treatment section of the CFIDS Association of American website. They also have information on diagnosis.
It is still difficult in most areas to find a pediatrian who takes these illnesses seriously. If you have one, count your blessings. If you don't, keep looking. Try the CoCure "Good Doctors List." If there's no one listed there anywhere near you, phone the nearest doctors and ask their advice. Join suport groups and ask them. For CFS-P, the online parent support group, go to the top page of this site.
Years ago I wrote an article with Rebecca Moore about why these illnesses are not taken seriously. It's still valid and will help you understand what you are up against. Find it on my top page.
Treatment of these illnesses is symptomatic, meaning that one tries to make the symptoms better. Sometimes this is very successful, sometimes it is not. Some kids get better over time. Others stay the same or get worse. You have to do what you can and hope for the best. Patience is a necessity.
These illnesses are stressful. They cause depression and anxiety. Everyone who has these illnesses (and their parents too!) can benefit from talking with an empathetic counselor.
Deconditioning makes these illnesses worse. There's a vicious circle here: the illness causes to inactivity, inactivity causes deconditioning, deconditioning causes the illness to be worse, the worse illness causes further deconditioning.... and so it goes. A program of mild exercise or slow activity that does not cause crashes can help a lot. For more on this see my page on helping orthostatic intolerance.
Information about CFS
(CFIDS) in young people
To suggest materials for this page, message Frank Albrecht