"I could not lift my arm holding the fork..." - Living with chronic fatigue syndrome

Objectives - To explore and describe symptoms and their consequences for pa tients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Design - Qualitative data from a group interview, written answers to a ques tionnaire and a follow-up meeting analysed in accordance with Giorgi's phen omenological approach. Subjects - Purposeful sample of 10 women and 2 men of various ages recruite d from the local self-help patient organisation. Main outcome measures - Descriptions reflecting the nature, extent and cons equences of symptoms regarded as the most substantial by the Informants acr oss the group. Results- Extreme exhaustion exceeding the nature of everyday weariness was reported as the worst symptom. The informants perceived reduced muscular st rength, continuous weakness and recurrent pain, problems related to memory and concentration, sleep disturbances and excessive sensitivity towards sme ll, light and sound. Learning abilities had deteriorated, and housework, co nversation, reading and watching Tv were characterised as exhausting, leadi ng to an unpredictability of everyday life-disturbing social relations. Conclusion - The extent and nature of symptoms suggest that is an essential ly different and far more serious condition than the strains of everyday li fe. Our findings suggest immunological processes affecting the neuromuscula r and central neural system comparable to the effects of cytostatic medicat ion.