4 Steps to Recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We all get that “worn out” feeling from time to time. For some, it can happen after a long and hectic day. For others, fatigue is a daily struggle. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) affects up to 2.5 million Americans. For most, it’s a very debilitating illness. Conventional medicine is just now coming around to recognizing CFS as a real syndrome. Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be very broad and vague. Some symptoms include extreme exhaustion, memory loss, and headaches. Muscle fatigue, weakness, and body pain are other symptoms that last for at least six months. The causes of CFS can vary too. Leaky gut, chronic inflammation, and EBV reactivation are some of the culprits behind this condition.

Conventional medicine’s only treatment for CFS is prescription drugs to manage symptoms. Some medications address pain, while others aid sleep. Antidepressants are also common. However, in this article you’ll learn how to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and get your life back! 

Is Chronic Fatigue an autoimmune disease? As a functional medicine practitioner, I can tell you that CFS is real. I used to see it every day in my practice. I also personally experienced it during my emergency medicine residency. I even shared my story on The Dr. Oz Show. Although it’s not officially classified as an autoimmune disease, CFS presents many similar symptoms. It also involves widespread inflammation, a root cause of autoimmunity. I consider Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to be on the Autoimmune Spectrum®. This is why following The Myers Way® is a viable solution. It helps those looking to reverse their symptoms and take back their health. 

My book, The Autoimmune Solution, walks you through my proven program. In it, you learn how to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and start enjoying life again. Before we get into that, however, let’s take a look at the possible causes of CFS.

Possible Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

While Chronic Fatigue Syndrome presents differently in each person, there are some common denominators I see. Let’s take a look at all the possible causes of this chronic illness. 

Leaky Gut

If you have a leaky gut, your immune system is always on high alert. Loose junctions in the gut wall allow toxins, microbes, and undigested food particles to enter your bloodstream. This sets off a cycle of inflammation that causes symptoms throughout your body. Leaky gut can cause fatigue, brain fog, and muscle aches (1). It can even lead to joint pain and other symptoms associated with CFS. If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any other inflammatory condition, you likely have a leaky gut.

Diet

A diet high in inflammatory foods can be a major challenge for your immune system. Your body cannot break down gluten, grains, and legumes well. This puts a strain on your digestive tract, contributing to leaky gut and provoking a constant immune response from your body. Gluten in particular has connections to several disorders and conditions (2)! That’s because most symptoms of gluten sensitivity are not digestive in nature. In fact, some gluten sensitivities show up as pain, sleep disturbances, and brain fog. Even fatigue, depression, cognitive impairment, and behavioral issues can link to gluten sensitivities. 

Toxins

When you think of toxins, you may think of heavy metals and pesticides. Household cleaning products contain many toxins as well. Of course you should reduce your exposure to each of these. However, there is another type of toxin I suspect when I am treating a patient for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I’m talking about mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) given off by certain types of mold. These can be very harmful and cause many negative side effects.

Only 25% of the population have the genes that make them susceptible to the effects of mycotoxins. That’s why so many doctors overlook mold as a potential cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Even functional medicine doctors misdiagnose this at times. Mycotoxin exposure can lead to cognitive impairment, fatigue, and muscle weakness (3). It can also lead to neurological issues, brain fog, memory loss, and mood imbalances. These can all be symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I begin to suspect mold when a patient isn’t getting better after following The Myers Way®. Also, if they seemed to develop symptoms quickly or out of the blue, mycotoxins may be to blame. Mycotoxins can also be the culprit if a person gets recurrent fungal infections, such as Candida overgrowth. Living or working in a damp environment is a big red flag that tells me that mold may be a problem. The same thought process applies if you spend time in older buildings with known leaks. You can find more information about mold exposure over at The Myers Way® Podcast.

Infections and Stress

I put stress and infections together because they go hand-in-hand. Emotional, mental, and physical stress lower your immune system. This can lead to infections that put more stress on your body. In my interview with Dr. David Brady, we discuss how stress can also trigger certain viral infections to reactivate. This causes a whole host of other issues. 

Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is the virus that causes mononucleosis, or mono. You wouldn’t believe how common this virus is. Up to 95% of Americans have come in contact with Epstein Barr Virus by the time they reach 40 years of age. Once you’ve come in contact with Epstein Barr Virus, it does not leave your body. It becomes latent, or dormant. However, EBV reactivation can occur if your immune system is chronically compromised. Think of during periods of high stress, for example. In most healthy people, Epstein Barr Virus never reactivates. That said, studies show an interesting link between EBV reactivation and symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (4).

If I have ruled out other causes, I then turn to Lyme disease. Lyme disease shares many similarities to both autoimmune disease and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In fact, many people are often misdiagnosed with one or both of those when the underlying issue is Lyme. It’s estimated that 50% of those who test negative to Lyme on conventional testing are false negatives. This means they have actually do have Lyme diease, or did.

4 Steps to Recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Myers Way® approach to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stems on four pillars. In The Autoimmune Solution, I take you through the steps to complete each one. Follow these steps and you’ll discover how to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for good!

Heal Your Gut

The first pillar of The Myers Way® is to heal your gut. Up to 80% of your immune system lives in your gut. Therefore, it’s essential to heal your gut in order to restore your immune system. It requires a sequence of removing the bad, then replacing the good. Next comes reinoculating with healthy bacteria. In the end, you’re well on your way to repairing a damaged gut! One of my favorite gut-healing practices is to drink bone broth on a regular basis. The nutrients contained in bone broth give a boost of natural energy. The collagen protein also helps repair damaged intestinal cells. If you suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, bone broth can help!

Ditch Gluten, Grains, and Legumes

The second pillar is to get rid of all gluten, grains, and legumes. Food sensitivities play a big role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. I recommend everyone remove gluten from their diets. It’s so inflammatory and causes so many health problems. If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you’re already on the Autoimmune Spectrum®. I highly recommend removing all grains and legumes from your diet as well.

Tame the Toxins

The third pillar requires taming the toxins. If you suspect mold exposure is to blame for your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, see a functional medicine practitioner. Additionally, find one who can test your body for mycotoxin exposure. You first need to determine the source of the mold so you can get away from it. You may also need prescription medications such as antifungals to kill and bind the toxins. You will also need  to help remove the toxins from your system. I cover this topic in great detail in The Autoimmune Solution. You can also check out The Myers Way® Podcast for when you’re on the road. Reduce your exposure to other toxins wherever possible. Start with incorporating more organic food into your diet. In addition to this, drink plenty of filtered water. This supports your body’s own natural detox processes. 

Heal Infections and Reduce Stress

The last pillar of The Myers Way® is healing infections and relieving stress. Any doctor can test you for Epstein Barr Virus or other viral infections. However, it’s highly likely you have had exposure at some point. There are antiviral medications out there, but I’ve found a more effective strategy is to support your immune system. You find it with The Myers Way®, as it provides some of the best ways to reduce stress. You can also supplement with humic acid and lauricidin. These supplements can address EBV reactivation. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, it’s important to get tested correctly. The Autoimmune Solution offers additional resources for those who think Lyme might be a problem.

You can also learn more in my interview with Dr. Darin Ingels. Together, we talk about how Lyme disease, autoimmunity, and allergies can affect thyroid function.