What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a serious long term illness that may affect many systems of the body. It can also be referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). CFS can affect anyone, but it’s most common in women aged 40-60 years old.

CFS is a difficult condition to diagnose (like many other invisible disabilities), and many people suffering from CFS are often denied long term disability (LTD) benefits while they are searching for a diagnosis. Patients often have to be their own advocates when dealing with medical professionals in order to get the treatment they need.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Part of the difficulty with diagnosing CFS is that symptoms may vary between individuals, and can be mistaken for other conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. The one distinctive symptom is fatigue which lasts for more than six months and is not curable with bed rest. Other symptoms include:

• Loss of Memory or Concentration
• Feeling Unrefreshed After a Night’s Sleep
• Chronic Insomnia
• Muscle Pain
• Frequent Headaches
• Multi-joint Pain Without Redness or Swelling
• Frequent Sore Throat
• Tender and Swollen Lymph Nodes the Neck and Armpits

Complications From CFS

Because of the litany of symptoms that can arise from CFS, there are very real and often debilitating complications which lead many to rely on LTD benefits, including:

• Depression
• Social Isolation
• Lifestyle Restrictions (i.e. being unable to keep up with chores)
• Increased work absences

What Causes CFS?

Scientists and doctors are still not sure what the exact causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are making it hard to identify when the illness began.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have suggested Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be the result or end stages of various conditions, rather than a unique condition in and of itself. Various infections or viruses have been linked to CFS including:

• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
• Human Herpesvirus 6
• Ross River Virus (RRV)
• Rubella
• Mononucleosis
• Bacterial infections caused by Coxiella Burnetii and Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

People with CFS are also prone to:

• Immune System Problems. Those with CFS often appear to have a slightly impaired immune system, which makes them susceptible to viral infections and other health issues
• Hormonal Imbalances. Sometimes those with CFS can present with abnormal blood levels of hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary glands or adrenal glands.

Suffering from CFS can have very real and often serious effects on a person’s ability to work and oftentimes the feeling of being “tired” is dismissed by physicians and insurance companies. Keeping records of your symptoms is a great way to be able to show evidence of your illness and inability to work - and although it may be a challenge to fight for the benefits you need, it’s essential you take care of your health first.

Has your long-term disability claim been denied? Contact Share Lawyers and put our experience to work for you. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless we win your case. Find out if you have a disability case.

We have recently settled cases against Great West Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and much more. We love hearing feedback from our clients, so please share your own experience with us.

Denied your long term disability claim?

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A note from our long term disability lawyers

Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.

If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.

Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through

We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.

Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf

Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.

If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.

Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.

In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.