This appendix includes words that may be unfamiliar to readers, although I have tried to define possibly unknown words throughout the text. Readers will know some of the words and phrases listed here, such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Brain fog
Noticeable difficulty (to the individual and often to others) in which the person has trouble with thinking, concentrating, and remembering. Without treatment, brain fog is a common problem for people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
A condition characterized by a significant decrease in the person’s occupational, educational, social, or personal activities that persists for more than six months and is accompanied by fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep. In addition, either cognitive impairment or orthostatic intolerance (or both conditions) is present.
Cognition
The ability to think clearly, express oneself to others, and concentrate. Without treatment, cognition may be impaired in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Dementia
A neurological disorder that impedes thinking and behavior. The most commonly known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
A neurotransmitter that affects mood and behavior. Patients with depression may be prescribed antidepressants that boost dopamine levels.
Fibromyalgia
A painful chronic muscular condition that often presents along with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Hyperalgesia
An increased sensitivity to pain.
Lyme disease
An illness caused by a bite from the tick hosting the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. When diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome, doctors may wish to rule out Lyme disease as well as other diseases such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A serious chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease characterized by vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. Doctors may wish to rule out MS before diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue disorder (ME/CFS)
Two old diagnoses that are now used together to connote chronic fatigue syndrome.
Off-label prescribing
When a physician prescribes a medication that is not the FDA-approved indication for the drug. This is lawful and common, but the doctor should tell the patient why the medication is being prescribed and that it is being prescribed off-label.
Orthostatic intolerance/hypotension
A feeling of dizziness or imbalance that occurs after a person suddenly changes position from lying down to sitting up or from sitting to standing. Many people (but not all) with chronic fatigue syndrome experience this issue.
A condition seen in clinical studies in which researchers give one group a medication and the other group a look-alike tablet or capsule that contains no medication. The group that does not receive the medication often believes they received the real drug and may report positive or negative effects. Researchers are very familiar with this phenomenon.
Postexertional malaise (PEM)
Severe exhaustion that may occur in a person with chronic fatigue syndrome after greater-than-usual physical or mental concentration. This condition occurs in most people with chronic fatigue syndrome when they extend themselves beyond their normal behavior.
Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
Symptoms of pain, fatigue, and brain fog that occur long after treatment with antibiotics.
Prescribed stimulants
Medications that may decrease fatigue, improve brain fog, and cut back on the pain levels in a person with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Prodrug
A drug that is converted to an active medication once it transfers from the gut into the bloodstream. This prodrug mechanism allows for a long-acting effect. Vyvanse is a prodrug.
Racemic mixture
When dextro-amphetamine and levo-amphetamine are combined in equal proportions in an amphetamine medication.
Restless legs syndrome
A disorder in which the sufferer has a compelling sensation to move about when lying down. The sensations may feel like an aching or a creeping feeling and are primarily experienced in the legs, but they may also occur in the arms or even the head or chest.
A neurotransmitter that affects mood and behavior. Sometimes people with depression are treated with antidepressants that boost serotonin levels, thus improving mood.
Sleep apnea
A condition characterized by short periods of breathing cessation during sleep. With this condition, the person periodically stops breathing for short periods. This condition requires treatment.
Systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID)
Another name for chronic fatigue syndrome.
Wakefulness medications
Drugs that improve fatigue for people with narcolepsy and other disorders, sometimes used to treat the fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome. Modafinil (Provigil) is the most common of these medications.