Can my 10 year old girl suffer with chronic fatigue / ME?

There are so many things it could be I wouldn't jump to thinking it is ME. I have ME (CFS) and I have suffered all my life with chronic sore throats, infections, glandular fever when I was 19 but didn't have a diagnosis till I was 50 although the Specialist said I had always had it in my system but he said I managed with it until I had a period of extreme stress and that was when it was diagnosed after ruling out all the other things.

Yes, children can get ME/CFS, but nothing in your post raises a red flag to me for this illness. You'd have to sort out a lot of other stuff before even thinking of ME/CFS. Also, 3 weeks is a very short time to be thinking of ME/CFS. Some red flags for the illness: unrelenting fatigue, that I think goes beyond lethargy; post-exertional fatiuge (fatigue after doing the most minor exertions, like taking a shower); unrefreshing sleep; cognitive problems like brain fog and short-term memory loss; orthostatic intolerance; digestive problems. The list goes on. For more information, go the "solve me/cfs initiative" website. Also, Google "pediatric ME/CFS." One article in this category says the three most common symptoms with children who have this illness are headaches, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties.

Its way too early as others have said to think about ME. That is often the conclusion when everything else has been ruled out and that can take a long time, many months or years. It could even be depression or something as simple as she doesn't want to goto school.

If you are in the UK make sure you have doctors notes for her absence or you could find yourself ultimately in court for her not attending school.

Hi Lou Redd,

Yes, children can get cfs/me too. If you're in the UK, you need to have symptoms for over 6 months to have it classified as this. Your daughter could have pvs (post viral syndrome) I guess a little early to tell yet but, that doesn't take the symptoms away. Plenty of rest Is best.

Re the asd diagnosis, even without that, the school has a duty of care to make her feel safe and secure. My daughter struggled and I was told that with her way of being she's on the spectrum but not enough for diagnosis. Doesn't take away the Issues. We have a kind of care plan so that every teacher knows what to do If she gets overwhelmed.

A child at her school has cfs and a plan was drawn up for them to get home schooled as it was getting harder for them to attend. This is secondary school though can't see difference in how that would affect things.

The most Important thing Is that she Is supported to get well.

Hope that helps

Beverley

It is very difficult to come to any conclussion when she hates school. What ever do not doubt what she is saying. If she thinks you are doubting her it could lead into another issue. She could well have M E but it could be something else. Best not to come to any conclussion at this time.         

Good Luck to you both

 

Any viral illness will cause fatigue and can last for 4-6 wks or more, so at this stage it is unlikely that CFS/ME is something to consider.

Of course, do monitor and keep it in mind if she has frequent similar episodes but all the advice the previous posters have given sounds good.

I hope she improves soon and it is "just a virus"!

Just wantd to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply to me. xx

 

Let us know how you get on. This forum is all we have.

If your daughters pale and lethargic get them to test for B12 deficiency, if you havent already. Most docs will look at a full blood count to see if she is, but it doesnt always show up, you need the b12 test. I have b12 deficiency and was diagnosed with CFS last year.