Carefully controlled studies also have revealed conflicting data regarding the value of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Some researchers believe that these drugs improve the quality of sleep. Patients also have benefitted from other kinds of antidepressants, including the newer serotonin reup-take inhibitors. Therapeutic doses of antidepressants often increase fatigue in CFS, so doctors may have to escalate the dosage very slowly, or prescribe the so-called more active antidepressants. In addition, some people with CFS benefit from the benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used to treat acute anxiety and sleep problems.
Patients often try more than one drug before finding one that works and can be tolerated.
Even though no specific CFS treatments exist, symptomatic treatment still can be quite helpful. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may benefit the body aches or fever associated with the illness, and nonsedating antihistamines may help relieve any prominent allergic symptoms. Learning how to manage fatigue enables people with CFS to improve their level of functioning and quality of life despite their symptoms. A rehabilitation medicine specialist can evaluate individuals and teach them how to plan activities to take advantage of times when they usually feel better. The lack of any proven effective treatment can be frustrating to both patients and their physicians.