A regular, gentle exercise program that is specifically designed for the ill person can be beneficial. Bed rest may temporarily alleviate symptoms, but doesn't improve the chance for recovery. If continued, bed rest may actually make symptoms worse and can result in deconditioning and the development of other conditions. Many fad diets call for an imbalanced food intake and can create poor nutritional status. It is not possible to predict recovery.
Some people recover in small to moderate degrees, while others recover minimally, if at all.
Still others have progressively worse symptoms over time. Statistically, the best chance of recovery occurs in the first five years of the illness. It is possible, but is highly individualized and dependent on symptom severity and the demands of a given job. There is a wide spectrum of disability ranging from people who can work a few part-time hours to those who are unable to work at all. Some persons who experience mild symptoms are able to work full time.