What is CFS/ME and what are the symptoms?

Big topic. Causes strong reactions. Best place to start? probably not. But here we go...

This blog is about handling the daily practicalities of living with CFS/ME, so, ignoring the politics for now, but :

What's in a name?

CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
ME = Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Some believe ME and CFS are totally different illnesses with different symptoms. Some think they're the same or similar. Others are waiting until the causes can be identified (including me).  The general consensus seems to be that there's a whole range of causes, causing a group of symptoms that sufferers can have - but they can't be reliably diagnosed & fixed yet like something relatively simple (ie a broken bone) can be.