February 16, 2025 miguelbautista No Comments

What Symptoms Can CFS Give You? | CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Understanding Nervous System Symptoms in CFS and Long COVID

Introduction

Living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or long COVID can feel like an endless cycle of strange, unpredictable symptoms. From head pressure to joint pain, heart palpitations to digestive issues, it often seems like the entire body is affected.

The most frustrating part? You go to the doctor, get tests done, and everything comes back “normal.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people with CFS and nervous system dysregulation experience a wide range of symptoms, often without any medical explanation.

In this blog, we’ll explore the many ways the nervous system can affect the body and why understanding this can help ease fear and frustration in your recovery.

Why Does the Nervous System Cause So Many Symptoms?

The nervous system controls almost every function in the body—your heartbeat, digestion, muscle movement, and even your perception of pain. When it becomes hypersensitive, it can send false danger signals, making normal sensations feel overwhelming and triggering symptoms in different areas of the body.

This explains why:
✅ You can feel short of breath but have normal oxygen levels
✅ You experience chest pain even though your heart is fine
✅ You have flu-like symptoms but no infection

Your body isn’t broken—it’s just stuck in a dysregulated state. The good news is, this state can be reversed with the right approach.

Common Symptoms of Nervous System Dysregulation

Here’s a breakdown of some symptoms you may experience from head to toe. If you’ve had medical tests that came back normal, your nervous system may be the root cause.

1. Head and Brain Symptoms

Headaches and migraines (one-sided, front, back, or all over)
Head pressure (like someone pushing down on your head)
Tight band sensation around the head
Brain fog (trouble thinking clearly, memory issues, difficulty processing information)
Dizziness and lightheadedness

2. Eye Symptoms

Floaters (small moving spots in vision)
Blurry or hazy vision (like looking through a film)
Bloodshot eyes
Dry or irritated eyes

3. Ear Symptoms

Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) (high-pitched ringing or buzzing sounds)
Ear sensitivity (to sound or temperature)
Sudden cold or hot ears

4. Nose and Sinus Symptoms

Sinus pressure and congestion
Runny or dry nose
Postnasal drip (mucus draining into the throat, causing a dry cough)

5. Mouth and Throat Symptoms

Dry mouth and lips
Increased thirst or complete loss of thirst
White coating on the tongue
Sensitive gums and enamel (bleeding gums, pain when drinking cold water)
Sore throat or canker sores

6. Chest and Heart Symptoms

Shortness of breath (air hunger) despite normal oxygen levels
Chest tightness or pressure (like someone is sitting on your chest)
Heart palpitations (rapid, slow, or skipped beats)
Fluctuating blood pressure (high one moment, low the next)

7. Digestive Symptoms

Stomach aches and bloating (even after small meals)
Gas and digestive discomfort
Fluctuating constipation and diarrhea
Acid reflux or nausea

8. Bladder and Pelvic Symptoms

Frequent urination (having to pee every few minutes)
Burning sensation when urinating (but no UTI detected)
Loss of bladder control (mild incontinence)

9. Muscle, Joint, and Skin Symptoms

Joint pain and cracking (especially in knees and shoulders)
Heavy or weak legs (feeling like your legs won’t support you)
Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations
Temperature fluctuations (cold hands and feet, sudden heat waves)
Unexplained rashes or dry skin

How to Handle Nervous System Symptoms in Recovery

If you experience any of these symptoms, the first step is to rule out medical conditions with your doctor. But if all tests come back normal, consider the following:

🧘 Stay Calm: Your symptoms may be scary, but they are not life-threatening. Your body is not broken, just dysregulated.

💡 Reframe Your Thoughts: Instead of thinking “Something is wrong with me,” try “This is my nervous system being overactive, and I can retrain it.”

🚶 Pace Yourself: Don’t push through symptoms, but don’t avoid all activity either. Find a balance that keeps your body moving without overwhelming it.

🔄 Accept Symptom Fluctuations: Some days will be better than others. Symptoms will rotate and change—it’s part of the healing process.

Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone

Many people with CFS, long COVID, or nervous system dysregulation experience a wide range of symptoms. But symptoms do not define your recovery. They are signals that your nervous system is working hard to find balance again.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: you are not alone. So many of us have been through this and have come out stronger on the other side.

If you need guidance and support, check out our Recovery Jumpstart Program, where we help people step-by-step through their healing journey.