Pain

For many people, pain will reduce as PEM/PESE is managed through planning, pacing and prioritising activity. The following link contains more information about managing pain. Some of the advice on this page contains exercise, so only attempt this if you are confident it will not cause you to “boom and bust”. If you are not sure, ask for a referral to the Primary Fatigue Service and the Physiotherapist can advise you.

If you have not been examined or investigated by a healthcare professional, please contact one to check for other treatable causes of your pain. Call 999 if you have sudden chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw, makes your chest feel tight or heavy, also started with shortness of breath, sweating and feeling or being sick, lasts more than 15 minutes. You could be having a heart attack. Call 999 immediately as you need immediate treatment in hospital. See a GP if you have chest pain that comes and goes or you have chest pain that goes away quickly but you're still worried. It's important to get medical advice to make sure it's nothing serious.

Muscle aches and joint pain are common symptoms seen in people living with ME/CFS, Long COVID or Post Viral Fatigue. People can also experience other types of pain including headaches, chest pain, digestive pain and pain associated with flu-like symptoms.