Table 3.
Number of focus group participants with self-described post–exertional malaise symptoms.
| Category | Symptom | Daily PEM (n = 30) | CPET PEM (n = 21) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Exhaustion | 30 | 20 | |
| Difficulty sleeping/insomnia | 8 | 3 | |
| “Flulike” unspecified | 6 | 2 | |
| Chills | 5 | 1 | |
| Feverish feeling or low-grade fever | 3 | 6 | |
| Drop in temperature | 1 | — | |
| Cognitive | |||
| Difficulty thinking clearly or paying attention | 24 | 10 | |
| Memory problems | 8 | 2 | |
| Difficulty finding words when speaking | 12 | 5 | |
| Neuromuscular complaints | |||
| Muscle pain/aches | 20 | 8 | |
| Muscle weakness | 10 | 5 | |
| Joint pain | 5 | 5 | |
| Muscle stiffness | — | 2 | |
| Clumsy in movements | 4 | 2 | |
| Muscle convulsions/twitching/spasms | 3 | 3 | |
| Widespread body pain | 2 | 2 | |
| Sensory | |||
| Sensitive to light, sound, smell | 11 | 4 | |
| Blurry vision | — | 1 | |
| Affect | |||
| Depression/despair/hopelessness | 9 | 2 | |
| Short temper/irritability | 3 | — | |
| Anxiety | 3 | — | |
| Ear, nose, throat | |||
| Sore throat | 7 | 3 | |
| “Sore glands” /lymph nodes | 1 | 2 | |
| Sinus pain | 1 | — | |
| Congestion | — | 1 | |
| Heavy eyes | 1 | — | |
| Cardiovascular | |||
| Low blood pressure/near fainting/drop in heart rate | 7 | 2 | |
| Heart racing or pounding | 6 | 4 | |
| Sweating | 2 | — | |
| Neurological | |||
| Dizziness/vertigo | 6 | 3 | |
| Headache/migraine | 7 | 6 | |
| Burning pain | 5 | 2 | |
| Tingling/numbness | 3 | — | |
| Tremors | 2 | 2 | |
| Slurred speech | 1 | — | |
| Blurry vision | 1 | — | |
| Gastrointestinal | |||
| Nausea | 4 | 4 | |
| Diarrhea | 2 | 1 | |
| Can't control bowels | 2 | — | |
| Constipation | 2 | — | |
| Cramping | 1 | — | |
| Loss of appetite | 1 | 2 | |
| Unspecified | 2 | — | |
| Pulmonary | |||
| Difficulty breathing/short on breath | 3 | 5 | |
| Chest pain | 3 | — | |
| Bladder control | 2 | — | |
| Dermatologic | |||
| Hives | 1 | — | |
The medical groupings listed on this table are based on the participant's own description of the symptoms. No medical examination was given, nor was there an attempt to verify or qualify self-report symptom.