The following questions assess whether you experience Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM), which is an abnormal response to minimal amounts of physical and/or cognitive exertion, with symptom severity and duration out of proportion to the initial trigger. These symptoms can last for days or weeks, and the worsening of symptoms is sometimes delayed by hours or days. It is one of the key symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and it is very different from fatigue.
Disclaimer: This screener is not meant to provide medical diagnoses. Please consult with your physician if you believe you may experience Post-Exertional Malaise.
You will be presented a series of symptoms. For each one please rate how often (frequency) and how intensely (severity) you have experienced this symptom over the past 6 months.
Next day soreness or fatigue after non-strenuous, everyday activities
Frequency: Throughout the past 6 months, how often have you had this symptom?
0
None of the time
1
A little of the time
2
About half the time
3
Most of the time
4
All of the time
Severity: Throughout the past 6 months, when this symptom is present, how severe is it?
0
Not present
1
Mild
2
Moderate
3
Severe
4
Very severe
Mentally tired after the slightest effort
Frequency: Throughout the past 6 months, how often have you had this symptom?
0
None of the time
1
A little of the time
2
About half the time
3
Most of the time
4
All of the time
Severity: Throughout the past 6 months, when this symptom is present, how severe is it?
0
Not present
1
Mild
2
Moderate
3
Severe
4
Very severe
Physically drained or sick after mild activity
Frequency: Throughout the past 6 months, how often have you had this symptom?
0
None of the time
1
A little of the time
2
About half the time
3
Most of the time
4
All of the time
Severity: Throughout the past 6 months, when this symptom is present, how severe is it?
0
Not present
1
Mild
2
Moderate
3
Severe
4
Very severe
Dead, heavy feeling after starting to exercise
You can interpret the word exercise as any daily activity you do such as even walking around in your house.
Frequency: Throughout the past 6 months, how often have you had this symptom?
0
None of the time
1
A little of the time
2
About half the time
3
Most of the time
4
All of the time
Severity: Throughout the past 6 months, when this symptom is present, how severe is it?
0
Not present
1
Mild
2
Moderate
3
Severe
4
Very severe
Minimum exercise makes you physically tired
You can interpret the word exercise as any daily activity you do such as even walking around in your house.
Frequency: Throughout the past 6 months, how often have you had this symptom?
0
None of the time
1
A little of the time
2
About half the time
3
Most of the time
4
All of the time
Severity: Throughout the past 6 months, when this symptom is present, how severe is it?
0
Not present
1
Mild
2
Moderate
3
Severe
4
Very severe
Over the past 6 months, have you experienced post-exertional malaise, which is defined as an abnormal response to minimal amounts of physical and/or cognitive exertion, with symptom severity and duration out of proportion to the initial trigger?
Yes
No
1. What were some of your triggers for post-exertional malaise? (select all that apply)
Minimal amounts of physical and/or cognitive exertion
Basic activities of daily living like going to the toilet, bathing, dressing, communicating, and/or reading
Positional changes (e.g., your body position is shifted from lying down to standing)
Emotional stress (good or bad)
Chemicals
Foods
Light
Heat
Cold
Noise
Visual overload
Watching movement (such as a video)
Sensory overload
Mold
2. How long does your post-exertional malaise symptoms typically last?
I do not experience post-exertional malaise
< 1 hour
1 - 12 hours
13 - 24 hours
25 - 48 hours
2 days - 1 week
1 week - 1 month
Greater than 1 month
3. Are your typical post-exertional malaise symptoms delayed in onset?
I do not experience post-exertional malaise
No delay in symptom onset
1 hour or less delay
2 - 23-hour delay
1 - 2 days delay
3 days or longer delay
4. "Pacing" includes strategies that are designed to avoid or reduce post-exertional malaise. These strategies include: reducing physical, cognitive, and/or emotional activity, or resting during or immediately after activity. How effective are strategies like these in avoiding or reducing your post-exertional malaise?
Because of these types of strategies, I no longer experience post-exertional malaise
These types of strategies are moderately effective
These types of strategies are mildly effective
These types of strategies are barely effective
These types of strategies are not effective
I do not need to use these strategies as I do not have post-exertional malaise
You will now be presented a series of post-exertional malaise symptoms. Some people experience these symptoms most or all of the time, even without any physical or cognitive activity. However, post-exertional malaise involves much worse episodes of symptoms after you have done a bit more exertion than usual. The symptoms can be delayed after the triggering exertion, and can last for days or much longer before the episode eases. For each one, please indicate if you have experienced this symptom due to PEM over the past 6 months.
For each symptom below, please indicate if you have experienced the symptom due to post-exertional malaise in the last 6 months.
Your responses to the screener questions are scored below. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more frequent and severe Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).
Your Summary Score
Based on your responses to this screener, you may experience Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).
Click continue to answer additional questions and to compare your responses against a large sample of individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
Your responses to the screener questions are scored below. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more frequent and severe Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).
Your Summary Score
Based on your responses to this screener, it is unlikely you experience Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).
My Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) Summary
Here is your score compared to ~600 patients and ~150 healthy controls. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more frequent and severe Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).