None of the medications that I have taken are helping with fatigue and energy, and are causing a lot of side effects. So I'm thinking about going on Dr. Teitelbaum's protocol for fibro and CFS: D-Ribose, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Co Q10 and 5-HTP. Has anyone tried these supplements and did you have any results (good or bad)?
View 2 RepliesThis adventure started about 9 months ago. Instead of my normal routine of get up, eat, hygiene, off to work (I was a remodeling contractor), I started falling back to sleep after breakfast. I must pretext this by saying that I take 40 mg of Adderall in the am and the afternoon. First it was 1/2 hour and eventually 3 hours. Then it was an afternoon nap also, Then an evening nap. This was not every day but most days. About eight or so weeks ago, I developed a blood clot behind my left knee and several in my lungs (as a result of being on my knees for long periods of time installing floor trim we figure). After I got out of the hospital, I started a slow but sure incline in my energy level. Then on October 23 (my 40th birthday) I got short of breath, disoriented, incapable of making clear decisions. eventually I called 911 and when the EMTs got here I had a blood O2 level of 89%. They took me to the ER in a bus and I have never been the same since. I have experienced no increase in my energy level, I have a sore throat most of the time, flu like symptoms, muscle weakness, Most days my mind is still strong but not all, I am functioning at about 25% of what I used to be capable of, I have problems pulling the proper word out of my brain (sometimes 8 or more times per day), I feel run down especially the day after I over do it, at least 4 people have recently tried to talk to me about conversations that I have no memory of, my allergies are not only out of control they are the opposite of what I usually experience (instead of a dry nose I now have a constantly runny nose and I sneeze 50 times per day. I did test positive for Epstein-Barr exposure at some point in my life. I have 6 of the eight symptoms for diagnosis and like 25 of the 35 or so that people with CFS report. We have not yet ruled out MS, Lupus, and all of the kinds of cancer that are required for a CFS diagnosis, but I am almost positive it is CFS. Thoughts?
View 2 Repliesis everybody on the same meds and supplements ? do people have "favourites" or things they "must have"?
View 4 RepliesI am just wondering whether anyone has had genetic testing to rule out causes of fatigue? Myself and my brother both suffer with extreme tiredness and I'm wondering if it's worth asking for it to be investigated down the genetic route.
View 9 RepliesI definitely have anxiety and am now wondering if I also have CFS. Or maybe something else?
Brief list of symptoms...
Fatigue (groggy & heavy type tiredness)
Brain Fog
Feeling detached and 'spaced out'
Muscle weakness (especially in extremities and legs)
Sensitive to light and sound
Sometimes feels like I have flu or a bad virus (although I know I haven't)
Feels like I sometimes have a lump in my throat
Light headed
Light dizziness
Easily tired out
There are a few more general symptoms, but the more I read my lengthy list of symptoms, the worse I feel! Ha ha :-D
Brief History...
I have had anxiety issues on and off for many years and also hormone induced migraines. This year the migraines are definitely worse and so too is the anxiety. I had an 8 day brutal migraine early/mid September, followed by 8 days of severe brain fog/fuzzy head. I haven't been the same since. I'm also wondering if my symptoms are migraine related? I've had 2 full blood tests done and 2 urine samples taken. All came back normal/clear and healthy. I've also been to see an ENT consultant and he has ruled out an inner ear virus. He also checked my throat and balance. I had a full eye examination last week and my eyes are in great shape. I have an MRI booked next week and am also waiting an app have an ECG recorder fitted for 48 hours. I have not yet seen a neurologist or anyone else. My Doctor is saying it is all down to anxiety.
Is anybody experiencing anything similar? I feel more anxious not knowing what is happening to my own body!
I'm a thirteen year old girl with an unhelpful doctor who literally doesn't want anything to do with me because I'm 'hard work' to diagnose. My family believes it's chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or both. So that's the home treatment path I'm taking. My symptoms have been going for 6 months now and they are diarrhea, nausea, joint aches, headaches, fatigue, confusion, dizziness brain fog, tenderness, weakness and muscle pain. I've been tested for crohn's, ulcerative colitis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, parasites, dysbiosis, virus, infections and celiac disease. I also have eczema, restless legs, irritable bowel, anxiety and gastroesophageal reflux disease. I'm not under any stress at the moment.
View 3 RepliesI have had chronic fatigue for over 2.5 years and as I'm sure is the same with the rest of you, have had no luck in finding adequate treatment. My symptoms are daily fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, pain (especially in sinuses), and general malaise. My worst symptom is post-exertional malaise - I feel awful after any type of exertion. All the lab tests come back normal and the only treatments provided are antidepressants, limited exercise, etc.
Here is the question: does anyone else who has CFS also have insulin resistance? Does anyone know of any link? Can insulin resistance cause chronic fatigue? Can insulin resistance cause post-exertional malaise and fatigue?
I was diagnosed in 2002 with insulin resistance and am curious if it is linked to CFS. Both are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Please share your thoughts!
Just wondered how other people cope with the family holiday. Being out of your normal routines and in a new place perhaps. What do you put in place to help you cope?
Being at home knackered is one thing but being in a caravan, apartment or hotel etc. is much different. Having to be mobile and do holiday stuff with the kids, can and is an overload for my system. Do you avoid going away because of things like this or is it just me?
The last 10-day holiday we took has taken me 4 months to get over! (Moreover, I was still feeling rough after 4 months…) I know I am lucky to be able to grab a family holiday, but I do wonder at times, if it’s more harm than good taking a holiday with ME/CFS.
I am currently applying for jobs, but I am unsure answer yes or no to the do you have a disability? question. I do have CFS, which does impact my life, although I am able to work. What do you think?
Went to see my gp yesterday and told her about my heart beat readings I've been having recently of 115 just to walk downstairs, 124 to walk upstairs, 135 to walk downstairs on a bad day. My heart rate goes up from 74 to 105 when laying down to standing. She took my heart rate as a sat there and it was 98. She's now sending me for an ECG. She thinks it might be to do with the sack or lining around the heart? She told me the official names but I was silly and didn't get her to write it down. Now I can't remember what she called. She said she has seen cases before.
View 3 RepliesI was wondering if anyone else diagnosed with ME is constantly thirsty? I've had all the blood tests (and have been diagnosed with ME), so diabetes is omitted. It seems to be worse on an evening and I'm always topping up my fluids with water and herbal teas-so plenty hydrated! It's not my worse symptom, but just wondering if it was common?
View 28 RepliesJust wondering whether people get any unexplained bruising or get easily bruised? I get them quite often and it's worrying me. My rheumatologist said that it can happen as our body is over sensitive.
View 12 RepliesI am a 32 year old female. My question relates to Exercise Intolerance. I am very unfit and am wanting to get fit for the first time in my life but whenever I start even an easy exercise program, I get really wiped out. I usually feel okay after my "workout" (barely a plausible term) session, but feel extremely fatigued the next day. Which interrupts my program. This can be very irregular tho, sometimes I can do quite a bit and feel fine the next day. I had bulimia, starting at age 17 for 10 years and am wondering if this is still the effects on my body. I have no other side effects from the bulimia. Apart from that I have suffered Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but these symptoms disappear if I don't exercise. I have had my heart and lungs checked out, blood tests etc, all come back fine. Can someone please, please shed some light as to why I get so exhausted following even a small amount of exercise. It doesnt seem to matter be it cardio or weights.
View 1 RepliesAnyone smoke with CFS? I dislike drinking a ton so I was wondering if anyone smokes marijuana? I've seen online it's good for it and it doesn't make it worse... Anyone ?
View 13 RepliesHi everyone, I was diagnosed with CFS/ME a year ago and since having surgery last November it has got so bad that I am unable to return to my job I am only 22 and it's really making me upset.
I have had all the blood tests available and all came back negative apart from today my doctor called and said I have a vitamin D deficiency and has given me 3 months worth of medication. Has anyone else with CFS/ME got a vitamin D deficiency? Also did supplements help your CFS? Or even cure it? How long did it take for you to feel better?
I had stuff to do today that I could not leave. I have since had several dizzy spells. I get these when I do the school run. Has anyone fully passed out?
View 9 RepliesAs we were chatting about teeth earlier on the spectacles thread I thought I would start one specifically about ME and teeth.
I think I have mentioned this before, but when I saw my dentist a while ago and told him that I had been diagnosed with ME he informed me that if ever I needed to have a local anaesthetic injection he would give me one which doesn't contain adrenaline ....... because anything with adrenaline is a complete no no for ME sufferers.
One of the theories about the cause of ME as some of us know, is that for some reason we are unable to 'switch' off adrenaline as a 'normal' person would and as a result we just drain all our energy, and the only way to regain it is by resting. I am convinced that there has to be an awful lot of truth in this theory.
Several months before I was diagnosed with ME I had extensive reconstructive work done on my upper teeth (my generation didn't have fluoride toothpaste and many of us subsequently have soft teeth), and I often wonder if the dozen or so adrenaline injections triggered something. Also, I had a lot of amalgam fillings removed, and I wonder if the lead from these was released into my system during the drilling.
Who knows - but hopefully one day we will find out what causes this wretched illness :?
So folks ..... no injections which contain adrenaline.
I am currently waiting to see CFS specialist hopefully in the next two weeks. I am b12 deficiency and also have underactive thyroid. Since the end of February I have gained around 1 stone. I have an extremely fussy diet as I don't eat Red Meat, Fish or Pasta. My diet is mainly Vegetables, Chicken and Potatoes but have gained weight like nothing on earth. Before all this CFS i was doing exercise classes twice a week but now can't get out of bed most of the time. Anybody else have similar experiences? I still go for a country walk at the weekends when I feel up to it but apart from that I'm at a loss at how to shift the weight. My GP has been monitoring it but he said there is nothing we can do at the moment.
View 4 RepliesSeen a pain doctor who suggested I get mr thyroid checked although it has always been normal but he said I should get my parathyroid tested my gp has only ever done 2 test in his 25 years of being a doc.
View 1 RepliesI see most people lump CFS and ME together and they are not the same disease. They should be referred to separately as many of the symptoms of ME are not the symptoms of CFS. You can't die from CFS but ME can be a debilitating disease that can get progressively worse and CAN lead to death. So whichever one you are suffering from, what helps you feel better with CFS most likely will not help you feel better with ME. I am definitely on the upswing with my CFS. I walked almost 2 miles this morning and am feeling better every day. I think I am on the road to a total remission again. ME patients really have to monitor their activity levels so as not to cause themselves to go backwards and aggravate their condition. Don't lump these conditions together because they are totally different. Think of them separately and they need to be treated separately.
View 59 RepliesHave any of you begun to recover or recovered significantly from CFS?
I want to get a feel for if recovery is age related (do younger folk recover more quickly?) Or if it's related to how badly you suffered from CFS in the first place.
I've that broadly, younger folk get better quicker. I've also heard that if somebody has had sudden onset, maybe caused by a virus, then they are more likely to recover in about three years.
What do you know?