Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
New here, trying to find an answer to many problems--namely balance issues.
I was tested by a NP at neurologist office. She tested me for Past Exposure to Epstein Barr. I was something like 600 when the max, I believe, is about 14.
I originally had this disease when I was 20, seemed to take a long time to recover, and six months later I started showing symptoms of the autoimmue disease, Graves' hyperthyroidism. It was treated four years later (took me that long to get drs to take me seriously) with I131 which destroyed my thyroid. Have been on replacement thyroid hormone ever since.
My mother who lived with me noticed my extreme fatigue after a day of doing a lot of yard work. This was in my 20's (and continues on today...am 58). I was literally wasted for a couple of days afterward and spent much of my time on the courch. Then after a couple of days I was ok enough to even paint the walls of the house.
This fatigue thing as described has plagued ever since. And now I am experimentating with antidepressants for depression and anxiety (psychiatrist prescribed)...boy am I so wasted and INCREDIBLY sleepy. Also more depressed. This has happened with every SSRI (now on Zoloft), and I would abandon them in a few days....the increased depression would scare me (everything looked so bleak). The only AD which hasn't done this to me is Wellbutrin. However, after about 6 weeks on it, I get tired. Not the extreme fatigue and INCREDIBLE sleepiness but a tiredness in my legs. Also somewhat irritable and antsy.
Everything I have read says that depression and anxiety become worse during the first few days of SSRIs...perhaps I am abandoning them too soon?
Have recently been doing the methylation protocol after my psychiatrist tested me and found I have MTHFR, C677T and A1298C. She prescribed Deplin, 15 mg of l methyl folate (at least in that amount), but I swear that supplement makes me more depressed.
Help...and thanks for having me.
Annie...PS the NP prescribed vit B with MTHFR, alpha lipoic acid and acetyl l carntine BUT Only the Pure Encapsulations brand. Apparently this company adds a little fat soluble vit C which then gets the C into the neural cells. She said that even though I long ago had EB she says EB can get in the neural cells and C gets past the fatty membrane which helps.
Don't know if this info will be helpful...have always been slimmish.
I take Wellbutrin and Cipralex. my physician told me that the Wellbutrin takes you slightly up and the Cipralex takes you slightly down. So I asked if they wouldn't 'cancel each other out'??? But he said he was on that combination himself and it had made the world of difference. My anxiety and depression have definitely improved
Hugs
Many of us with CFS/ME are unable to take antidepressants. They seem to make us worse. I can only speak for myself, but have been told by my CFS specialist that unless a person is clinically depressed, AD'S may make them feel sicker.
I think we are depressed/sad/disappointed/lonely.....because our lives have been taken from us, but our brain chemicals are not needing repair. It's not "clinical depression".
I do hope you get a firm diagnosis and that your doctor listens to your complaints very carefully. I do hope you feel better. I, also, had Epstein Barr in my twenties and got CFS years later!