Bedridden with ME/CFS on painkillers, now much better with a supplement and rest schedule
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Severe (mostly bedbound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 17 years
- Last post
- Aug 2025
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I have had chronic pain and fatigue for about 17 years
In context ↗ - At worst: Severe
Taking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed ... I haven't been able to have a full day up on my feet in 15 years
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
With the rest and the supplement, my life has turned around. My symptoms are still there, but life is easier to deal with
In context ↗
Summary
He had chronic pain and fatigue for about 17 years and retired early from work as a paramedic. On Cymbalta, tramadol and muscle relaxers he was largely bedridden. He stopped the drugs, found an unnamed natural supplement and a two-hours-up, two-hours-down rest schedule, and said his life turned around. Ten years on he still worked part-time and had to rest every two hours or he got migraines.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- medicinal mushrooms (chaga, reishi, turkey tail) · Helped
I take chaga, reishi, and turkey tail every other day.
In context ↗ - kratom · Helped a lot
I take kratom for my pain and fatigue and really recommend it.
In context ↗ - opioids · Worse
I was a heavy opioid user after my spinal cord surgery amd had lots stomach issues.
In context ↗ - 2 hours up and 2 hours down rest schedule · Helped
With the rest and the supplement, my life has turned around.
In context ↗ - cymbalta · Worse
Taking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed.
In context ↗
Approaches: Other drugs and medicines · Pacing · Supplements
Their path
How ill they were on the ME/CFS severity scale, estimated from what they describe at each point, with time counted from when the illness began. Hover or tap a point. 1 step has no time and sits in story order between the steps around it. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 (about 17 years before his 2025 posts) | chronic pain and fatigue began while still working as a paramedicI have had chronic pain and fatigue for about 17 yearsIn context ↗ | Mild |
| — | bedridden and unable to do anything while on Cymbalta, tramadol and muscle relaxersTaking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed.In context ↗ | Severe |
| 2015 (system kept in play for the last 10 years) | stopped all medications, found a natural supplement and built a paced rest scheduleWith the rest and the supplement, my life has turned around.In context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2025-08-27 | working part-time a few hours a day with two hours up and two hours downMy schedule is basically 2 hours up and 2 hours down.In context ↗ | Moderate |
Adverse events
- Opioids (unspecified)“I was a heavy opioid user after my spinal cord surgery amd had lots stomach issues.” In context ↗ Gut side effects
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)“Taking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Tramadol“Taking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- “Taking cymbalta, tramadol, and muscle relaxers kept me in bed.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Pain & fibromyalgia
I have had chronic pain and fatigue for about 17 years
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
I have to rest every 2 hours for 2 hours or I get migraines.
In context ↗ - Gut problems
I was a heavy opioid user after my spinal cord surgery amd had lots stomach issues.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I struggled mentally because I just wasn't doing anything but being tired all the time.
In context ↗
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