Years of ME/CFS fatigue, aches and memory problems, somewhat better with ZMA
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- May 2015
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I have them all- chronic fatigue, muscle aches, muscle soreness, bone aches, memory issues, wanting to lie in bed all day, anxiety, depression.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I would constantly doze off during work and school even if I had just taken a caffeine pill prior.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
My energy levels changed massively. ... ZMA has not only reduced the number of hours of sleep I need nightly but also increased the amount of energy, enthusiasm, and zeal I have by a substantial degree.
In context ↗
Summary
After a few years of chronic fatigue, aches, memory problems, anxiety and unrefreshing sleep that they linked to finasteride, the user found ZMA (zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6) the only thing that helped. The first night brought deep, fully restorative sleep, and within a few months energy and enthusiasm rose substantially, an effect that had not worn off. Testosterone, thyroid replacement and zinc taken alone did nothing.
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What they tried
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- ZMA (zinc, magnesium apartate + a little bit of vitamin b6) · Helped a lot
The first night I took it I had the most wonderful, deepest sleep of my life.
In context ↗ - zinc glycinate, orotate, and monomethionine · No change
I never noticed anything from them when taken individually.
In context ↗ - caffeine pills and stimulants · No change
even if I had just taken a caffeine pill prior ... how many stimulants I was on I would always feel tired
In context ↗ - finasteride · Much worse
I took finasteride (hair loss medication) a few years ago and experienced seemingly permanent sexual side effects since.
In context ↗ - testosterone · No change
I've been on testosterone and thyroid replacement therapy, both of which did nothing to improve my symptoms.
In context ↗
Approaches: Supplements
Their path
How ill they were on the ME/CFS severity scale, estimated from what they describe at each point, in the order they describe; they don’t give enough times to place each step. Hover or tap a point. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| a few years before 2015 | chronic fatigue, aches, memory problems, anxiety and depression after taking finasterideI took finasteride (hair loss medication) a few years ago and experienced seemingly permanent sexual side effects since.In context ↗ | Mild |
| a few months before 2015-05-24 | started ZMA an hour before bed and woke fully rested after six hoursThe first night I took it I had the most wonderful, deepest sleep of my life.In context ↗ | Mild |
| 2015-05-24 | full benefit sustained; energy, enthusiasm and zeal up substantiallyThe effects have not worn off after these few months and I still receive full benefit from it.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Finasteride (Propecia)“I took finasteride (hair loss medication) a few years ago and experienced seemingly permanent sexual side effects since. I have them all- chronic fatigue, muscle aches, muscle soreness, bone aches, memory issues” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Sleep problems
I couldn't remember the last time I had woken up and not had to fight the urge to go back to sleep.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I have them all- chronic fatigue, muscle aches, muscle soreness, bone aches, memory issues
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
muscle aches, muscle soreness, bone aches
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
anxiety, depression
In context ↗
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