ME/CFS with migraines and brain fog, somewhat better with amitriptyline and protein
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Not stated
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- Sep 2022
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I have severe chronic migraines, but honestly I don’t know if it’s actually linked to my ME or not
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I noticed I do tend to have more energy than I used to
In context ↗
Read from 7 of their posts and comments; links to the 7 this page draws on
Summary
Birch 10144 has ME/CFS with severe chronic migraines, fatigue and brain fog, and reported in September 2022 having gone over a year without a relapse. Amitriptyline for migraines gave more energy after a rough first week, and more dietary protein reduced brain fog, while most diets and intermittent fasting worsened symptoms. Therapy helped them cope, and a leg operation made them feel better almost immediately.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- amitriptyline · Helped
I have been on it for my migraines for about a year now, I noticed I do tend to have more energy than I used to ... The medication made my low energy a lot worse for the first week or so of taking it.
In context ↗ - talking to my therapist · Helped
I spent a lot of time talking to my therapist about how I felt. That really was what helped me the most
In context ↗ - leg surgery · Helped
the surgery made me feel better basically immediately
In context ↗ - migraine protocol · Not said
They called it a “migraine protocol” but they basically just fed me a cocktail of migraine medication till they found something that stuck.
In context ↗ - Zofran · Not said
I personally take Zofran and Rizatriptan during my bad episodes.
In context ↗ - diets · Worse
Honestly I’ve found that a lot of diets tend to make my fatigue and brain fog a lot worse
In context ↗ - intermittent fasting · Worse
a lot of diets tend to make my fatigue and brain fog a lot worse, especially intermittent fasting
In context ↗ - increase in protein · Helped
The one change that I did make in my diet that has helped me was an increase in protein, but it mainly just reduced my brain fog
In context ↗
Approaches: CBT & mindset
Their path
They say too little about how ill they were at each step to draw it on the severity scale, so the steps are listed as they describe them. Dates are when they posted.
| When | What happened | After |
|---|---|---|
| — | ME/CFS with severe chronic migraines, fatigue and brain fogI have severe chronic migraines, but honestly I don’t know if it’s actually linked to my ME or notIn context ↗ | |
| 2021-05-10 | more energy after starting amitriptylineI noticed I do tend to have more energy than I used toIn context ↗ | Amitriptyline (Elavil) |
| — | relapseIt’s been over a year since I’ve had a relapseIn context ↗ | |
| 2021-12-18 | felt better after a leg operationthe surgery made me feel better basically immediatelyIn context ↗ | |
| 2022-07-14 | more dietary protein reduced brain fogan increase in protein, but it mainly just reduced my brain fogIn context ↗ | |
| 2022-09-21 | over a year without a relapseIt’s been over a year since I’ve had a relapse and I am always worried about getting worse againIn context ↗ |
Adverse events
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)“The medication made my low energy a lot worse for the first week or so of taking it.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Intermittent fasting“a lot of diets tend to make my fatigue and brain fog a lot worse, especially intermittent fasting.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Elimination diets (other)“what hurts me more than anything is not eating enough and thats what happens when I restrict” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Headaches & migraine
I have severe chronic migraines
In context ↗ - Brain fog
a lot of diets tend to make my fatigue and brain fog a lot worse
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I am always worried about getting worse again
In context ↗
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