ME/CFS for 20 years with brain fog and exhaustion, now near normal after Ritalin
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 20 years
- Last post
- Oct 2023
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I have had CFS for 20 years.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I have a good career from the outside I looked organised and had things under control. I have 2 kids. Maintaining this was hard work. I was completely burnt out.
In context ↗ - Now: Near normal
Ritalin has changed my life. I’m a little tired before and after my dose, but not like before.
In context ↗
Read from 1 of their posts and comments; links to the one this page draws on
Summary
A person who had CFS for 20 years, with brain fog, exhaustion and PEM, had a good career and two children while completely burnt out. After being diagnosed with inattentive ADHD they were prescribed Ritalin, which they said changed their life: their thoughts calmed, they had more energy and daily living felt less hard, and they slept well without melatonin. They remained a little tired before and after each dose.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- melatonin · Not said
I was taking melatonin before. I don’t need it now.
In context ↗ - Ritalin · Helped a lot
Ritalin has changed my life. I’m a little tired before and after my dose, but not like before.
In context ↗
Approaches: Stimulants
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 | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| about 2003 (20 years before posting) | CFS beganI have had CFS for 20 years.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| before her ADHD assessment | burnt out while holding a career and raising two childrenMaintaining this was hard work. I was completely burnt out.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2023 | Ritalin for newly diagnosed inattentive ADHD; calmer mind, better sleep, less burnt outRitalin has changed my life. I’m a little tired before and after my dose, but not like before.In context ↗ | Near normal | Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) |
Adverse events
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)“I’m a little tired before and after my dose, but not like before.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
I had classic cfs symptoms like brain fog, exhaustion, inability to stay awake, body fatigue, PEM.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
I was taking melatonin before. I don’t need it now.
In context ↗
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