ME/CFS
Moderate → no benefitIll for 4 years
ME/CFS for four years with body aches and brain fog; little from naltrexone, still ill
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill for
- 4 years
- Last post
- Jul 2026
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I've been dealing with CFS/ME for over 4 years
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
Because of certain meds I'm able to get about 3-4 hours a day to enjoy my hobbies.
In context ↗ - Now: No benefit
The mental and physical issues are both really intense at the moment.
In context ↗ - Began after: nothing they could name
After that year I started experiencing symptoms of CFS/ME
Read from 42 of their posts and comments; links to the 30 this page draws on
Summary
A 29-year-old Australian with ME/CFS for four years described constant discomfort, sleep problems, body aches and brain fog. ADHD stimulants (Vyvanse and dexamfetamine) helped them function and with suicidal thoughts, and certain medications let them enjoy hobbies for 3-4 hours a day; nicotine patches, low-dose Abilify and cannabis helped. Naltrexone, SSRIs, antipsychotics and gabapentin gave little, and they stayed ill, limited to sedentary hobbies.
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What they tried
Also tried
Vyvanse· Helped a lotDexamphetamine instant release· Helped a lotMelatonin· HelpedDoxylamine· HelpedDimenhydrinate / Diphenhydramine· HelpedDimenhydrinate / Diphenhydramine· HelpedAmbien· HelpedZopiclone· HelpedNAC· HelpedCBD full spectrum oil with THC· HelpedCBN· HelpedCBG· HelpedPEA· HelpedKratom· HelpedKetamine· HelpedNicotine patches· Helped · wore offDXM· HelpedPropranolol / beta blocker· HelpedLow dose Abilify· HelpedRexulti· HelpedJogging and long walks in nature· HelpedCreatine· HelpedInositol· HelpedNAG· HelpedTurmeric· HelpedWeed / cannabis· Helped · wore offBenzodiazepines· HelpedPsychedelics / LSD microdosing· HelpedAlcohol· HelpedD-ribose· HelpedALCAR· HelpedAstaxanthin· HelpedSSRIs/SNRIs, tricyclics, MAOI, Zoloft· No changeGabapentin / Lyrica· No changeLow dose naltrexone· No changeTherapy· No changeMagnesium· No changeApigenin· No changeCertain herbal supplements· No changeAntipsychotics (Olanzapine, Seroquel)· WorseRitalin· WorseConcerta· WorseERP for OCD· WorseWellbutrin· Not saidMeditation and somatic exercises· Not saidCoQ10· Not saidL-theanine· Not saidMethadone· Not saidPacing· Not saidEating healthy· Not said
Their words about each treatment
- Melatonin · Helped
Melatonin worked really well for me before I had CFS. Now it helps at times but other times it doesn't do much.
In context ↗ - Doxylamine · Helped
Certain medications like Dimenhydrinate (converts to Diphenhydramine) and Doxylamine really help me sleep
In context ↗ - Ambien · Helped
I've had Ambien in the past and it's helped a lot.
In context ↗ - Zopiclone · Helped
I've tried Ambien and Zopiclone which worked well but it's extremely difficult to get them prescribed
In context ↗ - SSRIs/SNRIs, tricyclics, MAOI, Zoloft · No change
I'm on 150mg of Zoloft but I don't feel like it's doing a lot so I may start tapering off it soon.
In context ↗ - Antipsychotics (Olanzapine, Seroquel) · Worse
I've been prescribed antipsychotics like Olanzapine and Seroquel for sleep which helped but messed with my other meds the next day
In context ↗ - Gabapentin / Lyrica · No change
I've tried many antidepressants, antipsychotics, Gabapentin/lyrics etc. with not a lot of relief
In context ↗ - Low dose naltrexone · No change
I do take low dose naltrexone but it's not helping much with reducing my alcohol use. I've tried the 50mg dose with not a lot of success as well.
In context ↗ - NAC · Helped
I take NAC to help prevent liver issues from alcohol and it helps with my CFS/ME symptoms.
In context ↗ - CBD full spectrum oil with THC · Helped
CBD full spectrum oil with small amounts of THC was really helpful for certain issues like anxiety and nausea.
In context ↗ - CBN · Helped
I also tried CBN, CBG and CBC together which were great as well
In context ↗ - PEA · Helped
PEA is another helpful medication.
In context ↗ - Kratom · Helped
Kratom is great but I just want to warn you that it is addictive
In context ↗ - Ketamine · Helped
Ketamine helps me but it's unfortunately not available as a mental health treatment in the country I live in
In context ↗ - Vyvanse · Helped a lot
I use Vyvanse and Dexamphetamine Instant release throughout the day and it's the only thing that helps me function
In context ↗ - Ritalin · Worse
I've also tried Ritalin and Concerta in the past but they made me way too jittery and anxious.
In context ↗ - Nicotine patches · Helped
I've found out that Nicotine patches help me with CFS/ME, I don't take them every day.
In context ↗ - Wellbutrin · Not said
I've been prescribed the antidepressant Wellbutrin for my mental issues and to give me more energy
In context ↗ - DXM · Helped
I find low doses of DXM beneficial and will continue to use DXM.
In context ↗ - Propranolol / beta blocker · Helped
I'm on a beta blocker which helps me a bit with the heart rate.
In context ↗ - Low dose Abilify · Helped
Low dose abilify helps but is much more mild than my ADHD meds or Nicotine.
In context ↗ - Rexulti · Helped
I'm prescribed Rexulti at the moment which is very similar to Abilify. I take 0.5mg
In context ↗ - ERP for OCD · Worse
I then got CFS/ME and tried to do ERP for my OCD and it just made CFS worse.
In context ↗ - Therapy · No change
I've tried medications and therapy with not a lot of success.
In context ↗ - Meditation and somatic exercises · Not said
I can still meditate and do somatic exercises but I don't feel like doing them as much
In context ↗ - Jogging and long walks in nature · Helped
Jogging and long walks in nature were really helpful for my mental health.
In context ↗ - CoQ10 · Not said
I also take certain supplements such as Coq10, creatine, l-theanine and Magnesium.
In context ↗ - Creatine · Helped
Creatine is good as well
In context ↗ - Magnesium · No change
Supplements like Magnesium, Apigenin, CBD, certain herbal supplements etc. also don't seem to help me much for sleep.
In context ↗ - Inositol · Helped
Inositol gave me some relief years before I had CFS/ME.
In context ↗ - NAG · Helped
I've got NAG and Turmeric which I find both help me but I don't take them often
In context ↗ - Weed / cannabis · Helped
Weed used to work wonderfully for me but now I just have to be careful with it
In context ↗ - Benzodiazepines · Helped
I take benzos once or twice a week when I'm really struggling with my anxiety and OCD.
In context ↗ - Methadone · Not said
I take a small amount of methadone daily
In context ↗ - Psychedelics / LSD microdosing · Helped
Microdosing psychedelics, taking very low doses of Ketamine or DXM ... These all help me
In context ↗ - Alcohol · Helped
I feel really good and like I'm not ill if I drink aound 4-6 beers. But once it's worn off CFS is worse for the next day or so
In context ↗ - Pacing · Not said
I've tried so many meds, supplements, eating healthy, pacing, seeing doctors and specialists etc.
In context ↗ - Eating healthy · Not said
tried many different medications, types of therapy, exercise and eating well etc. with not much success
In context ↗ - D-ribose · Helped
D-ribose and ALCAR definitely help a bit for me.
In context ↗ - Astaxanthin · Helped
I've found it helpful in several ways. Definitely worth trying
In context ↗
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. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | developed CFS/ME symptoms about a year after rehabAfter that year I started experiencing symptoms of CFS/ME, Depersonalisation/Derealisation and very intense anhedonia.In context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2025-10-07 | ADHD stimulants give a few hours of hobbies a dayMy ADHD meds last around 5-6 hours daily and are honestly a blessing, they improve the quality of my life so muchIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2025-10-12 | CFS worse the day after drinking beeronce it's worn off CFS is worse for the next day or so and I'm at risk of triggering MEIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2026-07-13 | still ill; D-ribose, ALCAR and creatine help a bitD-ribose and ALCAR definitely help a bit for me. Creatine is good as wellIn context ↗ | Moderate |
Adverse events
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)“I've also tried Ritalin and Concerta in the past but they made me way too jittery and anxious.” In context ↗ Side effects
- CBT and psychotherapy“I then got CFS/ME and tried to do ERP for my OCD and it just made CFS worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- “I've been prescribed antipsychotics like Olanzapine and Seroquel for sleep which helped but messed with my other meds the next day, gave me unpleasant side effects” In context ↗ Side effects
- Low-dose Abilify / aripiprazole“had a weird reaction to Abilify at a psych ward. One of the nurses said they thought I might have had an allergic reaction” In context ↗ Allergic reaction / anaphylaxis
- “I've been on around 6 antipsychotics over the years. I had awful side effects from a couple of them” In context ↗ Side effects
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse, Elvanse), Dexamfetamine (Dexedrine), Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)“the chest tightness is more noticeable when I take stimulants including psychedelics with stimulant effects like LSD” In context ↗ Other
- Cannabis (THC, marijuana)“Weed with normal or high amounts of THC can make me really anxious.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- “I took a sleeping med about 2 hours ago and now I'm restless and sleepy but my body doesn't want to go to sleep for some reason” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
- Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)“it can be hard to sleep if I take it at night so I take it in the morning” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
- Sertraline (Zoloft), Bupropion (Wellbutrin)“I also feel numb and they can give me certain side effects like having negative effects on my libido” In context ↗ Side effects
- Benzodiazepines (unspecified)“I started self medicating with Alcohol and benzos. This eventually lead to abuse and addiction of drugs like heroin, Meth, Alcohol, benzos etc.” In context ↗ Withdrawal problems
Symptoms mentioned
Anxiety & low moodBrain fogHeadaches & migraineHeart symptoms & palpitationsLight & noise sensitivityPOTS & dysautonomiaPain & fibromyalgiaPost-exertional malaiseTemperature regulation
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
It can be frustrating trying to avoid crashes while taking stimulant meds.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
weird aches and pains around my body, brain fog and Depersonalisation/derealisation
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
CFS/ME and POTS make my anxiety worse and my anxiety makes CFS/ME worse
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
weird aches and pains around my body
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
weird pressure in my head area like someone is grabbing my brain
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
I have high functioning autism and have always dealt with sensory issues but CFS makes my sensory issues ten times worse
In context ↗ - Heart symptoms & palpitations
I'm on a beta blocker which helps me a bit with the heart rate
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I deal with suicidal thoughts daily because of my mental issues and CFS
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
freezing cold one second then boiling hot for no reason
In context ↗