95% housebound with ME/CFS, now about 80% back after SSRIs
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Moderate (mostly housebound)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 2.5 years
- Last post
- Feb 2024
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
A GP diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, anxiety and depression in 2021.
In context ↗ - At worst: Moderate
I was 95% housebound and a trip to the doctor would put me out for days.
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
I’m about 80% back to pre-illness health
In context ↗ - Began after: glandular fever or EBV
I also got my CFS from EBV.
Read from 8 of their posts and comments; links to the 5 this page draws on
Summary
Starling 93347 became ill in 2020 with dizziness and drowsiness after an infection, later linked to EBV; CFS, anxiety and depression were diagnosed in 2021. Fatigue worsened after severe stress until 95% housebound in late 2022. SSRIs, started for depression and anxiety, cut fatigue substantially within about four weeks, and by February 2024 they were about 80% back to pre-illness health, having had some PEM at a new baseline in late 2022.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- coffee · Not said
I have one in the morning then maybe one at lunch. Sometimes it makes me a bit dizzy, anxious, and irritable, though. I work part time from home and couldn’t go without it.
In context ↗ - iron tablets · No change
My iron and protein remain low even though I take iron tablets
In context ↗ - SSRIs (antidepressants) · Helped a lot
Recently I started SSRIs (antidepressants) to treat my depression and anxiety ... Now, my fatigue has decreased substantially.
In context ↗
Approaches: Other drugs and medicines
Their path
What they say at each step doesn’t fit the worst point or outcome above on the severity scale, so the steps are listed as they describe them. Dates are when they posted.
| When | What happened | After |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | CFS onset with dizziness and drowsiness after infection and stomach painsIn 2020 I started experiencing severe dizziness, lightheadedness and drowsiness following a period of infection and stomach pains.In context ↗ | |
| November 2022 | 95% housebound; a doctor trip put them out for daysA month ago, I was 95% housebound and a trip to the doctor would put me out for days.In context ↗ | |
| December 2022 | fatigue decreased substantially; able to go out for lunches, do chores, walksNow, I’m able to go out for lunches, do chores, go for walks ect.In context ↗ | Antidepressants (unspecified) |
| February 2024 | about 80% back to pre-illness healthI’m about 80% back to pre-illness healthIn context ↗ |
Adverse events
- Caffeine and coffee“Sometimes it makes me a bit dizzy, anxious, and irritable, though.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
I had a bit of PEM yesterday so I’m certainly not ‘in the clear’
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
I started experiencing severe dizziness, lightheadedness and drowsiness
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I developed anxiety and depression due to the horrible experience of being unwell
In context ↗
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