ME/CFS with brain fog and anxiety, somewhat better with Ritalin and coffee
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- Nov 2016
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I don't notice it making much of a dent in my CFS symptoms.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I sit in a comfortable chair and work 40 hours a week ... Then it's back home to lay down for the evening and recover as much as possible for the next day.
- Now: Somewhat better
I've come through the darkness of this illness to get to a sustainable place.
In context ↗
Read from 24 of their posts and comments; links to the 15 this page draws on
Summary
Birch 86012 had CFS with brain fog and anxiety, and held a demanding non-profit job before moving to a more relaxed 40-hour software role. Ritalin, taken twice a day, kept them functional; Adderall was stronger but made them aggressive, headachy and prone to stomach aches, so they settled on Ritalin plus coffee three days a week. They called the work sustainable but not quite their old self.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- Prednisone · Helped
Prednisone, a steroidal anti inflammatory, helped ease my symptoms
In context ↗ - Ritalin · Helped
Ritalin, however, has worked pretty well.
In context ↗ - regular snacks · Helped
regular snacks (for the blood sugar) are the only things that help me get through a work day
In context ↗ - B12/Folic acid supplement · Worse
The first few days were amazing, but then they threw me into a deep depression.
In context ↗ - Adderall · Worse
Adderall is much stronger and effective, but made me aggressive and irritable.
In context ↗ - coffee · Helped
coffee when I was learning and ritalin now that I work have both been key in making my brain function
In context ↗ - gluten free diet · No change
I don't notice it making much of a dent in my CFS symptoms.
In context ↗ - mindfulness meditation · Helped
The only thing I have is mindfulness meditation - focusing on the breath. ... but it really helps.
In context ↗ - pacing · Helped
I deal with the brain fog with Ritalin and pacing.
In context ↗ - talking to a therapist · Helped
I've found talking to a therapist does wonders for my anxiety
In context ↗
Approaches: Other drugs and medicines · Pacing · Stimulants
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ill and working, needing Ritalin and snacks to get through a work day5-10mg of Ritalin twice a day, as well as regular snacks (for the blood sugar) are the only things that help me get through a work day.In context ↗ | Mild |
| 2015-10-17 | switched to a relaxed software job, 40-hour week, one day from homeI got good enough that I could take a pay cut to work only 40 hours a week.In context ↗ | Mild |
| 2016-10-23 | functioning and holding a full-time job, not back to their old selfIt allows me to function again. Not quite as good as the old me, but well enough to get by.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Vitamin B12, Folate / folic acid supplements“Last night and today, however, I'm having a rough round of depression.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Amphetamine salts (Adderall)“If I don't watch it with the Adderall, it can wear me out” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Vitamin B12“The first few days were amazing, but then they threw me into a deep depression.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Amphetamine salts (Adderall)“I used adderall for a while but it made my stomach hurt” In context ↗ Gut side effects
- Caffeine and coffee“More than that results in a coffee addiction, which I don't want to deal with again.” In context ↗ Withdrawal problems
- Amphetamine salts (Adderall)“Adderall is much stronger and effective, but made me aggressive and irritable.” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Amphetamine salts (Adderall)“It also gave me headaches and made me prone to stomach aches.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Brain fog
They help to cut through the brain fog.
In context ↗ - Post-exertional malaise
if I pace poorly Ritalin won't pull me out of the fog
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I've found talking to a therapist does wonders for my anxiety
In context ↗
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