ME/CFS at 20% function with fatigue and brain fog, much better with St John's Wort
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 4.5 years
- Last post
- Jan 2016
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
living with CFS for the last 4-5 years
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
My CFS is probably described as a mild case. I was still able to function "normally" on the outside: I continued studying in the University, working part time
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
Went from about 20% of normal functioning to about 70-90%
In context ↗
Summary
Grove 85766, 29, had CFS for four to five years, at about 20% of normal functioning with fatigue, brain fog, pain, poor sleep and anxiety. A year of nutritional balancing gave definite progress but left him far from healed; he later improved to 70-90% with St John's Wort, D-ribose and 30-60 minutes of daily walking, plus sleep and diet. He had felt good for about half a year; St John's Wort increased his migraines, which decreased after a few months.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- Nutritional Balancing (Dr. Wilson hair mineral analysis programme) · Helped
I did that for about a year and I did see definite progress during that year. However I was still very far from being healed.
In context ↗ - sleep, rest and avoiding stress · Helped
I soon found out that I need plenty of rest, avoiding stress and exactly 8.5 hours of sleep every night.
In context ↗ - phosphorylated serine (Seriphos) · Helped a lot
stumbled on phosphorylated serine (Seriphos) that has help my sleep greatly in combination with melatonin
In context ↗ - green tea (caffeine) · Helped
I found that exactly one large serving of green tea with breakfast made me feel good
In context ↗ - eliminating caffeine · Worse
I did of course try eliminating caffeine all together, but the symptoms of fatigue and mental imparement were unbearable without it
In context ↗ - liquorice root · Not said
I experimented with different stimulants, possible uppers like liquorice root and ginseng
In context ↗ - D-Ribose · Helped a lot
Once I have started taking 15 grams a day, my wellbeing has changed dramatically for the better and my energy levels have much improved.
In context ↗ - Krebs Cycle acids (malic acid, citric acid) · Helped
I found that Krebs Cycle acids give me an energy boost without a crash
In context ↗ - acetyl-l-carnitine · Helped
Also sometimes when I need a boost, I take acetyl-l-carnitine.
In context ↗ - St. John's Wort · Helped a lot
It has done wonders for my well being to a point that I feel mostly healed.
In context ↗ - omega 3 fish oil · Helped
4 g omega 3 fish oil once with the evening meal
In context ↗ - walking and daily activity · Helped a lot
30-60 minutes of walking or some other activity make a huge difference in how I feel
In context ↗ - healthy diet (whole foods, low glycaemic index) · Helped
I follow a healthy diet and have been doing for many years.
In context ↗ - Stimulants (unspecified) · Not said
Any kind of stimulants used to give me increased anxiety
In context ↗ - Radical rest · Worse
And no, complete rest was worse to me then exercise.
In context ↗
Approaches: Exercise and activity · Pacing · Supplements
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 |
|---|---|---|
| about 2011 | CFS began after he stopped a strict raw vegan dietSome time during the following year CFS has started and got to its worst point in another year.In context ↗ | |
| about 2012 | lowest point of the illnessWent from about 20% of normal functioning to about 70-90% (100% being very healthy level of endurance and energy).In context ↗ | |
| — | a year of Nutritional Balancing gave definite progress but he was still far from healedI did that for about a year and I did see definite progress during that year. However I was still very far from being healed.In context ↗ | |
| mid-2015 | feeling good for the last half year after St John's Wort, D-ribose and daily walkingI'm now able to enjoy life again, study, spend time with family and friends, do sports (if I don't over-train) and other normal life activities.In context ↗ | St John's Wort |
Adverse events
- St John's Wort“St. John's Wort did give me one side effect, which is increase in migraine occurrence.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Stimulants (unspecified)“Any kind of stimulants used to give me increased anxiety” In context ↗ Mood or psychiatric effects
- Radical rest“And no, complete rest was worse to me then exercise.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
During it's worst time, anything more than walking or light activity would make me feel worse, proportional to how intense exercising was.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
Mental fog was a huge problem.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
I had troubles falling asleep and became a super light sleeper
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
Muscle and joint pain.
In context ↗ - Light & noise sensitivity
Light sensitivity.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I was depressed and had 0 motivation to do anything.
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
Often felt cold for no reason.
In context ↗ - Gut problems
I discovered that **digestive enzymes** make my digestion near ideal and take them to this day.
In context ↗
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