ME/CFS at university, now somewhat better after going vegan
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill before improving or writing
- 2.5 years
- Last post
- Feb 2019
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I was diagnosed with ME/CFS nearly 18 months ago
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I'd class myself as having mild CFS. I work full time in a job that I adore
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
I had a crash every few weeks last year and I've had one ALL year! And I've been able to work full time and have got a new job that I love!
In context ↗ - Began after: stress or burnout
a little too hard at uni which is how I developed CFS!
Read from 15 of their posts and comments; links to the 10 this page draws on
Summary
Kite 49550 fell ill with ME/CFS in her final year at university, after pushing herself too hard, and was diagnosed in late 2016. She went vegan in January 2018 and credits it with a large improvement: crashes dropped from every few weeks to one all year, and she worked full time as a photographer. She still needed rested weekends, a week's recovery after a one-hour shoot, and had ongoing pain and brain fog.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- weed (smoked) · Helped
When I'm in a crash or heading towards one, a joint takes away a lot of the pain, lifts my mood and sends me to sleep
In context ↗ - pacing · Helped
I learned about pacing and the 'boom/bust' and everything clicked into place.
In context ↗ - vegan diet · Helped a lot
I went vegan in January and have felt a huge amount better than last year.
In context ↗ - CBD vape juice · Helped
I vape CBD :) Very calming and pain reducing within about 10 mins :)
In context ↗ - PT sessions · Not said
I have started PT sessions - 1 hour every 2 weeks
In context ↗ - yoga classes · Not said
have been to a few yoga classes
In context ↗ - flu shot · Not said
First time getting it and was free - didn't have any side effects!
In context ↗ - consistent sleep schedule with blackout blind and ear plugs · Helped
A tip that has helped me this year is going to sleep and waking up at the same time everyday
In context ↗
Approaches: Diet
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 | After |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ME/CFS symptoms began in her final year at universityI often had flu and felt exhausted which led to depression which led to further exhaustionIn context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2016 | moved home, worked, missed work almost every weekI missed work basically every week and my social life was non existent.In context ↗ | Mild | |
| 2018-01 | went vegan and crashes became rareI went vegan in January and have felt a huge amount better than last year.In context ↗ | Mild | Vegan diet |
| 2018-04 | biggest crash after weeks of socialising and new hobbiesBeing confident in my energy has led to the biggest crash I've had for about 9 months.In context ↗ | Severe | |
| 2019-02 | working full time but still limitedafter a one hour shoot I have to rest for a week!In context ↗ | Mild |
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
Being confident in my energy has led to the biggest crash I've had for about 9 months.
In context ↗ - Brain fog
started CBD last week which seems to be working well with sleep and brain fog!
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
It does help a bit but I would pay anything to wake up feeling really refreshed!
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
muscle ans joint pain I get in the evenings
In context ↗ - Headaches & migraine
My head is banging and it's taken me 10 attempts to finish this.
In context ↗ - Flu-like symptoms
Sore throat starts first followed by a very stiff neck
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
I switch between hot and cold every 10 minutes
In context ↗ - Gut problems
basically no bloating, I have more regular poos
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
what I know realise was depression and exhaustion
In context ↗
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