ME/CFS
Mild → no benefit
ME/CFS for at least nine years, walking only 20 minutes a day, no improvement
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill for
- Not stated
- Last post
- Aug 2024
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I walk 20 minutes a day. No weights. I swim for 20 minutes 2 times a month. If i could swim every day I woud crash
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I walk 20 minutes a day. No weights. I swim for 20 minutes 2 times a month. If i could swim every day I woud crash
In context ↗ - Now: No benefit
I have been taking gabapentin for 2 weeks and I feel really out of it. Like I can't concentrate.
In context ↗
Read from 34 of their posts and comments; links to the 24 this page draws on
Summary
Mesa 12658 had ME/CFS for at least nine years, able to walk only 20 minutes a day and swim twice a month, with crashes after exertion. Amitriptyline and a mindfulness course did not help, and Lexapro helped their anxiety but numbed their feelings and made them less alert. Piracetam gave about 30 minutes of clarity, while CoQ10 and D-ribose gave only short-lived relief, or none at all. Fasting, green tea, sunshine and a month of remission while their father was dying were brief lifts. Gabapentin in 2024 left them out of it and unable to concentrate.
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What they tried
Also tried
Meditation· Helpedpiracetam· Helped · wore offfasting for a 8 or more hours· Helpedhot and dry weather· HelpedLexapro, generic, ecitalopram· Helpedthe supplement he recommended· Helped · wore offD-ribose· Helped · wore offBed rest· HelpedGreen tea· HelpedSunshine· HelpedCoQ10· Helped · wore offNon alcoholic beer· Helpedmindfulness course· No changeamitryptiline· Worsegabapentin· Worseselfcompassion exercise· Not saidwalk 20 minutes a day· Not said
Their words about each treatment
- amitryptiline · Worse
The first thing they put me on was amitryptiline. I felt tired and out of it.
In context ↗ - Meditation · Helped
Meditation has helped me.
In context ↗ - selfcompassion exercise · Not said
I did the selfcompassion exercise. Woh… Boy do I have issues with this.
In context ↗ - piracetam · Helped
I tried piracetam. I felt like a genious for about 30 minutes.
In context ↗ - mindfulness course · No change
I took a mindfulness course thinking it would help with my deep sadness about chronic illness. It did not.
In context ↗ - fasting for a 8 or more hours · Helped
I feel better, more energy when I fast for a 8 or more hours.
In context ↗ - hot and dry weather · Helped
I attribute feeling better to the weather.
In context ↗ - Lexapro, generic, ecitalopram · Helped
I recommend it for anxiety but it made me less mentally alert. Numbed my feelings.
In context ↗ - the supplement he recommended · Helped
I remember feeling well for 20. Minutes after taking it. I took it for two weeks.
In context ↗ - D-ribose · Helped
It had an immediate effect on me, which lasted 20 minutes.
In context ↗ - Bed rest · Helped
Bed rest. Meditation. Sleeping.
In context ↗ - Green tea · Helped
I drink green tea which helps a little.
In context ↗ - Sunshine · Helped
Green tea. D-ribose. Sunshine.
In context ↗ - CoQ10 · Helped
Immediately. Don't know if it is placebo. Effect does not last. 2 hours?
In context ↗ - walk 20 minutes a day · Not said
I walk 20 minutes a day. No weights. I swim for 20 minutes 2 times a month.
In context ↗ - Non alcoholic beer · Helped
Non alcoholic beer gives me energy because it has B vitamins.
In context ↗ - gabapentin · Worse
I have been taking gabapentin for 2 weeks and I feel really out of it. Like I can't concentrate.
In context ↗
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. 4 steps say too little to place on the scale and are only in the table. Dates are when they posted. What the levels mean.
Show as a table
| When | What happened | Where they were |
|---|---|---|
| — | ME/CFS of unstated onset and triggeryou have to learn to live with extreme fatigueIn context ↗ | Not stated |
| October 2015 | a month of remission while caring for their dying fatherI got a month when my father was dying.In context ↗ | Not stated |
| May 2017 | felt better, put down to hot, dry weatherI have been feeling better lately. I'm happy!In context ↗ | Not stated |
| September 2018 | cold, then recoveringRecovering from a cold.In context ↗ | Not stated |
| August 2019 | achy and tired after dinner with wine and fried foodNow i feel achy and tired.In context ↗ | Mild |
| August 2024 | on gabapentin, feeling out of it and unable to concentrateI feel really out of it. Like I can't concentrate.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)“The first thing they put me on was amitryptiline. I felt tired and out of it.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Amitriptyline (Elavil), Escitalopram (Lexapro)“I took antidepressants and they sapped my energy.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)“I recommend it for anxiety but it made me less mentally alert. Numbed my feelings.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)“I have been taking gabapentin for 2 weeks and I feel really out of it. Like I can't concentrate.” In context ↗ Side effects
Symptoms mentioned
Anxiety & low moodBrain fogPain & fibromyalgiaPost-exertional malaiseSleep problemsTemperature regulation
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
If i could swim every day I woud crash
In context ↗ - Brain fog
I feel really out of it. Like I can't concentrate.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I want to die sometimes, it is very hard
In context ↗ - Pain & fibromyalgia
Now I expect to be in pain and tortured every day.
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
Don't feel awake all morning and even early evening.
In context ↗ - Temperature regulation
i have become much more tolerant to cold temperatures after 5 years of intolerance.
In context ↗