CFS for over four years, much better with venlafaxine
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Not stated
- Ill before improving or writing
- 4 years
- Last post
- Mar 2021
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
My CFS started after 2 years of extreme chronic anxiety
In context ↗ - Now: Much better
I was able to significantly increase my activity levels in the last month ... Life is still pretty restricted, but it’s an amazing improvement.
In context ↗ - Began after: stress or burnout
My CFS started after 2 years of extreme chronic anxiety
In context ↗
Read from 12 of their posts and comments; links to the 8 this page draws on
Summary
Ocean 87788 had CFS for over four years, which they attributed to two years of extreme chronic anxiety. In early 2020 they started venlafaxine (Effexor), building from 75 mg to 150 mg, and within months could walk daily, do volleyball or hiking weekly and work in the family business, though life stayed restricted. Higher doses disrupted their sleep and caused worsening that forced periodic dose reductions.
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What they tried
What they credit
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- hot bath · Helped
It’s one of the few things that reliably help me.
In context ↗ - Venlafaxine (Effexor) · Helped a lot
my condition drastically improved within few weeks. I was euphoric
In context ↗ - Amitriptilyne · No change
I tried Amitriptilyne a couple of years ago, but didn’t notice improvement.
In context ↗ - Citalopram or some other SSRI · Worse
no benefits as well, only side effects
In context ↗ - cold shower · Helped
Sometimes a cold shower helps me, but I haven’t tried it consistently unlike hot bath
In context ↗ - fasting · Helped
I respond well to such forms of "positive stress" like contrast shower and fasting.
In context ↗ - intentional sleep deprivation · Not said
I tried but I didn't like it :D
In context ↗ - whole food plant-based diet · Helped
I've been on a whole food plant-based diet for 3 years. Pooping's never been so easy.
In context ↗ - facing my fears and pushing through symptoms · Helped
I also seem to benefit from facing my fears (including the fear of a crash) and living daringly.
In context ↗
Approaches: SNRIs · Alternative therapies · Diet · Exercise and activity
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ~2016 | CFS began after two years of extreme chronic anxietyMy CFS started after 2 years of extreme chronic anxietyIn context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2020-06-19 | best four months in over four years; walking daily, volleyball or hiking weekly, working in the family businessIt all started with Venlafaxine (Effexor) ... I was able to significantly increase my activity levels in the last monthIn context ↗ | Mild |
| 2020-06-20 | 150 mg venlafaxine disrupted sleep and they felt worse again; cut back to 75 mgin 1 or 2 weeks it began to mess with my sleep big time, then I felt worse again. I had to cut back to 75 mg.In context ↗ | Moderate |
| 2020-11-28 | venlafaxine builds up over time and worsens their condition, so they periodically reduce the doseit causes worsening of my condition after some time due to building up in my system and I have to temporally reduce the dose.In context ↗ | Mild |
Adverse events
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“I had to get used to 75 mg prior to that to avoid severe side effects.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“But in 1 or 2 weeks it began to mess with my sleep big time, then I felt worse again. I had to cut back to 75 mg.” In context ↗ Insomnia from treatment
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“I've noticed that it causes worsening of my condition after some time due to building up in my system and I have to temporally reduce the dose.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Anxiety & low mood
My CFS started after 2 years of extreme chronic anxiety
In context ↗ - Sleep problems
it began to mess with my sleep big time
In context ↗
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