ME/CFS, somewhat better with methylphenidate and heart-rate pacing
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Not stated
- Ill before improving or writing
- Not stated
- Last post
- Oct 2018
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
That started me on another path that led me to a CFS/ADD(I) diagnosis.
In context ↗ - Now: Somewhat better
it helps me get by
In context ↗ - Began after: stress or burnout
it may have even been the catalyst for CFS
In context ↗
Read from 4 of their posts and comments; links to the 4 this page draws on
Summary
Acorn 49006 described having CFS. Antidepressants made them worse; one with norepinephrine reuptake inhibition fixed nothing but made things different and led to a CFS/ADD(I) diagnosis. A B12 injection from their CFS specialist brought no change. Methylphenidate helped them get by, though with tolerance issues, and they paced using a Fitbit heart rate monitor within a conservative estimate, which they found positive.
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What they tried
What they credit
Their words about each treatment
- antidepressants · Worse
I've found antidepressants make it worse. I lucked onto one with norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, which didn't fix anything, but made things different.
In context ↗ - B12 · No change
B12 was the first intervention my cfs specialist prescribed. ... No change in me, but I would still recommend giving it a go.
In context ↗ - coffee · Helped
It didn't work, but helped, before I was better medicated. Would have between 10 and 15 a day, now 1 to 3.
In context ↗ - methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) · Helped
I'm on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) and it absolutely helps. ... it helps me get by.
In context ↗ - Fitbit heart rate monitor · Helped
I've been using a Fitbit heart rate monitor for the last 6 months. My resting HR is 63 bpm, when upright I range from 72 - 86, and when active, up to 115.
In context ↗ - working within a conservative heart rate estimate · Helped
My practice has been to, as you suggested, work within my conservative estimate; this has been a positive methods in my experience.
In context ↗
Approaches: Pacing · Stimulants
Their path
They say too little about how ill they were at each step to draw it on the severity scale, so the steps are listed as they describe them. Dates are when they posted.
| When | What happened | After |
|---|---|---|
| — | CFS, possibly after ADHD burnoutit may have even been the catalyst for CFSIn context ↗ | |
| 2018 | Ritalin helps them get byI'm on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) and it absolutely helps.In context ↗ | Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) |
| 2018-10-25 | pacing with a Fitbit heart rate monitorthis has been a positive methods in my experienceIn context ↗ | Pacing and the energy envelope |
Adverse events
- Antidepressants (unspecified)“I've found antidepressants make it worse.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
it triggers post-exertional malaise and activates my sympathetic nervous system response
In context ↗
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