ME/CFS
Mild → no benefitIll for 8.5 years
Mild ME/CFS since 2016 while working and studying, tried pacing and CBT
- Condition
- ME/CFS
- At worst
- Mild (working or studying, with limits)
- Ill for
- 8.5 years
- Last post
- Apr 2025
In their words
- Condition: ME/CFS
I'm Aussie, 22 and have had CFS for 4 years.
In context ↗ - At worst: Mild
I'm mild. Nowhere near my previous functioning, but I have managed 3 jobs while studying fulltime
In context ↗ - Now: No benefit
I'm usually mild/moderate but been more towards moderate this year because life has been ROUGH.
In context ↗ - Began after: another virus
My CFS is post-viral but I had quite a few successive traumatic events at the end of my initial viral infection.
Read from 13 of their posts and comments; links to the 9 this page draws on
Summary
Australian psychology student who developed CFS around 2016, aged 18, after a viral infection during a year of traumatic events. They stayed mild, working and studying, at one point three jobs while studying full time, and credits pacing and CBT with helping them adjust. They also have POTS, and in 2025 said rough life events had pushed them toward moderate, with a severe POTS flare after day surgery.
Ask Miruvor AI
What they tried
Also tried
Their words about each treatment
- CBT · Helped
It helped me to cope with living with CFS, but in now way did it change any of my symptoms.
In context ↗ - antidepressants (quick release, then slow release, Venlafaxine) · Helped
I tried 7 different antidepressants before finding that Venlafaxine works best for me (only a low dosage of 37.5mg).
In context ↗ - the pill (Diane), Yasmin · Worse
I had to try Yasmin for a bit and it absolutely ruined me
In context ↗ - pacing / learning my limits · Helped
I think I've absolutely nailed my pacing techniques and made it work for me in the years since my diagnosis.
In context ↗ - day surgery for nasal passages and ears under general anaesthesia · Worse
POTS was actually my biggest issue post-op, and I had a very severe flare up.
In context ↗
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 (age 18) | CFS began after a viral infection during a year of traumatic eventsMy CFS is post-viral ... at the end of my initial viral infectionIn context ↗ | |
| 2022-05-25 | settled at mild, working three jobs while studying full time using pacingI'm mild. Nowhere near my previous functioning, but I have managed 3 jobs while studying fulltimeIn context ↗ | Pacing and the energy envelope |
| 2025-04-17 | life events pushed them towards moderate; severe POTS flare after nasal and ear day surgeryI'm usually mild/moderate but been more towards moderate this year because life has been ROUGH. I also have POTS too.In context ↗ |
Adverse events
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“I went from quick release antidepressants (which gave me dizziness, nausea and headaches) to slow release which is making a huge difference.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)“Other ones gave me awful side effects such as dizziness, hallucinations, insanely increased appetite, etc.” In context ↗ Side effects
- Combined birth control (pill, patch or ring)“I had to try Yasmin for a bit and it absolutely ruined me” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
- Sinus, jaw and tonsil surgery“POTS was actually my biggest issue post-op, and I had a very severe flare up.” In context ↗ Made symptoms worse
Symptoms mentioned
Their words about their symptoms
- Post-exertional malaise
there were activities I definitely wanted to do but just couldn't due to the PEM and energy levels
In context ↗ - POTS & dysautonomia
I also have POTS too.
In context ↗ - Anxiety & low mood
I have been in therapy for anxiety/depression/trauma for almost 10 years
In context ↗