Forms Of Oi In Me/cfs
Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is defined by a sustained BP reduction of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic during the first 3 min after assuming an upright posture . This problem is rarely seen in children except at times of febrile illness, acute dehydration, hemorrhage, adrenal insufficiency, excessive histamine release, or as a response to certain medications.
A more common pediatric variant, termed initial orthostatic hypotension , is characterized by a transient drop in BP immediately after standing, but resolving within 60 s. Its recognition requires a continuous beat-to-beat BP measurement device. The diagnosis is missed by standard, automated sphygmomanometer measurements . Although this is not usually a condition that requires clinical treatment, chronic orthostatic symptoms in those with IOH have been reported , suggesting that they can develop other orthostatic abnormalities on more prolonged monitoring.
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Postural tachycardia syndrome is increasingly being recognized as the most common form of OI in pediatric ME/CFS. As is the case for pediatric ME/CFS, postural tachycardia syndrome is more common in females than males, is more common after the onset of puberty, and often follows an apparent infectious illness .
Neurally Mediated Hypotension
Presentation Course Of The Illness Prognosis
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome can begin suddenly, gradually, or with an abrupt increase in the intensity and frequency of milder chronic symptoms. There can be a history of repeated minor relapsing and remitting prodromal illnesses over the months or years preceding the onset. An acute onset of fever and viral-like symptoms is common, and the onset also can be marked by severe orthostatic symptoms. ME/CFS can follow a known illness such as infectious mononucleosis . A gradual onset is more common in younger children and can occur over months or years.
While all patients experience a substantial loss of physical and cognitive functioning, there is a wide spectrum of severity. Mildly affected young people might be able to attend school full-time or part-time, but they might have to limit sport and after-school activities and have frequent school absences. ME/CFS has been found to be the most common cause of long-term absence from school . More severely affected young people can be wheelchair dependent, housebound, or bedbound. The more impaired might even have difficulty participating in home tutoring sessions. In young persons with ME/CFS, overall self-reported quality of life is often lower than in other illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, and cystic fibrosis .
The Wrong Way To Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Now you know the conventional medical therapies that are best suited to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. A lot of them dont have great research to support their use. So, be sure to have an in-depth discussion with your doctor. Discuss whether the potential side effects of the medication are worth it for the potential benefits.
There are other treatments that are often prescribed in conventional medical settings that are known to not be effective. And they may even have dangerous side effects. Below, I detail the conventional treatments of chronic fatigue that need to be avoided. These include:
- Graded exercise therapy
- Sleeping pills
Graded exercise therapy
Graded exercise therapy or GET as its commonly referred to is an exercise plan specifically for those with chronic fatigue syndrome. Most patients with CFS report something known a post-exertional malaise this is a feeling of exhaustion or tiredness following exercise/activity. GET was developed in hopes to improve CFS patients resilience to exercise programs.
Graded exercise therapy remains a common conventional treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Even though patients typically remark that GET makes their symptoms worse. Thankfully, new research confirmed what CFS sufferers had been saying all along GET does not work. And it may actually make your fatigue worse.
Do not include GET in your chronic fatigue treatment. Instead, follow the recommendations I lay out for exercising with fatigue here, here, and here.
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How I Decreased Fatigue And Restored My Energy Levels After Antidepressants
At the time, I didnt have a specific plan of action in place to recover from the antidepressant-induced fatigue that I experienced. In fact, I didnt even fathom the possibility that I would ever overcome it I assumed that I was fated to become a lifelong sloth. My energy was so low that I was convinced I had a brain tumor an MRI eventually ruled this out. In hindsight, there are some specific things I couldve done that helped me overcome my fatigue.
Can Stimulants Really Be A Fix For Cfs
Some doctors prescribe stimulants, like Adderall, Vyvanse, and Ritalin all commonly used to manage symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to people with CFS who dont respond to other treatments or who experience symptoms of both CFS and ADHD.
But how well do these actually work? Does the research around them back up my personal use of a stimulant to manage CFS?
A 2014 study, expanding on a 2006 trial, suggests Ritalin may help to relieve fatigue and improve cognitive function for people with CFS.
A small, older suggests Dexedrine, another stimulant prescribed for ADHD, might have similar effects for people with CFS.
Sounds like an easy fix, right? Not necessarily.
Before considering stimulants for chronic fatigue, think about the nature of your symptoms. If you experience insomnia or sleeplessness, for example, stimulants might only serve to make things worse .
Even for people with CFS who dont experience sleep disorders, ADHD meds may feel like the answer in the early hours. But theyll catch up with you.
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Relationship Between The School The Student The Family And The Treating Physician
During regular appointments with the young patient, the physician should ask how school is going. The clinician needs to be sensitive to the relationship between the young person, her/his parents, and the school. Many families have followed a long and circuitous route to a diagnosis and the young patient can be months or years behind in school by the time a diagnosis is reached. The young patient and parents often perceive dealing with the school to be very stressful, especially so when they face disbelief about their invisible illness from teachers, other parents, and the young patients classmates . Compounding these stresses, parents see that their childs academic performance has deteriorated and they might fear that she/he will not receive an education that eventually allows for employment and independent living. Many parents need to place their own lives and/or careers on hold in order to stay at home and take care of the young person. If both parents need to work, that can be problematic for the young patient at home alone.
Signs Of Stimulants Abuse
- Numerous empty prescription containers for the drug despite not having a prescription for it
- Trying to borrow or buy Adderall from someone who has a prescription
- Trying to get different physicians to write prescriptions for Adderall for them
- Displaying alternating periods of increased energy, talkativeness, and decreased need for sleep with periods of lethargy, apathy, and depression
- Suspiciousness, paranoia, and hallucinations
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Adderall Abuse And Fibromyalgia
People who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia will often be prescribed numerous medications, including prescription pain medications and stimulants, to increase their energy.
Adderall may be used to address issues with attention and fatigue in people with fibromyalgia. This could lead to potential misuse of the drug.
Alternative Or Complementary Medicine
Since there is no standard treatment for CFS/ME, people often consider alternatives to traditional medicine or use non-traditional treatments to complement their other medications. Commonly used alternative and complementary treatments include:
- Mind-body treatments, like qigong, tai chi, and meditation
- Massage
- Trigger point therapy, called myofascial release
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic treatments
Complementary therapies have received mixed results when scientifically studied. Before beginning an alternative or complementary treatment, talk with your doctor to ensure that you arent trying something potentially dangerous.
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Summary Of The Conventional Treatment Plan For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Lets assume the symptoms of your chronic fatigue include fatigue, sleep issues, pain, and depression/anxiety. With this symptom cluster, you may see four different doctors. A rheumatologist for your pain. A psychiatrist for your depression/anxiety. A sleep specialist for your insomnia. And your family physician. Each doctor will likely prescribe a different medication designed to address one of your symptoms. In this example, you may end up with prescription pain killers, sleeping pills, and an antidepressant.
There is no research done on either the long-term effects of taking those medications. Or, how those medications may interact with each other. And my greatest frustration is that there is no over-arching treatment plan. The treatment is to take these medications forever. This is not how you should treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
Note: this is the first article in a series. Once youre finished this article, be sure to check out part II The best ways to treat chronic fatigue through an alternative or holistic medical framework.
Now, I want to hear from you!
What conventional therapies increased your energy? Leave your answers in the comments section below!
Build Peace And Relax
CFS can be debilitating both physically and mentally. Suffering from persistent exhaustion, reduced brain cognition, chronic muscle and joint pain, stress, and even guilt takes a toll on the body, and psyche.
Long-term stress control and relaxation must be a vital portion of any protocol used to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome. While seemingly impossible, its imperative that sufferers of CFS do their best to effectively manage stress, and rest.
The Power of Rest
Rest means more than just sleep. Dedicate one day per week when you dont have any responsibilities or commitments. Truly commit to a full day of rest. This gives your body and mind a much-needed respite helping to fight stress, anxiety and exhaustion. Its also important during the week, if you are having a particularly difficult day, to not overtax yourself.
While regular exercise supports wellness and helps to diminish stress, individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome need to exercise at a controlled intensity. High-intensity workouts can leave you drained for several days.
Exercise Therapy
Exercise therapy has been shown to help with fatigue, mental clarity and depression in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. According to a study released in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation, individuals with CFS were recommended to perform aerobic activities, at the clinic twice per month, in combination with at-home exercises for roughly 5-15 minutes in duration, five days per week.
Sleep
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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Fact Sheet For Schools
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by the bodys inability to produce sufficient energy for the normal range of human activity and the patients energy reserves are substantially reduced. The main symptoms include:
Severe, overwhelming fatigue with loss of mental and/or physical stamina and a substantial reduction in ability to take part in personal, educational and/or social activities.
The cardinal symptom of worsening of symptoms and malaise following minimal physical or mental exertion which can persist for hours, days, or weeks and is not relieved by rest
Cognitive problems , unrefreshing or disturbed sleep and a variety of painful conditions . Cognitive problems may worsen with prolonged upright posture.
There is no medical test for the illness. The diagnosis is made from the characteristic pattern of symptoms some or all of the above symptoms must be present every day for at least 6 months, symptoms must be moderate or severe, and other fatiguing illnesses must be ruled out by history, physical exam, and medical testing
Additional symptoms are often present and include:
Orthostatic intolerance, which is the development of symptoms due to prolonged upright posture that result in lightheadedness , increased fatigue, cognitive worsening, headaches, and/or nausea.
Hypersensitivities to light, noise, touch, odors, and/or medications.
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and/or loss of appetite.
Curriculum
Learn More About Fatigue And Addiction At Springfield Wellness Center
Fortunately, there are ways to treat chronic fatigue that wont expose you to risks for stimulant addiction. The most effective treatment approaches are holistic, which means that they address multiple aspects of your health and well-being at the same time.
A common recommendation is to make sure that you eat well. You may also need help managing your sleep habits. In addition, you may benefit from things such as exercise, counseling, and non-stimulant medication.
At Springfield Wellness Center, we use a combination of methods to treat CFS. That treatment includes the most widely recommended forms of supportive care. It also includes a unique method known as brain restoration or BR using NAD+ treatments. With the help of our customized options, we make it possible to manage the effects of CFS successfully.
We also offer a customized detox program for people currently addicted to stimulants. This program serves as an essential first step on the path of addiction recovery. Need more information on fatigue and addiction? Contact us today through our online form or phone our specialists at .
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Criteria For Substance Abuse Disorder
- The repeated non-medicinal use of the drug that leads to significant impairment in functioning and/or results in significant distress.
- Problems controlling the use of the stimulant that can be observed in several different contexts.
- Continued use of the stimulant even though it is causing problems with personal relationships, psychological health, or physical health.
- Failing to complete important obligations or giving up important activities in favor of stimulant use.
- The development of tolerance to the stimulant.
- Developing physical dependence on the stimulant.
Although you are not able to formally diagnose a stimulant use disorder in anyone unless you are licensed clinician, you may notice some of these signs in someone abusing Adderall. If you do, discuss the issue with them and try to get them to consult with a mental health professional.
Better Thinking For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Fibromyalgia: The Nootropics The Smart Drugs
Nootropics , also referred to as smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers, are drugs, supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods that purportedly improve mental functions such as cognition,memory, intelligence, motivation, attention, and concentration. Wikipedia
Coined in 1972 by the Romanian Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, the word nootropic is derived from the Greek words nous, or mind, and trepein meaning to bend/turn. Nootropics are thought to function in one of three ways:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient/expert and author Maija Haavista calls nootropics the best drugs/supplements that ME/CFS patients often miss out on. Nootropics, she reports tend to be safe and well tolerated.
Nootropics are potentially a highly useful class of medication in the treatment of CFS/ME and fibromyalgia, but they tend to be poorly known to doctors in the United States, as they are mostly used in Europe to treat conditions like Alzheimers disease, stroke and ADHD. Maija Haavisto The Broken Marionette CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia Treatments
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The Columbia University Study
One breakthrough CFS study appeared in the Feb. 27, 2015 issue of Science Advances. The report indicated chronic fatigue syndrome may be the result of a malfunctioning immune system. According to the research, the immune systems of chronic fatigue syndrome patients appear to be unable to control the response to an infection that has passed.
Instead, according to Dr. Mady Hornig, lead author of the study, the immune system produces large amounts of cytokins. Cytokins are chemical messengers that coordinate the response of the immune systems cell types. Hornig is the director of Translational Research at the Jerome L. and Dawn Greene Infectious Disease Laboratory at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health in New York City.
The immune system of CFS patients is no longer resilient and able to bounce back after this cytokine surge, wrote Hornig, We need the system to be regulated, so it shuts off after the disease is gone, and that isnt happening here.
Because of the research, physicians now can look for increased levels of cytokins in the blood of patients who might have chronic fatigue syndrome, potentially aiding in their diagnosis, Hornig said. As a result, she added, we may be able to reduce the time it takes to get a diagnosis and reduce the time it takes to get treatment.
Can You Have Adhd And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Abstract. Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may share common features with fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome .
Do stimulants work for chronic fatigue syndrome?
Stimulants. Some people are prescribed stimulants, like the ones used to treat ADHD. These medicines help ease fatigue and problems with memory and concentration.
Is Ritalin good for CFS?
Methylphenidate at a dose of 2 × 10 mg/day is significantly better than placebo in relieving fatigue and concentration disturbances in a minority of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.
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Why A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis Stemming From Antidepressants Can Be Problematic
Assuming the antidepressant you were taking was the root cause of your chronic fatigue, there are some problems with getting formally diagnosed. In most cases a formal diagnosis is viewed as requiring lifelong treatment medical professionals will always view you as suffering from a chronic condition on top of your depression.
The professionals often fail to realize that the antidepressant medications were the root cause of the newly developed fatigue, but instead they assume its just another new development. Though the fatigue is real, we know it stemmed from the antidepressant. Its almost comparable to getting misdiagnosed with Bipolar 2 disorder after going through an array of psychotropics its a temporary phase resulting from using medications.
Sleep Rest And Relaxation
You may have sleep problems that make your ME/CFS symptoms worse. For example, you may:
- have problems getting to sleep
- have unrefreshing or restless sleep
- need an excessive amount of sleep
- sleep during the day and be awake at night
You should be given advice about how to establish a normal sleeping pattern. Having too much sleep does not usually improve the symptoms of ME/CFS, and sleeping during the day can stop you sleeping at night.
You should change your sleep pattern gradually, and your doctor should review how it’s going regularly. If your sleep does not improve after making changes, you may have an underlying sleep problem that will need to be addressed.
It’s likely you’ll need to rest during the day, and your doctor should advise you about the best way to do this. For example, they may suggest limiting each rest period to 30 minutes and teach you relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises.
If you have severe ME/CFS and need to spend much of your time in bed, it can cause problems, including pressure sores and blood clots. These problems, and how to avoid them, should be explained to you and your carers.
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