TripleG (Papillion, NE) on 05/04/2025
Pen (VIC) on 10/06/2023
Daviola (Boston, MA) on 05/22/2022
1. I try to support my body’s HEALING as much as possible. I do this with pacing/rest, by improving my sleep, getting as good nutrition as possible, reducing stress. With regards to my sleep, I switch off the electricity to my bedroom at night *at the fuse box* to reduce appliance hum and also turn wifi off. I find I get much better sleep this way! I also use mute rings and a special mouth guard designed to keep my airways open at night. I also don’t watch TV within 1-2 hours of bedtime, and I get to sleep much earlier now and it’s more restorative.
2. I try to be very mindful of my ENERGY ENVELOPE and always remain within it. This means I minimize standing, I pace my chores and activities (even socializing, which I can find tiring). I can do a bit of exercise, but I tolerate weight-bearing exercises better than aerobic exercise.
3. I have worked to support my LIVER HEALTH. This means I cut way back on alcohol. I frequently eat dragon fruit, which has liver-supporting properties, and I take milk thistle regularly. I also drink dandelion tea occasionally. And I minimize prescription medications and am mindful of the amount of supplements I take.
4. I avoid TOXINS as much as possible. This means I buy as high-quality food as I can afford, especially for foods that tend to be ‘dirtier’ or more moldy (for example, nuts and “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables, which I try to get organic). I avoid fluoride (to the point of avoiding fluoridated toothpastes and not allowing my dentist to put a fluoride treatment on my teeth, etc.). I have tested the water where I live and luckily it is pretty clean, but otherwise I would be looking into bottled water. I use a sauna whenever possible to aid detoxification via sweat. I avoid walking in high vehicular-traffic areas to avoid pollution. And, VERY, VERY, VERY important, I avoid mold in the environment at all costs!!! That means, keeping your house clean, dry, and well-maintained as possible and looking for hidden sources of mold. In my opinion, if you are having breathing problems, you should consider that the source *could* be mold in your environment.
5. I have focused on GUT HEALTH AND NUTRITION. At the advice of a naturopath, I have treated for both leaky gut and candida. Supplements like marshmallow and garlic oil have helped, as well as herbal drops used for parasitic infections (some of which have anti-candida properties). (For a long time I avoided a long list of foods that were causing sensitivities, but nowadays I tolerate most foods much better.) To enhance vitamin absorption, I do juicing now and again. I also eat a food product, Acai Energy, which contains guarana and never fails to give me an energy boost when I need it.
6. I have been tested for basic VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES and have been told to supplement with B12 (I use a methylated version), iron, and D.
7. I keep a SYMPTOM DIARY to determine if there are patterns I can identify on my good days and my bad days (for example, foods I eat, supplements I’ve taken, etc.)
8. I stay aware of the MIND-BODY CONNECTION. I try not to get *too* mired in negativity. I work on things like vision boards to inspire my hope and healing. And I say health affirmations like “my body is wise and is healing itself, I get better every day, ” etc. And rather than say things (out loud or to myself) like, “I’m so sick” or “I’m not better” I try to say “I’m not better YET, ” or “I’ve been sick but hopefully not for much longer, ” etc. I do believe our language matters.
9. I do believe there can be a link between chronic fatigue and CERVICAL INSTABILITY. I did have a neck injury around the time I developed CFS. I avoid many movements and exercises that cause my migraines to flare up and I see an osteopath who has helped treat the migraines that I was having daily for years. (If you aren’t familiar with osteopaths, they are wonderful! )
There has been no magic bullet for me thus far. However, I have improved slowly. The body is a miraculous thing, and with the right support, I hope to be able to heal. So, my advice is, look at the air you breathe, the food you drink, the mold in your environment, the nutrients in your food (and wehther or not you are aborbing them), the ways you can add to detoxification, etc. ALL of these things will relieve the burden on your body, allowing it greater ability to heal. I wish that everyone had access to all of the funds and support that they need to pursue all of these avenues, but we all just have to do the best we can. Knowledge is power and there is a lot of great information on the internet. All the best to you xx
Jackie (Midwest) on 04/22/2020
I got some evening primrose oil 1000mg./ capsule last evening. Took 3 when I got home Slept very well last night felt more rested this morning took 3 capsules again this morning. It’s really helped. Directions are to take 1 three times a day but I really need a push to get going. I am just physically and mentally drained and my thinking is foggy. So glad this helped. I dont know if it’s the complete answer but it has definitely helped. I ordered some hypothalamus extract from amazon. Will try that too. Just wanted to relay my experience with evening primrose oil for this horrible fatigue.
Brass Player (Sw Usa) on 01/12/2017
Amie_says (Southern Us) on 03/30/2016
Worked Temporarily
I get plenty of sleep, work at home, no heavy physical activity, but I do get out and walk or garden every day, and if the weather is bad, I'll do some aerobics inside.
I eat fairly decently, depending on how much I have to spend on food during the month. I don't eat a lot of meat, so try to get enough protein from other sources (dairy, nuts, brown rice).
These are the supplements I'm taking. Please tell me if you see anything wrong that I should take out of add. I know this is a lot, but I have to try to work as much as possible, and I just kept adding things that were supposed to help. For awhile, this worked, but now it seems to be harming me more than hurting me.
I thought one thing might be that I have a parasite, strongyloides, and some of these are also anti-parasitic, so maybe some of my problem is constant die-off, but if I stop taking them, the worms take over again and I get sicker.
Multi-Vit-Min tablet
Biotin 5000 mcg
Dopa Mucuna 15% L-Dopa
Potassium Gluconate 595 MG
C 1000mg
Hawthorne Berries 565 mg 2 x day
D3 3000 iu/day
CLA 1500 mg 2 x day
B-Complex & B-12
CoQ10 50 mg 2-4/day
MSM 500 mg 2 x day
Red Yeast Rice 600 mg
Iron Glycinate 28 mg take 1 every 3rd day since multi has iron in it too
Cal-Mag-Zinc (chelated) 3/day
Triple Omega (flaxseed, fish, chia oils) 3 x day
Serrapeptase 2-4/day
L-Tyrosine 1-3/day
Lugol's 5% - 1/2 drop/day (I'm very sensitive, so I'm working up to higher dosage)
Selenium 200 mcg 1 every other day (since I'm on such a low dose of iodine)
Diatomaceous Earth - 1 tablespoon/day
Borax 1/4 tsp./day dissolved in 1 liter of water and drunk throughout the day.
Gracie (Pdx) on 10/28/2015
Lorica (Indiana, US) on 03/13/2015
Molineux (Jacksonville, Florida) on 02/09/2015
Dutchie (Toronto/Amsterdam) on 08/28/2014
Let me just say I’m a 38 yr old male, I been suffering from CFIDS for almost 15 yrs now. This is a very frustrating disease. You go through periods where you’ll feel well, then you’ll go out and play some sports, and the next day you are so exhausted you cannot get out of bed.
So how did I cure myself?? Well, it wasn't by going to doctors, although they were helpful here and there. But to cure yourself you most likely won't get it from a pharma script, at least that was the case with me. You need it from a natural source.
Every CFIDS is different, so I can’t guarantee this will work for everyone. If you have Lyme disease this may not work. But it might help some people who are going through the same thing I was.
The main reason why people suffer from CFIDS is because their hormonal system is out of whack. Hormone comes from the Greek term meaning “to spur on”. If your body isn't producing hormones at an optimum level, you will most likely have very little energy and feel tired all the time.
The master hormone gland in your body is the Hypothalamus gland. It controls the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid and all other sex hormone glands. Anyone who has CFIDS will tell you besides feeling tired all the time, they also probably don't feel like having sex very much.
So how do you fix your hypothalamus gland if it's not functioning properly??! Real simple answer. You take a hypothalamus glandular capsule or pill once or twice a day. There are only a handful companies who sell hypothalamus glands in North-America. They should come in strengths of 500 mg. You take 1 or 2 of these a day, and within hours you’ll start to feel your energy building up again.
To get the full benefit you need to take it for a few months. Then when your body has recovered you can gradually wean yourself off by cutting capsules in half, or even down to 1/3 a capsule.
You can also after a few weeks add adrenal glandulars, pituitary and/or thyroid glandulars to see if that makes a difference. I did notice my recovery went a bit quicker when I added the adrenal glandular.
All these glandulars are available on “google shopping” for a reasonable price.
One of the theories out there why so many women get CFIDS is because in some women the contraceptive pill can throw your hypothalamus out of whack if you take the pill for a long time. But that is just a theory so far, no scientific proof.
I got CFS after taking cortisone pills for a skin problem I had. It even says right on the official drugs.com website that cortisone can depress the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. In my case that axis never quite returned to normal, and the only way to fix it was by taking the glandular pills
See here: http://www.drugs.com/sfx/hydrocortisone-side-effects.html
Long-term effects have included hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal activity suppression, Cushingoid appearance, hirsutism or virilism, impotence, menstrual irregularities, peptic ulcer disease, cataracts and increased intraocular pressure/glaucoma, myopathy, osteoporosis, and vertebral compression fractures
15 years I suffered with this disease. I’m glad I finally kicked it to the curb.
Kay (Fl, US) on 05/25/2014
Yes CFS patients face ignorance and many hurdles, including problems getting awarded disability (because their applications do not provide specific enough details on how exactly CFS limits their ability to perform/manage day to day tasks, enough to render them unable to work); often because they are too sick/fogged to read/concentrate/complete paperwork on time; and/or they miss their SS deadlines and/or SS doctors appts; and/or fail to effectively communicate the debilitating EFFECTS of symptoms to SS officials/authorities and their own lawyers! Thus, many CFS sufferers NEED an attentive focused ADVOCATE (*who has read and understands the criteria for a disability award)! For those with limited finances or resources, FREE (or reduced cost/sliding scale) Advocates may be available thru Legal Aide Offices, and at/thru local and online CFS Support Groups! *Many good reference materials are available online. Patients simply must understand what information SS NEEDS before they apply for SS disability, or their application will be denied (for not providing sufficient evidence of disability)!
Thankfully, knowledge of CFS is growing rapidly; there are now many good doctors, nurses, PA's, chiropractors, therapists, even masseurs, etc. that are highly educated about CFS nowadays! One of the best (IMHO) is Joseph Teitlebalm MD, and his End Fatigue website (which hosts a free diagnostic test online, that provides personal results and recommendations for supplements, and/or RX's and/or alternative therapies, for various income levels; and even a report for your doctor too! ). His free newsletter is a great resource for CFS sufferers!
FYI: the CDC has (for several years now) publicized/advertised (pubs, radio/TV etc) that CFS is not a psych disorder; and they are sponsoring PSA's and educational materials so those hurdles are coming down as well!
Prioris (Fl) on 01/14/2014
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/chronic_fatigue_syndrome_questions.html#Question_4675
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/chronic_fatigue_syndrome_questions.html#Question_4676
Heather (San Diego, Ca) on 03/06/2013
I used it for 7 or 8 weeks with no change or improvement in any of the things it is supposed to change or improve, and concluded that people writing in with testimonials are probably just experiencing placebo effect after taking it a few days.
It did kill earwigs (paper eating bugs) in my home though, so that justified buying it.
Mel (Auckland, New Zealand) on 02/05/2013
Colloidal Silver for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Granny On The Go (Waco, Tx) on 12/30/2012
Stacy (Kernersville, Nc) on 10/03/2012
I have had chronic fatigue issues since I was in my late teen. I am now in my thirties, and virtually all aspects of my life revolve around being exhausted. I have problems sleeping, which contributes to the problem. When I was younger, I went to a doctor for this, but I was just put on a antidepressant, which was on no help--it just made me not care.
Since I have started the lithium, I have had more sustained energy and my mood has improved. I've taken a lot of stimulants to survive day to day over the years, and it's not like that. Rather, when I get off of work, I can actually clean or prepare food for my self instead of waiting to drag myself to bed (some days as early as 7:00pm). I've basically gone from forcing myself to go through the motions of life to being able to do daily activities normal people do.
I just wanted to share this because it has given me some hope for my future. As oppose to seeing my life as years if maintaining the facade of energy to those around me a crashing the minute I am alone, I might actually be able to do the things normal people do, like clean, prepare food, or spend an evening with friends without feeling that I am sacrificing "rest" time.
I think that the lithium dietary supplements are worth a try.
Daryl (Traralgon, Victoria, Australia) on 07/29/2012
Elizabeth (Newry, Outside Us / Canada) on 07/02/2012
Better But With Side Effects
Heather (San Diego) on 06/22/2012
I used the d-ribose for two months. I took it without creatine but with L-Carnitine, and all the relatively affordable recommended vitamins.
It did nothing for my long term chronic fatigue syndrome, which is now significantly improved using Ted's recommendations for CFS Lugol's iodine protocol for 6 months following a healthy, wholesome diet devoid of processed foods, and putting the bulk of my focus into getting quality sleep. As a 20 year insomniac, sleep issues are the main thing the book really helped me to see the importance of getting a handle on in order to recover. (Doing whatever it takes to get a reasonable amount of sleep - melatonin, sleeping pills, ear plugs, eye mask, herbal teas, avoiding caffeine, herbal sleep remedies, exercise and sunlight when possible, etc.)
But, everyone is different and we have to keep trying different things so I'm not saying not to try D-Ribose. My chronic fatigue was very serious. I was completely bedridden for years. Perhaps in the future, when I'm actually trying to hold down normal responsibilities, I'll try d-ribose again to see if it gives me what I need to get through the day energy-wise.
Heather (San Diego) on 06/21/2012
Things that did work: Coconut oil, eliminating fluoride, iodine, bed rest, Ted's borax advice (baking soda/sea salt/selenium/ACV or lemon/lime that go with the borax too).
One thing that worked that really surprised me was a liver detox. I used both NAC and milk thistle for two months, and then did one of those hokey sounding apple juice/grapefruit juice/olive oil liver and gallbladder fasts/ cleanses along with water enemas for two days. I felt so much better a few days or a week after the fast/cleanse that I felt like a different person so will do one again soon. It may be hokey but it worked. I'd done one about 12 years ago when I was in my early 30's (before I got sick/disabled) and didn't think it helped me then.
You can find references to all of these things on earthclinic.
Oh, and one more thing, before I got better, the thing that launched me into kidney and liver cleansing was severe, acute abdominal pain that an MRI showed out to be benign cysts on my kidneys and an infection above my kidneys. It wasn't kidney stones or gallstones but I felt the area needed some help. That happened about 4.5 months after starting the borax and Lugol's, and about 5 weeks after starting the NAC. I was feeling so much improved in my CFS at that time that I suspected that the general virus/infection/cause of my CFS came to a head in the form of this infection, which I have since healed from. After recovering from this infection, I was almost back to feeling like a normal person again. (After 7 years of disabling CFS that took my life from me.)
