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Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

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31–40 of 348 posts

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#31
post #9
post #7

I've battled with CFS/ME multiple times in my life, each triggered by different ailments. First, it was Epstein-Barr at the end of my tenth grade, leading to two solid years of chronic CFS. Then, at 31, Chicken Pox knocked me out for roughly 18 to 24 months. More recently, from January to August 2021, I experienced "Long Covid," and this July, a bout with RSV left me grappling with CFS once again. My symptoms include…

Garlic is commonly seen as (strongly) stimulating metabolism, right?

Look I think so, curious to know if the blood thinning properties of alician would enable to body to better repair itself, improve important metabolic processes?

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#32
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I forgot to add a potentially relevant detail: garlic contains a compound called allicin, which has blood-thinning properties akin to aspirin. Intrigued by this similarity, I decided to run an N=1 experiment. I bought some aspirin from the pharmacy and tried it out. The results were astonishing — almost euphoric — and I felt like a new person.

Could you please elaborate, are you saying taking aspirin was better than the garlic?

The answer is yes, I think it is better. Personally I’m just not prepared to take Aspirin for more than a few days. So garlic for me. Also I think that anyone who is already on blood thinning medication should consult their doctor.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#33

My money is on Epstein Barr causing it. Even acutely, many are faced with intense fatigue.

If so, since 90% of people have it [1], avoid it is futile (a bit like avoiding COVID). So the question is how to avoid it causing CFS, or how to get the body out of the CFS state. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559285/#:~:text=Epstei... ..

> If so, since 90% of people have it [1], avoid it is futile (a bit like avoiding COVID)

It's not futile. Install proper HEPA air filters in trains and other public transit, provide actual ventilation in public buildings, mandate antiseptic (e.g. part copper) door handles, and especially: provide actual sick leave at work and mandate employers to send sick employees home (and while we're at it, the same for kindergartens and schools)... that would drastically cut down on all kinds of infectious diseases without forcing anyone to wear masks.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#34
post #27

Largely unrelated, but the thing which leaves me feeling most wiped-out is playing (modern) computer games. I've cut them out completely, as they have no positive benefits and leave me listless and unmotivated.

Any particular class of game? Are we talking AAA console games or casual mobile games, or everything?

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#35

I did not get covid but did get the vaccines + 2 boosters. I have been feeling tired etc for the last 6+ months turns out because of the work at home etc and my lifestyle I was not getting enough sunlight and had very low vitamin D levels. I am not white so need to spend longer time in sunlight according to my doctor.

Please ask your doctor if supplements are right for you and how much.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#36

Physician here. Imo CFS is best understood as the endpoint of an evolution within the nervous system that is increasingly called "central sensitization syndrome." (CSS) This syndrome is caused by a chronic dissociative or avoidant stress response, usually having it's origin in early childhood adversity. Prior to developing CFS, most individuals have other manifestations of CSS, such as IBS, chronic pain, TMD, etc. Ev…

So you're saying it's all psychological? If this is true, why are so many with ME/CFS/Long COVID responding so well to LDN? I have had ME/CFS for 25 years and also practised mindfulness and pacing all that time yet it did nothing, but when I took LDN it instantly worked.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#37
post #7

I've battled with CFS/ME multiple times in my life, each triggered by different ailments. First, it was Epstein-Barr at the end of my tenth grade, leading to two solid years of chronic CFS. Then, at 31, Chicken Pox knocked me out for roughly 18 to 24 months. More recently, from January to August 2021, I experienced "Long Covid," and this July, a bout with RSV left me grappling with CFS once again. My symptoms include…

Where can I find out more about the garlic that isn't a homeopathic or alternative medicine site? Would ginger have a similar effect? As I understand it, they share many properties.

I know what you mean, I was frustrated by all the pseudo crap out there...

But I did find this article that helped a bit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/

Does it have a positive effect on the vascular system? Crumbs IDK, not a clinician but I sure do feel a lot better.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#38
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Adult onset chicken pox is brutal. It can permanently change you.

Honestly, it was the worst 6 weeks of my life. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Three weeks of incubation, two weeks of breakouts and a week of recovery. My employer terminated my employment two weeks after that. In retrospect, I should have pursued legal action.

> My employer terminated my employment two weeks after that. In retrospect, I should have pursued legal action.

I assume you're from the USA?

I really hear the high-life stories with some envy and respect but oh boy is there another side of the coin...

In any case, I'm sorry to hear that, and hope that it becomes an insignificant unfortunate moment not even worth mentioning in your otherwise happy life story.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#39
post #7

I've battled with CFS/ME multiple times in my life, each triggered by different ailments. First, it was Epstein-Barr at the end of my tenth grade, leading to two solid years of chronic CFS. Then, at 31, Chicken Pox knocked me out for roughly 18 to 24 months. More recently, from January to August 2021, I experienced "Long Covid," and this July, a bout with RSV left me grappling with CFS once again. My symptoms include…

Where can I find out more about the garlic that isn't a homeopathic or alternative medicine site? Would ginger have a similar effect? As I understand it, they share many properties.

Just Google "garlic blood thinner"; it's not pseudoscience, it's a very well documented effect. In fact it's not advisable to eat a lot of garlic if you have low blood pressure or bleeding disorder.

Re: Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin

#40
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please think before you write, this is extremely offensive.

I didn't say all or even a majority were exaggerating symptoms, I simply said that many were. Part of my justification was a number of studies which have found psychological distress over catching COVID as a strong predictor of long Covid: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9825049/

Thank you for your concern. When I was 17, I developed acute neuropathy after covid which was diagnosed via a biopsy. It manifested as orthostatic intolerance caused by insufficient blood flow to my brain. I have been bedridden for around two years now. I was certainly distressed when I got COVID, largely because of a burning pain emanating from my extremities. My uncle died from autoimmune scleroderma. He also developed Lymphoma, whose pathology we believe began with Epstein-Barr.

The prevailing hypothesis is a cross reactive species of auto antibodies to the Angiotensin II Type 1 receptor. I unfortunately have not been able to receive a test for this antibody; however, I did test positive for Alpha and Beta adrenergic autoantibodies along with Muscarinic M2 and M4 autoantibodies targeting the hippocampus of my brain. I managed a borderline positive titer for anti TSHDS antibodies, which are correlated with small fiber neuropathy.

Normally, I do not comment, and I specifically made an account to type this message while holding a laptop over my head, a difficult task as you can imagine. The medical community is moving too slow in response to post Covid syndromes. I and all the other people affected with neurologic complications would be most appreciative if you all helped review literature on the immune system. It is an awful lot like debugging code! Right now, I read a section about Janus Kinase and TNF alpha. I believe a medication like baracitinib would do a wonderful job mediating mthe inflammatory response. ICU covid patients typically died from TNF alpha, Interleukin 6, and Cysteinyl Leukotriene 1 mediated by 5 lipoxygenase synthesis from arachidonic acid. All of these biomarkers are elevated in long covid patients. Lastly, covid can actually cause a reactivation of Epstein-Barr and HSV1. Telemisartan is an Angiotensin receptor blocker that can downregulate ACE2 levels in the body and demonstrates a prophylactic effect against covid.

If you read this far, I am deeply appreciative. More so than monetary donations, I would be grateful if could spread the message about this disorder.

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