I hit a wall every day where I feel like I can't keep taking in information and like my mind is very tired from being stimulated . . . my threshold is very very low. Sometimes I don't even want to watch a tv show because it feels like it will take too much mental energy to follow it.
You'll find a lot of people on the forums who can relate to that, myself included.
Here's what I recommend considering:
D-ribose: Might reduce body pain and increase energy. I'd suggest trying a "loading dose" of 5g 3x/day for 21 days then 5g 2x/day thereafter. (I haven't been able to complete this myself, but heard it can be useful.) D-ribose helps with ATP, essentially relieving your body of taking an extra step in the energy process.
Excedrin Migraine: Basically a mix of acetaminophen and aspirin with caffeine. It might help reduce inflammation. Be warned that acetaminophen lowers gluathione in the brain and aspirin lowers intracellular glutathione.
Caffeine: Dr. Myhill states caffeine helps with cyclic AMP. I take green or black tea sometimes to "front load" energy to help perform tasks for a certain period of time. However, I still need my regular rest periods. Taking it when low energy can result in a hindrance.
I also don't recommend this for everyone! It is a vasoconstrictor and diuretic. It can cause fast heart rate and anxiety. Do not overdose. Expect the effects to last about 4-6 hrs.
Vasopressor AND/OR Beta blocker: If you have orthostatic intolerance, this could be a game-changer.
If you have low blood pressure, then a vasopressor can bring it up and help bring blood and oxygen to the brain. A beta blocker can slow down your heart rate to help prevent tachycardia when sitting and standing. Some people report an improved quality of life. It can be a mixed bag.
For me, pseudoephedrine (the stuff in Sudafed) was a special little thing I stumbled upon, before I was officially diagnosed with POTS. It can double the amount of what I can do - again, provided I have my regular rest. Pseudoephedrine can cause fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and anxiety. If blood pressure is already high, it can make one feel awful and keep you awake for the run of the medication.
Lay Down: CFS patients typically have low blood volume and decreased oxygen to the brain. According to Dr. Myhill, resting will restore blood flow, making functioning easier. So, give your blood a path of least resistance. I would suggest trying things - even watching TV - while laying down and see how you feel.
In places where it's not practical to lay down, keep your legs elevated (around your hips in height) or at least one leg up when sitting. You might also try slouching or tilting your head to the side, but this could kill your posture over time/send the wrong message. You can also squat or kneel down - helps with tachycardia, too.
Rest / Heart Rate Monitor: My CFS doc told me that taking rest periods during activities will increase the amount I can do. Some people use a heart rate monitor to see when they go over their estimated
anaerobic threshold, where lactic acid starts building up and causing pain. (Stevens et al. found that CFS patients typically have a lower VO2max and reach anaerobic threshold earlier. So, a 39-year-old CFS patient might enter AT at 108 bpm, whereas a healthy person wouldn't enter it until about 143 bpm.)
The
formula is:
220 - age * 0.60 = max heart rate
Before the person reaches AT, they stop and rest until their heart rate lowers. And then they continue their activity. I must admit, however, that it takes a considerable amount of discipline to do forced rests.
Diet / Allergens / Metal Detox / Chemicals: Anything that reduces the body burden might help you. Take an antihistamine and see if that does anything for you. (I don't suggest benedryl, as that might knock you out!) Some people find benefit via detox from methylation or chelation (i.e. Cutler protocol). Some people avoid mold, household chemicals, diary, gluten, etc.
Acetyl-l-carnitine OR L-carnitine Fumarate: I found that LCF helped with the chest angina - essentially bringing more "oomph" to the heart. However, if it was sacrificing my brain power for heart power, then it wasn't worth it to me. I don't know if ALCAR did anything for my mental functioning, but may work for some.
CFS patients typically have mitochondrial dysfunction. According to Dr. Myhill, the brain does not have a huge amount of mito's - so when you are low on energy, your brain will suffer. Until you can get rid of the mito dysfunction, you might always be dealing with the energy cap.
