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    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

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  1. Derekthecat

    The Hale Clinic. Dr Andriana Tsagka-Cilliers

    Haha. Well, I was told that for CFS I would need 2 hours of form reviewing, 2 hours of consultation and 2 hours of some sort of post-consultation paperwork - so my initial appointment would have been more like £2000. Not including any testing. That's way out of my league unfortunately!
  2. Derekthecat

    The Hale Clinic. Dr Andriana Tsagka-Cilliers

    Thanks - That's her!
  3. Derekthecat

    The Hale Clinic. Dr Andriana Tsagka-Cilliers

    Has anyone heard of the above Doctor? She's a Functional Medicine Practitioner in London, at the Hale Clinic. She seems to have very good credentials and I'm considering seeing her. She claims to have a high number of CFS patients, I'm just a bit wary she hasn't been mentioned in these forums...
  4. Derekthecat

    Prozac / Fluoxetine

    I thought people might like to know I have found this thread super useful. After a lot of research I've decided not to take the fluoxetine. If there's no indication that it helps at all with CFS per se, then I can deal with the stress & depression through other more holistic methods such as EFT...
  5. Derekthecat

    Prozac / Fluoxetine

    I'll look into this, it's not something I've heard of before!
  6. Derekthecat

    Prozac / Fluoxetine

    Interestingly I have always found that a bit of alcohol makes my symptoms go away, to the point where it helps me function - which did make me wonder if my CFS was some type of alcohol withdrawal. (I used to drink a lot in my 20s) Therefore I have decided to go cold turkey and cut out drinking...
  7. Derekthecat

    Prozac / Fluoxetine

    That's interesting. My doctor is definitely taking the view that it's a bit of both. I'm not sure what this is based on though as I can't see any evidence on line of anti-depressants helping with CFS, and I certainly wasn't depressed before I became ill.
  8. Derekthecat

    Prozac / Fluoxetine

    I've been prescribed Prozac to combat the mental side effects of CFS (like many people the hopelessness has led to depression) but I'm too scared to take it! I've read so many bad things about taking Prozac in conjunction with CfS- has my doctor made a mistake? I haven't started taking it yet...
  9. Derekthecat

    Nutritional Approaches

    I've seen a really great holistic therapist today in London who's convinced my CFS symptoms are mitochondrial dysfunction related to my history of GERD and leaky gut problems. I know everyone is different and there is TONS of information on this topic in this gigantic forum, but I just wondered...
  10. Derekthecat

    Neurological basis for CFS?

    Thanks, I have a few tests pending. My current specialist is keen to do an indepth test of my Krebs cycle so hopefully that will reveal where the deficits are. I'm a bit wary of the methylation protocol as I did a toe-test on this and my symptoms got 10 times worse but I'm definitely reading...
  11. Derekthecat

    Neurological basis for CFS?

    Thank you Maria, this is, weirdly, exactly what I was looking for. There aren't many answers with this strange disease so it's just reassuring to hear similar stories. Interesting about your triggers as I also have big crashes when I've been writing, using the computer, or concentrating too...
  12. Derekthecat

    Neurological basis for CFS?

    Totally agree. I have to admit my brain fog means I am probably writing gobblidigook, and not relaying properly what has actually been said and by who. Basically they're slightly puzzled by the weighting towards "head" as opposed to body symptoms - but have given me a diagnosis for CFS anyway...
  13. Derekthecat

    Neurological basis for CFS?

    I do have a neuro referral pending, but I've been told it's a precaution and that most of my symptoms are classic CFS. Symptoms are triggered by exertion, and accompanied by some fatigue which at times is intense but that's not my worst symptom by far.
  14. Derekthecat

    Shock effect like cold shower - does anyone identify with this symptom?

    Hi Blacksnake, I realise this is an old post so it may be things have changed but I'd love to know how this panned out? The neural over stimulation is something I've experienced, very similar to what you're talking about. The interesting thing is I've also found alcohol (taken in desperation)...
  15. Derekthecat

    Neurological basis for CFS?

    Hi all, I have been receiving treatment for CFS for a relatively short time (7 months) and although there is a certain amount of mild fatigue I don't generally have muscle pain and FM. The main symptoms for me are brain-fog, confusion, amnesia and a "buzzing" feeling in my head which is very...
  16. Derekthecat

    Comment by 'Derekthecat' in 'My Understanding of Freddd's Protocol'

    There's something I can't get my head round. - Both summaries suggest taking up to 30mg of Methylfolate to counter paradoxical folate deficiemcy. That's 37 x 800mcg pills - virtually a whole tub. That can't be right??
  17. Derekthecat

    CFS/overtraining

    Hi there, I'm new to this forum but I have experienced something very similar to you. I was a very active runner, cyclist, swimmer (etc) until mid last year. I've just come to the realisation that I have to give up sport for a while due to worsening symptoms. Hopefully not for ever - although...