The ME/CFS Society of NSW Inc.

Hi Jules and Diane,

Last year, I was prescribed antidepressants for depression as a misdiagnosis of CFS. Finally, this year after 3 years of unexplained bouts of illness I was diagnosed with CFS. I knew there was something else going on in my body but the Dr was convinced that I was experiencing symptoms of depression only so I gave antidepressants a go.

Everyone has a different experience I guess but mine was not very positive. I was put on Lexapro and stayed on it for only 3 months due to the side effects. During this time my sleep was further disturbed and I gained a lot of weight. Also, I felt quite emotionally numb which felt weird. There were days of relief when I felt 'lighter' emotionally but in the end I chose to go for more homeopathic solutions.

Also, after extensive reading about CFS and my own experience with my body I truly feel that due to the fragility of my body it needs as little as possible of any type of synthetic substance. As I have also been suffering from a chronic back condition I have had to take anti inflammatory & pain killer medication on and off for a number of years. I now try to minimise use of these as well to give my body a rest. I believe with this illness we need to take pressure off all our organs and do our best to boost our immune system.

I see a Counselling psychologist and have tried to treat the other symptoms the best I can naturally. Cutting out caffeine and drinking chamomile tea before bed has a calming effect. Sometimes I do a guided mediation for relaxation before I sleep. Even if I don't sleep following this it always has a calming affect and I tell myself that rest is better than nothing.

As I said - this is just my experience and what works for one doesn't for the other. Follow your gut feeling Jules

I have also had to stop working and studying. Although, I am planning to pick up my studies again.

Good luck xx

Hi Jules,
Its always worth trying St Johns Wort first but just make sure that you let your dr know if you decided you might need an antidepressant as they can not be taken together and I do not know if you need to be off them for any lenght of time before you can start taking an antidepressant .
Good Luck.........Diane
ps... That walk up the mountain would be wonderful if only in our dreams.....if only.....

Jules,

I’m afraid I don’t have any advice on specific antidepressants. But I think it’s great to try to get rid of the emotional crap that can get in the way of your CFS – CFS is debilitating enough as it is without the extra burdens from depression and anxiety.

My one piece of advice would be to see a psych. You’re going through a pretty crappy illness, and you might find it helpful to talk that through. Antidepressants can be really useful, but looking at what’s causing the problems, and maybe even some CBT to help change the patterns that lead to your anxiety, and challenge that anxiety, for example, might be of some assistance as well. The fact that CFS is so isolating can be enough to cause anxiety and depression, and make us reluctant to go out even when we might be able to, simply because we’re not used to it.

As was mentioned in a previous post, you can get your doctor to write up a form which will get you a reduced psychologist fee (or completely bulk-billed depending on the psych).

I went through uni struggles with CFS too, although I have now finished my degree. Congrats on being in your final semester, you’ve nearly done it - that’s fantastic.

Hope you find something that works,

Amy

Wow, you guys are awesome!!! So much information and support, I love it! ) Usually when I make treatment decisions I talk to my husband and mum, but they both tend to agree with whatever I decide - that's lovely of course, but it's so much more helpful to get some thoughtful feedback, especially from others who are going through a similar experience.

You guys are right about the counseling - I'd been getting a bit of couseling from my herbal doctor (who has qualifications in everything), but it's very expensive and getting to the point where I can no longer drive myself there. So I've organised for a counselor at uni who I used to see, to do phone counseling with me, and am really looking forward to it. In the meantime I'm staying for a while at my mum's, where there is beautiful garden with chooks and a duck to watch, and no stairs. Perfect.

I'll look into St Johns Wort a bit more, and keep in mind your comments. I hope it helps, I'd really rather not take the antidepressants if I can help it.

Thanks everyone, you guys rock ;o)

Hi Jules!

I'm new here and just thought i'd tell you a little about my experiences with cfs that might help a little...

I was prescribed an antidepressant called Amira (moclobemide) by my immunologist recently. I haven't actually decided if I will take it or not yet as I am kinda hesitant with chemical meds and the commitment that antidepressants require, so I can't tell you if it has been good or not... but from what he said and what i have read it is apparently much better tolerated than many other antidepressants (and apparently has had some good results with CFS patients) and doesn't seem to have many horror stories associated with it (from what I been able to find! and I have been really looking for them on the internet cos I don't need any of my own if i take it!) Anyway, my specialist is quite knowledgeable about CFS and writes in medical journals and stuff about it so I more or less have confidence in him. However it was prescribed for me based on the fact that I can't get up before midday or 1pm cos i don't fall asleep till late, so he said it would help me have energy in the daytime so I can sleep at night, so I'm not really sure how suitable it is for anxiety and depression.. I know antidepressants all work differently for different types of emotional issues. But given that he said CFS patients have had some good experiences with it, it might be worth checking it out with your doctor if you decide to go that path.

I have been sick for about 4-7 years and to be honest the most success I have had has been with homeopathy - for both the physical and emotional problems that CFS blesses us with. I did try naturopathy which I think is a good general support for immunity, digestion and to ease some general symptoms but i didn't find that it helped as much with the fatigue itself or with the emotional stuff like depression and anxiety. I took St John's Wort for a while but wasn't too keen on some of the side affects (nausea, photosensitivity and it made my eyesight worse) It could be a good alternative to antidepressants if you're not sure about them, but just read up on the side affects. It does have some other health benefits (anti viral, good for pms, hormone imbalance etc) but just like antidepressants it can take 8 weeks or more to start feeling the full effect of it and you gotta be careful what other meds u take with it. I read some stuff about it the other day on Wikipedia which turned me off it tho- something to do with cell damage, reactions with vital proteins in the eye and free radicals : /

As far as homeopathy goes it works on the physical and emotional stuff at the same time and a remedy is matched to your exact symptoms at the time so it's not just some generic thing for one or two symptoms only. I usually notice it start working quickly, usually within 2-5 days. You can take homeopathics with any meds & there are no side effects. There is a counselling element in the consultation and homeopaths have been among some of the most compassionate and thorough people i've encountered in all of this, (unlike GP's unfortunately) so usually i feel a lot happier even straight after the consult just for talking about my problems. As for price they can be expensive but i started off going to a natural therapies college Student Clinic where the consults are much much cheaper (around $25-$30). The homeopath I see now has offered to do home visits or phone consults (and mail me the remedy) if I am unable to make it out to see him in person. I'm not really sure where i'd be if my naturopath hadn't recommended me homeopathy. I'm not saying it's a miracle cure (hey, if only!) but it has helped me a lot!

I think counselling is also really helping me at the moment with the emotional stuff. I only just started going but already i feel better for finding someone to listen & understand me. I also have to watch my expenses cos I had to give up work too, so I go to a social services place for counselling called Centacare and they only charge me $15 cos I don't earn an income. I didn't need a doctor's referral or anything for the appt. I think they offer other services that are subsidised like cheap cleaning and stuff too.

Anyhow hope this stuff helps a bit, just let me know if you have any questions about my experiences with St John's Wort or homeopathy or anything

And hang in there... I always remind myself that us CFS sufferers are among the strongest, most resourceful and most emotionally capable people ever.. to be able to deal with the constant tests and hurdles that we are handed with CFS. People might want to criticise or belittle us, but at the end of the day they can never know how much emotional and spiritual strength we have had to harness in our daily struggle with CFS. More in one day than some people can in
a lifetime. And this in itself is an amazing achievement that we all should be so so proud of!!

=)

Hello Jules,
I have just joined this group..I too have found aurorix a good anti depressant for me..I started taking it 2 years after the onset of CFS....when I started becoming more depressed. I find it has little side effects ..although for me it does make me a little nauseated in the mornings even when I take it with food...this I believe is because of my very low blood sugar and I feel at my worst physically in the mornings...when i tried weaning myself of it a couple of times I started becoming depressed again...I did try others but found my sensitivity to prescription drugs made them too strong. I know I am later giving a suggestion but today is my first day in here . All the best . Now i just have to learn how this site works etc.

regards Julesd

I have taken a combo of Endep and Melatonin to help me sleep, and it has worked well for me. I hope you get a good bemefit from it too Jules. Other than that, though, I don't know much about anti-depressants, but the link you gave looks interesting Jules.
Also, hi Julesd. Great to hear that you've found a treatment that works for you (well, at least for one of your symptoms anyway). It's great to hear how others are finding meds and what has been working.
Hope you get the hang of the site (I know, it can be hard - particularly when brain fog sets in). If you have any qstns just post or email one of us about them.

Amy

I think you should go to Dr Richard Schloeffel and ask more questions:-

Dr Richard Schloeffel
Chronic fatigue expert
Suite 2 Level 2
802 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072

Phone: (02) 9418 1388
Fax: (02) 9418 1418

Hi Jules

So happy to hear your news! Congratulations on being brave and moving on. Hope you continue to improve. You go girl!