Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis, can leave sufferers feeling tired, even after sleep, and may lead to problems with memory and concentration.
Nearly 80 Percent Report Post-COVID CFS
A recent questionnaire-based study published in the journal Neurology International found that nearly 80 percent of patients with COVID-19 had one or more persistent symptoms post-infection and 58 percent met the case definition for CFS.“Post-COVID fatigue and myalgic encephalomyelitis are two disorders that have a tremendous amount of overlap,” Dr. Thomas Gut, medical director of the Post-COVID Recovery Center at Staten Island University Hospital, part of Northwell Health in New York, told The Epoch Times.
It may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as tender lymph nodes, musculoskeletal pain, sleep disruption, and psychiatric problems.
CFS and its painful cousin fibromyalgia represent the “tripping of a circuit breaker” in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a board-certified internist and nationally known expert in the fields of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep, and pain, told The Epoch Times.
“It is not enough to simply turn the circuit breaker back on,” Teitelbaum said. “You also need to address what caused the circuit breaker to overload, and this varies dramatically from cause to cause.”
- A stressful job or relationship
- Hormonal issues
- Other chronic infections
- Autoimmune disease
Ivermectin May Help Post-COVID and Post-Vaccine CFS
Ivermectin could help those living with post-COVID-19 CFS, Teitelbaum said.Participants in the ivermectin group showed a statistically significant reduction of 72 percent in laboratory-confirmed infections between day 1 and day 28, versus a placebo.
No adverse effects were associated with a daily intake of ivermectin of 200 microgram/kg on day 1, or of 100 microgram/kg daily from day 2 to day 28, during the study.
“It was unexpected,” Teitelbaum said, “but we have found that ivermectin is often very helpful in both long COVID and in post-COVID-vaccine CFS and fibromyalgia.
“I don’t know why. I simply know from treating people that it does.”
He said he can offer speculations, but they would simply be theories.
Teitelbaum said that what differentiates post-COVID-19 patients with CFS from patients with non-COVID-19-induced CFS is that “many improve considerably with the medication ivermectin.”
Natural Ways to Fight CFS
Research published in the Indian Journal of Tuberculosis finds that an effective CFS treatment is total rest—which means relaxing with no mental stimulation.Study authors say those who have experienced post-COVID-19 CFS described lying in a darkened room for long periods to promote mental and physical rest.
Besides relaxation, they recommend using breathing and meditation apps and reducing any sensory input that makes you feel tense, such as noise and bright lights. Instead, expose yourself to things that are restful and relaxing, such as your favorite music or fragrance.
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
- Glutathione
- A multivitamin with zinc
- Anti-inflammatories, such as highly absorbed curcumin and the herb Boswellia, that “shut down” inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the virus
SHINE is an acronym for the five main areas of health that must be tended to. It stands for adequate Sleep, optimal Hormone levels, Immunity and underlying Infections, good Nutrition, and Exercise as able.
“Whether the CFS or fibromyalgia comes from COVID or other causes, these conditions are very treatable,” Teitelbaum said.
He emphasized that the problem isn’t a lack of effective treatments but the lack of effective physician education because the conditions are complex and because these treatments are low cost.
