Sleep Experimentation (ongoing)
As is typical to the condition, I experience non restorative sleep. A good night of sleep doesn't set me up for a "good day", but a poor night sets me up for a worse one than normal, so its important not to sleep badly
My goal is to make good sleep something I can achieve "on command", not subject to moods and other things beyond my control
Sleep hygiene will be part of it. But first I need some supplemental help as habits alone so far haven't helped
My latest experiments have been with Benadryl (neutral), Doxylamine (bad) and a drug called Doxepin (at 3mg, seemed to help with later portion of sleep but not much help with onset)
Also experimenting with melatonin, which never fails to make me sleepy but beyond a small dose of 1-2 mg makes sleep pretty weird.
3/22 - B12 Deficiency Program (ongoing)
Have been aware of B12 deficiency since at least 2016
Addressed in 2016 with a month of weekly injections, followed by oral supplementation
Levels got exponentially higher, but no noticeable difference in mood
Would still sporadically supplement, but it became a back burner to other courses of action
In latest bloodwork, levels were around 190, below acceptable range, and doctor prescribed injections
After reading that it could take 6-12 months to repair low B12 levels, I decided it was worth a repeated and more consistent effort, especially since B12 deficiency can technically cause all my symptoms
2/22 : Ketamine Infusions
6 rounds of IV administered ketamine, 2x a week for a total of 3 weeks.
Alleged to help with brain fog, depression.
Was enlightening in some ways but had no perceptible impact on CFS symptoms or even mood
10/21-12/21- Testosterone/Malabsorption Round 1 (Unsuccessful)
First took a topical testosterone cream for 2 weeks, 0 effect. I opted to avoid TRT in favor of addressing the possibility of dietary causes
Doc 2 hypothesizes my low cholesterol/D/B12/A, connected to Low T levels are due to an issue absorbing fats
Prescribes:
Hybrid of hormonal T precursors (DHEA and Pregnanolone) alongside supplements to improve absorption (low
Ox Bile, NTFactor Energylipids, Cod Liver Oil.
5/21-6/21 (1.5 months) "Pegan" Diet and GI regimen (Unsuccessful)
Following this GI Test, as well as testing for EBV, HHV6 and Lyme, Doc 1 prescribes a dysbiosis/SIBO regimen to address imbalance as well as high Blastocystis (parasite) levels
ADP Emulsified Oregano, Dysbiocide, and Saccharomyces boulardii. No major effects but smoother bowel movements, less gas
At the same time, stopped eating gluten and dairy for a month and a half, started a "Pegan (paleo/vegan)" diet with emphasis on meat and veg