Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is more than just being tired. It's a complex, debilitating condition that affects every aspect of life. We offer comprehensive testing and treatment approaches including IV nutrient therapy to help restore your energy and quality of life.
Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness characterized by profound fatigue that isn't improved by rest and is worsened by physical or mental exertion, a hallmark symptom called post-exertional malaise.
Unlike ordinary tiredness, ME/CFS can make even simple activities like showering or preparing a meal feel insurmountable. Fewer than 5% of patients return to their pre-illness activity levels with conventional care alone.
Core Symptoms of ME/CFS
Lasting 6+ months, not improved by rest
"Crash" after activity, lasting days or weeks
Waking exhausted despite adequate sleep
"Brain fog," difficulty concentrating, memory issues
Dizziness or worsening symptoms when upright
Muscle pain, joint pain, headaches
Our Approach to ME/CFS
There is no single treatment that works for everyone with ME/CFS. We take a comprehensive approach, addressing multiple contributing factors while respecting your energy limits.
Comprehensive Testing
Identify underlying factors that may be contributing to your fatigue or that could be addressed to improve your function.
- • Thyroid panel (full, not just TSH)
- • Adrenal function (cortisol, DHEA)
- • Nutrient status (B12, iron, vitamin D)
- • Inflammatory markers
- • Chronic infection screening
IV Nutrient Therapy
Bypass digestive absorption issues and deliver nutrients directly to cells for more immediate support.
- • Myers' Cocktail
- • High-dose vitamin C
- • Magnesium
- • B vitamins
- • Customized formulas
Targeted Support
Address specific issues identified through testing and clinical assessment.
- • Mitochondrial support
- • Adrenal support
- • Sleep optimization
- • Anti-inflammatory strategies
- • Pacing guidance
IV Nutrient Therapy for Chronic Fatigue
The Myers' Cocktail is an intravenous infusion of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and calcium that has been used for decades to treat chronic fatigue. Dr. Alan Gaby reported treating hundreds of ME/CFS patients with this therapy over 11 years, finding it frequently effective for improving fatigue.1
IV administration bypasses digestive absorption, which is often impaired in ME/CFS and delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream at concentrations far higher than achievable with oral supplements. Many patients experience noticeable improvement in energy within hours of treatment.
Research has shown that NADH and magnesium are among the nutrients most likely to benefit CFS patients.2 Both are included in our IV protocols.
What Patients Typically Experience
During Treatment
Relaxing warmth from magnesium, 30-45 minutes
Hours After
Increased energy, improved mental clarity
Days to Weeks
Benefits typically last 1-3 weeks between treatments
With Regular Treatment
Some patients achieve lasting improvement, others use as maintenance
Finding the Underlying Causes
ME/CFS often has multiple contributing factors. Comprehensive testing helps identify issues that can be specifically addressed.
Thyroid Function
Standard TSH testing misses many thyroid problems. A complete panel including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3 and antibodies gives a more complete picture.
Learn about thyroid testing →Adrenal Function
Chronic illness and stress can deplete adrenal function. Testing cortisol and DHEA helps identify adrenal dysfunction that contributes to fatigue.
Learn about hormone testing →Nutrient Status
Deficiencies in B12, iron, vitamin D and magnesium can all cause or worsen fatigue. Testing identifies specific deficiencies to address.
Learn about nutrient testing →Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is common in ME/CFS and may drive symptoms. Testing inflammatory markers helps guide anti-inflammatory strategies.
Chronic Infections
Reactivated viruses (EBV, HHV-6) and other chronic infections may contribute to ME/CFS. Testing can identify infections that may benefit from treatment.
Gut Health
Gut dysfunction is common in ME/CFS and affects nutrient absorption and immune function. Stool testing can identify imbalances to address.
Testing available without a family doctor requisition
Learn About Lab TestingWe Understand Pacing
If you have ME/CFS, you know that pushing through fatigue makes things worse, sometimes much worse. Post-exertional malaise can set you back for days, weeks or longer.
We understand this. Our approach respects your energy limits while working to expand them over time. We won't recommend exercise programs that could trigger crashes, and we'll work within your current capacity to make gradual improvements.
IV therapy can be particularly helpful because it provides support without requiring energy expenditure from you. You simply rest during the infusion while your body receives the nutrients it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I notice improvement?
Many patients notice improved energy within hours of their first IV treatment, though this effect may be temporary initially. With regular treatment, improvements often become more sustained. Addressing underlying issues like thyroid dysfunction or nutrient deficiencies typically takes weeks to months to show full benefit.
How often will I need IV treatments?
This varies significantly between patients. Some do well with weekly treatments initially, then transition to every 2-4 weeks for maintenance. Others use IV therapy as needed during flares or particularly demanding periods. We'll work with you to find a frequency that provides benefit while fitting your budget and schedule.
Is there a cure for ME/CFS?
There is currently no known cure for ME/CFS, and we won't promise one. However, many patients can achieve significant improvement in function and quality of life with comprehensive treatment. Some patients do eventually recover, though this isn't predictable. Our goal is to help you function as well as possible while supporting your body's capacity to heal.
I've tried everything. Can you still help?
Many patients come to us after years of unsuccessful treatment. We often find issues that weren't fully addressed, including incomplete thyroid testing, unrecognized nutrient deficiencies or chronic infections that weren't identified. Even when we can't find new issues, IV therapy provides a different delivery mechanism that may work when oral supplements haven't.
Do you treat long COVID fatigue?
Yes. Long COVID shares many features with ME/CFS, including post-exertional malaise and profound fatigue. Our approach (comprehensive testing, IV nutrient therapy and targeted support) applies equally well to post-viral fatigue from COVID-19 or other infections.
Ready to Address Your Fatigue?
Living with chronic fatigue is exhausting in every sense. Let's work together to identify what's contributing to your symptoms and develop a plan to help restore your energy and quality of life.
Most extended health plans cover naturopathic services
References
- Gaby AR. Intravenous nutrient therapy: the "Myers' cocktail". Altern Med Rev. 2002;7(5):389-403.
- Alraek T, Lee MS, Choi TY, Cao H, Liu J. Complementary and alternative medicine for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:87.
- Ali A, Njike VY, Northrup V, et al. Intravenous micronutrient therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for fibromyalgia: a placebo-controlled pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(3):247-57.