What Kind of Doctor Treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Exploring Ketamine & SGB

Summary for what kinds of doctors treat chronic fatigue syndrome

• Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a complex and poorly understood condition that most doctors don't have good treatments for
• Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are at risk of gaslighting
• Integrative medicine specialists, neurologists, and rheumatologists can advocate for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
• These doctor specialists understand the deep connection between your nervous system and immune system
• IV Ketamine and the Stellate Ganglion Block, and NAD+ are holistic modalities that can provide immense relief to some patients with ME/CFS
• You need a trusted doctor when using these powerful therapies

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a challenging condition that most doctors are not familiar with treating. While doctors are still learning about ME/CFS and different treatments, it's critical for your doctor to understand that a holistic view is needed. Learn how to find the kind of doctor that treats chronic fatigue syndrome. You'll also learn how holistic treatments like IV Ketamine and the Stellate Ganglion Block help address this chronic fatigue that affects up to 1.3% of Americans.

What is ME/CFS and Why Are Most Doctors Confused by it?

The hallmark of ME/CFS is persistent fatigue that doesn't get better with rest. The fatigue can persist for months and, contrary to the fatigue experienced by other patients, is often exacerbated by physical or mental activity. There are many potential triggers for ME/CFS:

• Infections (long COVID, Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, etc.)
• High levels of inflammation
• Physical or emotional stress
• Energy metabolism problems

Unfortunately, we often can't confirm what triggers the systemic symptoms of ME/CFS. This has led some people to believe it "is all in your head." This perspective is fueled by the systemic and variable symptoms of ME/CFS, which can include:

• Memory or cognitive impairment
• Headaches and chronic pain
• Heart rhythm problems (high overlap with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, POTS)
• Altered gut microbiome
• Sleep abnormalities

Women are affected more often than men, leading to a higher risk of gaslighting by some doctors. Paired with the few effective treatments for ME/CFS, this means that the kind of doctor who treats chronic fatigue syndrome needs a holistic view of their patient.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

A doctor who treats chronic fatigue syndrome, or ME/CFS, must understand how the fatigue symptoms are all connected. This typically requires doctors like:

• Integrative medicine specialists
• Neurologists
• Rheumatologists

These doctor specialties place heavy emphasis on the powerful connection between the nervous system and immune system.

Your body's nerves connect to every ounce of your body. Your immune system is constantly surveilling your entire body. When your nervous system and immune system misalign, it can lead to vicious cycles of inflammation and fatigue.

Look for doctors who can "reset" the nervous system and immune system to break the cycles of fatigue

A doctor who can "reset" the nervous system and immune system can provide solutions to break these cycles of fatigue in patients with ME/CFS. Numerous conditions demonstrate the benefits of "resetting" our nervous system and immune systems:

• Long COVID with the Stellate Ganglion Block
• Depression with IV Ketamine (and here)‍
• Chronic pain with IV Ketamine‍
• PTSD with IV Ketamine and the Stellate Ganglion Block‍
• Traumatic Brain Injury with Stellate Ganglion Block‍
• Anxiety

Most of these conditions are highly responsive to the Stellate Ganglion Block and IV Ketamine therapies. Doctors that are familiar with these treatments can advocate for patients with ME/CFS.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Leads to Reduced Blood Flow in the Brain

Blood flow to the brain (called cerebral blood flow, CBF) is critical to our wellbeing. If we don't get enough blood flow to our brain, we will pass out. Our brain blood flow is regulated by our nervous system.

Patients with ME/CFS and POTS are prone to reduced blood flow to the brain, especially when changing body positions. This impaired brain blood flow is worsened with the severity of chronic fatigue syndrome. Furthermore, strenuous mental tasks also impair brain blood flow, possibly leading to cognitive dysfunction in patients with POTS.

Stellate Ganglion Block Restores Brain Blood Flow and the Immune System

The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) increases brain blood flow. This directly counteracts the effects of ME/CFS and POTS. It is believed that this restored brain blood flow is responsible for improvements in long COVID and anosmia after SGB. Interestingly, the benefits of the SGB on ME/CFS long outlast the duration of action of the local anesthetic used in the nerve block. This suggests multiple effects of SGB on simultaneously resetting our nervous system and immune system.

In addition to restoring brain blood flow, SGB can also reset the nervous and immune systems. By blocking the fight-flight response, SGB breaks the vicious cycle of nervous activation leading to the immune system's hyperinflammation. This "reset" may explain the lasting benefit of SGB in patients with long COVID-induced chronic fatigue.

Low-Grade Inflammation May Worsen Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

For decades we have observed infections triggering ME/CFS. These antecedent infections may explain why there is ongoing, low-grade inflammation in many patients with ME/CFS.

IV Ketamine is an Anti-Inflammatory Antidepressant that can Improve Chronic Fatigue

Chronic inflammation appears to worsen both chronic fatigue and depression in patients with ME/CFS. Depression itself is also critical to treat in those with ME/CFS, when present. IV Ketamine uniquely provides benefits for our ME/CFS patients:

• Ketamine can rapidly reduce fatigue in patients with depression
• Anti-inflammatory properties of ketamine likely improve fatigue and depression
• Ketamine can improve multiple other symptoms of ME/CFS, including nausea

You Deserve Relief from Chronic Fatigue

You deserve to find healing from chronic fatigue syndrome and to regain your peak mood and energy. IV Ketamine, Stellate Ganglion Block, and NAD+ therapies may provide valuable symptom relief. It is important to speak with your doctor about the benefits and risks of IV Ketamine and SGB. Schedule a free consultation with Clarus Health to learn if IV Ketamine, SGB, or NAD+ may be effective in restoring your energy levels.