Did anyone else have these symptoms?

[Mypelicanfriend]

Hi everyone

Really grateful to have found this forum. I've just been diagnosed with what my rheumatologist is calling post infection fatigue after 4 months of illness.

I don't think I had glandular fever like many on this forum but I can't rule it out. I had severe gastro-enteritis in September and then appeared to have caught a flu like illnesss on the back of that. Over the next month I experienced severe shooting and burning pains in my hands, arms and legs. I also had headaches, cold sweats and other bizarre symptoms including the persistent feeling that something was not right and anxiety attacks.

The symptoms gradually lessened over about three months and I was able to type, walk and do a lot more again. But then I relapsed big time and can hardly walk again. I feel like I have energy but that none if it is getting to my limbs when I try an walk / do any exercise. My rheumatologist says that he has seen it a lot in people my age (I am 29) and is still saying I should be better in the course of a year.

I have to believe that is the case, or at least that things will improve in the future and am hoping that it was a positive sign that I improved so much even if I relapsed. I guess I wanted to see if I am alone in that for me it is the apparent muscle fatigue (very painful) that comes on during and that hurts after minimal physical activity that is stopping me doing more rather than any overwhelming feel of tiredness? I guess that the fatigue in pvfs covers that aspect but it seems that many people describe feeling tired rather than pain in the muscles. Does anyone else get this?

Thanks so much in advance for your support

Wishing you all swift recoveries

Xx

My doctor says I can expect a 6-12 month recovery in

[rm1]

sure sounds like you have pvfs all of these symptoms are consistent with it. I have bad muscle aches in my legs. You need to relax and take it easy now and give your body every chance of recovery, many people do recover not necessarily within a year and you can improve your chances by your behaviour.

[Tallypop]

It seems so many people have got post viral from a stomach virus, its uncanny... Yup same sort of symptoms for me, although I feel both weak and tired, but I have been having a few better days recently, sure you will too, I think the key is not over doing it on the good days. Its hard to say when it will go (but it will), just do everything you can to help your body along and try and think positive.

x

[Mypelicanfriend]

Thankyou both so much.

The doctor sent me out the door with no information at all so although resting up sounds obvious, looking back I got it wrong and did too much too soon, ignoring the fact that my body was protesting. At first I was devastated by the setback but I feel better now in that I think I understand why it happened. Slow and steady wins the race right?

First good night's sleep since the setback so that is a good sign right?

Interesting about the stomach virus thing. Wish I knew what had got me. Had been sailing week or so earlier so it's very possible I picked up something then, maybe from cotaminated water. I guess it doesn't matter too mich now.

Thanks again for your positive messages, I really appreciate them! Sending positive vines back your way too! My 'to do' list for when I am better grows longer daily but i think I will appreciate the small things. Xxx

[isis25]

Hi Mypelicanfriend and welcome to the forum <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 />


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I won't let ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia rule my life, I'll just adjust it accordingly!

[isis25]

DOH...helps if I don't press the enter key too early!!

Anyway...PVF is erm interesting shall we say lol. Symptoms can be vast and it can be debilitating but it doesn't mean you won't recover, so try and stay positive! Everything you're describing sounds like the symptoms of PVF..and you need to be pacing your activities to help you self manage to avoid the boom & bust cycle that we can fall into! This means resting in between your activities and by activities I mean everything from brushing your teeth, bathing, watching tv, listening to music..to doing the housework and going to the gym (if you're lucky enough). By doing this, you may find that you can fit more into your day and build up your stamina slowly (no more than 20% gradual increases). Try to eat healthily, avoid smoking, alcohol and stress if at all possible and be as kind to your body as you can bear to be! Keep a diary if necessary and please note that post exertional malaise can happen any time from immediately to 72 hours after over activity.

As for pain in your muscles..a LOT of people with PVFS/CFS/ME and FM get this so you're not alone...I was diagnosed in Feb last year with CFS (ME) with Fibromyalgia (FM) and IBS and suffer widespread pain (neck, shoulder, elbow, thighs, hips, knees...to name a few). Speak to your docs about pain management (although some of them are useless) as normal analgesics often won't touch the pain and its trial and error to get the right medication for you. Don't be surprised if they offer you low dosage anti-depressants as a lot of them are used to help neuropathic pain.

Good luck
Ang
x


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I won't let ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia rule my life, I'll just adjust it accordingly!