Hello, finding PVF quite difficult...

[Tallypop]

Hi

Its hard to know where to start, I guess my symptoms started 5/6 months ago but I have only been really ill for around 4. About four months ago I got a nasty cold, nothing unusual about that. I got over it but a few days later I began to feel very weak and very sick, it came on very fast, I got into bed and didn't really leave except for to shower and eat. The doctors told me I had gastritis (caused by a virus), I'm at university and I became so unwell I needed to go home. Nausea, fatigue, headaches, and just aches in general are my main symptoms, I feel really sick allot of the time and I don't want to eat so my weight dropped.

Then things started to improve after 2 months (the doctors at this point still said "its a virus"), however as soon as I think I'm getting better, I do a little more and get ill again. I am also very emotional all the time, this is not like me at all. I need to be well as I hate putting my life on hold like this (Im sure everyone feels the same!

Anyone else struggle with Nausea, or feel like their improving only to relapse quickly afterwards?

Any advice, reassurance would be most appreciated, as I'm a bit lost.

x

[littlerosieposie]

Hello there,

Your symptoms all sound very 'normal' to me. I've been ill for 20mths now and nausea has been and still is one of my main symptoms.
Also, it is very normal to relapse when we do a bit too much. The key to recovery is rest and pace yourself. Think of how much you can manage to do then halve it, that should keep you within your limits.
There's tons of good advice on here and we have a facebook page too which is great when you need to chat, moan, laugh or anything else really!! https://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=h#!/groups/107949012612338/

Welcome to the site
Kerri-anne xx

[littlerosieposie]

Oh bum!! Don't think that link worked, I'm rubbish with computers lol!!
The group is Postviralfatigue.me.uk

xx

[Tallypop]

Thanks for the reply, my mum keeps telling me I will get better, I believe her most of the time! Just sometimes I lose myself, and feel like things will never get better, but I know they will. Four months in relation to the rest of my life is not really a long time at all, but at the moment it feels like an eternity.
x

[littlerosieposie]

Yeah I know what you mean, it's very scary to have no idea when you'll get better but a positive attitude is essential. I've struggled a fair bit with anxiety caused by the PVF and it has set my recovery back no end. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body and accept any help thats offered!!!

K xxx

[Tallypop]

Allot of my Nausea initially was caused by the inflammation of my stomach (side effects nausea, cramp, heartburn), so my Dr put me an acid suppressant which really helped reduce the nausea and stopped the heartburn. I am thinking of going on it until I'm well as it really does help (I was on the lowest dose). I'm also due to see a specialist when I finally get an appointment!
x

[lynny]

hi
i have the same symptoms as you but have been told that because Im anxious and constantly thinking about and looking for/assessing my symptoms that this is whats bringing them on and making me worse - do you have any thoughts on this?

[littlerosieposie]

<b>lynny</b> wrote:
<div class=quote>hi
i have the same symptoms as you but have been told that because Im anxious and constantly thinking about and looking for/assessing my symptoms that this is whats bringing them on and making me worse - do you have any thoughts on this?</div>

As someone who has suffered pretty badly with anxiety since gettuing CFS I must say that I agree totally. My anxiety has always centred on my health, I go from obsessing over one thing to the next. However, since getting my anxiety under control a few months ago my symptoms have reduced dramatically. I got into a cycle of having a symptom, obsessing over it until it became a huge deal, which in turn made me worry more and my anxiety worse still - it's a vicious cycle that's difficult to break free from. I had CBT which helped a bit but in the end I had to come to terms with the fact that it was me and my thought process that was the problem.
Obviously I'm not symptom free as I still have CFS but at least now I know my symptoms are genuine and not caused by my anxiety. I'm rubbish at putting things into words, I hope you understand what I am trying to say, feel free to PM me if you want to chat anytime.
Kerri-anne xx

[Tallypop]

I certainly think anxiety makes it allot worse, I try and keep mine under control. However the nausea for me is almost always present though at varying degrees, sometimes it disappears for a few days, but generally all my symptoms ease at the same time. Once I know its not crohn's or another form of IBD I think I will relax but I'm still waiting after 4 months for an appointment! I certainly would rather have post viral than crohns disease, but its hard to know what's going off without seeing a specialist.

Take care x