Hello! Newbie getting stressed!!

[Rachibabi]

Hiya,

im Rachel im 22 from the midlands, and im absuolutely devistated at how my life is panning out at the minute.

in May i split from my EX and moved back home to my parents, i spent the whole month partying and getting to know the real me again.... then..

in June 2011 i was unfortuante enough to be struck down with tonsilitis and a mouth infection on the first day on a holiday in Zakynthos, Greece. As my throat had practically closed up i seeked medical attention and was given - antibiotics, anti inflamitries, anti histamines and codeine. on my return to the uk the following week i booked straight into my gp who advised i had been over-treated. as the weeks went on i was prescribed different antibiotics weekly, then started experiencing dizziness, ear infections and severe headaches. once my own GP had spent 3 months trying to treat me unsuccessfully fortnightly with antibiotics, anti-histamines antidepressants and anti inflamitries we were still getting nowhere and she thought it was PVF. with a slight push she referred me to ENT as my balance and ears were seriously playing up and i kept getting reoccuring tonsilitis. i was referred for an MRI scan which came back all clear, bar a cist in the head (which they arent bothered about). may i also add... i work for the NHS and had to take 3 months off sick - at which stage i was bed ridden and got to the stage i was getting agrophobic, my parents were getting stressed as there was nothing they could visually see or do to help me.

i eventually felt like it was all in my head, and that as it was now December it was time to see the year out with a massive party and get on with my life, that things would correct themselves.

i have recently joined the gym (again) and they are aware of the dizziness and fatigue-like symptoms. i have been going to the gym 4 days a week and completely changed my eating habbits from junk and takeaways to fruit, less carbs, no crisps/chocolate and found that i am full of energy.... but only on the days i am at the gym.

i spent the full weekend in bed watching tv this weekend due to needing a rest - and have found i am now feeling worse for it.

could anyone advise if i should go back to my gp and see if theres anything further they can do??

please note i have changed my GP practice in December so they havent run any tests etc.

[Tallypop]

Hi

I know exactly how you feel, I'm 22 also, I was under allot of stress, working really hard at uni (and my part time job), I got a virus 5months ago and have been ill since. PVF is a strange illness but I am getting better I'm pleased to say, its just a very slow process! I have found that limiting what I do keeps the symptoms at a more manageable level, I don't think personally that "pushing through it" works, when I do too much my symptoms get allot worse. Try and give your body time to heal, if your still getting symptoms maybe you should reduce your time at the gym? I watch films with friends or go to restaurants, I do lots of shopping on-line ^_^. Keeping positive is not easy, but just thinking about all the things I can do right now, and all that I will do (snowboarding) keeps me going.

Make sure you get as much support from your doctor as you can <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 />

Tally x

[isis25]

Hi Rachel, welcome to the forum!

If you've been ill since June last year then your GP should really be following the NICE Guidelines to CFS (you can google these) and looking down that route! Seeing as how you're now with a new GP I'd suggest you book an appointment with them and go through it all. They might want you to have lots of blood tests again to rule out anything else as CFS is a diagnosis of exlcusion so don't be alarmed if this is what they do. Although its great that you're managing at the gym, if you're feeling crappy on the days when you're not there then I would suggest that you take a few steps back and ease off! With this illness it can take up to 72 hours to feel the after effects of over exertion!! You know your body better than anyone else and if you're still feeling ropey then go back to GP.

Ang
x


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

[Rachibabi]

thank you for your reply. i just feel like im being a pain to the GP, i have spent all weekend in bed this weekend and feel worse for it. iv been speaking with colleagues and they think i contradict things, by wanting to up my gym regime but then going to the GP to tell him im tired, what they dont understand is its a different type of tiredness, my body feels like a dead weight and aches like mad (but not muscle ache from the gym) - does that make sense???

in the words of the song...' im sick and tired, of always being sick and tired!!'

before all of this, i was out drinking at weekends, had a great social life, could even survive on a bottle of coke a day - now i cant go without eating at all, have next to no social life and the only time i feel good is when im at the gym!

[Rachibabi]

thanks for that tally! i feel like i shouldnt be complaining as i have my whole life ahead of me, i have a job interview on friday and im really scared that a new employer wont be as understanding as my current employer, but i need to follow my career.

am i on the right lines of PVFS, tingling through your body, never feeling rested, achy all the time?

[Init1972]

if you are under the age of 26 then you can use the services on www.ayme.org.uk for FREE - it will take a lot of the leg work out for you and help with what to take to your GP etc:

"AYME(pronounced ‘aim’) is the largest charity for children and young people with ME/CFS, with over ten years of knowledge and experience about how this illness affects children and young people.

We know how important it is to have good, understanding friends, which is why AYME offers lots of friendship-supporting services like an online community, pen pals, e-mates, buddies and local get-togethers, all run by other young people with ME/CFS. They are all under 26 and have probably been through similar situations as you. Members get a bi-monthly magazine packed with young people’s news and views. You can choose to get involved or just enjoy reading and listening to what others are getting up to."

There is also www.actionforme.org.uk & www.meassociation.org.uk who (as I am <i>slightly</i> over 22 years of age!!) have been invaluable to myself and others with their wealth of Knowledge, documents, advice & help lines etc

We also have a Closed Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/107949012612338/ where you can come and chat, ask questions or if having a bad day SHOUT AT THE TOP OF YOUR VOICE - great when you have lost your voice for real! lol

Les <img src="images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="Big Grin" />
<em>edited by Init1972 on 1/18/2012</em>

[Tallypop]

I just feel "ill" most of the time, allot of nausea, fatigue, and aches everywhere! Recently nasty back ache, its a pain but I try and stay positive, after all there are so many recovery stories, why wouldn't I get better <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 /> . This is just a "blip" in my life, I wont rush recovery, but I do think it will come, hopefully by 2013 I (and you) will be 100%.
x

[Init1972]

It is so nice to have SOMEONE diagnosed with a Treatable condition!!

Thank you so much for letting us know and I wish you ALL the luck with your treatment and journey back to full health soon

Les <img src="images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="Big Grin" />

[Tallypop]

I'm pleased for you, hope you get back to normal soon <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 />
x

[Rachibabi]

thank you all <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border=0 /> i may pop in once in a while as im still suffering fatigue... and it was you guys that made me push my GP, reading all of your stories on here!! xxx