BEAR on 23/3/2006 at 21:31
I think I remember reading on ttlg that a few of you have been diagnosed with CFS, I was wondering what your experiences might be with that. I was reading lately in new scientst about a study done that was finding that people were suffering from CFS after recovering from a bad viral infection, the CFS being the result of minor brain damage or somthing. If you have it, when did you get it and what were the beginning symtoms?
ilweran on 23/3/2006 at 22:12
I was diagnosed as having Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome when I was 15 after having glandular fever. I'd been ill a lot, getting one virus infection after another, so it's difficult to say what most of the symptoms were like at first, except fo the complete exhaustion. It was like running into a brick wall, I was mostly ok, being a teenager, studying for my mock GCSE's, wanting to be allowed out with my friends more, then suddenly no energy & when my friends came round begging my mum to not let me go out because I was too tired.
Later on I could identify other symptoms- tender, sore muscles- my sister used to grab me by the arm, not particularly hard & nothing that would hurt now, and it would be so painful.
I was cold all the time, would get blurred vision, nausea, insomnia, I couldn't wear purfume or nail varnish because the chemicals made me feel worse.
My balance, concentration and short-term memory were effected- until I understood what was happening I was scared it was a brain tumour or something equally horrible.
I couldn't really go out alone, because I might seem ok but could go downhill very quickly- I'd go very 'grey' looking and, I don't know how to describe it but some people describe it as 'brain fog'. I don't think I would have been capable of getting myself home on my own.
I started getting better when I was around 20-21, & have been mostly ok since although there have been a few worrying times when I've started to feel ill in a PVFS/CFS way.
The worst long-term effect of the whole thing was probably that when I'd recovered enough to get a job my social sklls were awful. I missed out on a lot of the socialising & fun that teenagers have, and that are one of the ways you learn about interacting with people and are also a way of developing independence from your family. Then I got a job in a shop & had a bit of a crash course in all that- I hated the job, but in the long run it's probably done me good.
Hope that answers your question :cheeky:
BEAR on 23/3/2006 at 22:27
Shit...
The reason I asked actually is because I got sick at the beginning of this school semester with a virus or somthing, was sick and vomiting for like 4 weeks or so, but ever since then Ive been majorly fucked up. It sounds remarkably like what you describe, Im not sure if its that bad or not. I had no idea what it was, but my dad read the thing in the new scientist and called me about it, sounds pretty similar. The thing that sucks balls is this is my final semester of college (community college, but still not that easy) and I had just gotten a new job right before I got sick, but only 5 weeks of classes left to go =)
That was actually exactly what they had found, it was after a glandular fever that they found this, I dont know if thats what I had or not, I did have a fever some of the time but my temperature was actually sub-normal during most of it. I did freeze my ass off though.
Kind of reassuring though, I guess this isnt unprecidented. Sounds like you had a worse time of it, Ive had a few bad nights but I've still been able to go to work and school (although I usually feel like Im about to pass out by the time I get home ;) ). Im lucky though, when I dont feel going to where my friends are, my brother will just come get my ass since he's been driving me around for years when I didnt have a car, and I live with another friend so I dont have to do much.
Were there any treatments? The only thing I know to do when I feel bad is sit in a hot tub and go to the gym and drink lots of water, none of which have done much for this so Ive been at a loss. If that is indeed it, that would take a great weight off my mind, I dont want to have to do anything about it anyways so if theres nothing TO do about it all the better. I just have some championship ass-laying planned for the summer.
Scots Taffer on 23/3/2006 at 23:06
Ladies and gentlemen, Sypha Mark II.
Ultraviolet on 23/3/2006 at 23:16
There must be dietary supplements for this.
thefonz on 23/3/2006 at 23:18
Quote Posted by Ultraviolet
There must be dietary supplements for this.
and if there isnt a comic strip online somewhere about this, then i want my goddamn money back...
BEAR on 24/3/2006 at 00:03
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
Ladies and gentlemen, Sypha Mark II.
I think you rate me to highly =)
MsLedd on 24/3/2006 at 03:21
Quote Posted by Ultraviolet
There must be dietary supplements for this.
Yep, amphetamines.
ilweran on 24/3/2006 at 12:40
Quote Posted by BEAR
Were there any treatments? The only thing I know to do when I feel bad is sit in a hot tub and go to the gym and drink lots of water, none of which have done much for this so Ive been at a loss. If that is indeed it, that would take a great weight off my mind, I dont want to have to do anything about it anyways so if theres nothing TO do about it all the better. I just have some championship ass-laying planned for the summer.
Im not up-to-date on more recent treatments, but the basic thing when I was ill was not to overdo things- ie listen to your body, if it tells you you need to rest, then you rest. And try to eat healthily.
Evening Primrose oil was supposed to be helpful & I took a muliti-vitamin & mineral supplement. Relaxation techniques & aromatherapy helped a bit.
I also took SSRI anti-depressants, they were supposed to help, but at normal doses the side-effects were horrible so I decided to only take a half dose. I have no idea if that helped, but I did hear that anti-depressants could help at low doses- unfortunately at doses that doctors said couldn't have an effect.
And some people can be very ill with CFS- completely bedridden, with such intolerence to light & sound that the room has to be dark & quiet.
