1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2 months of debilitating fatigue, dizziness and muscle aches

Posted , 5 users are following.

D286
D286

Ok guys, I need as much insight as possible. So first here's a little background. For the past year maybe longer I have been dealing with this debilitating fatigue. I work a 9-5 mon-fri, and some mornings are harder than others. I wake up ready to go back to bed and on the weekends and I'm sleeping or in the house unless I have commitments I HAVE to do/attend. I have cancelled plenty of dates, family outings and meet ups with friends just because I felt to tired to get up and go. It's crazy. So of course I thought, I'm depressed. I deal with anxiety(no panic attacks) just get worked up at times and I was like ok, it's gotta be depression now. I don't think so...and here's why. So I realized when I don't feel any type of pain in my body...IM ABSOLUTELY FINE! If there's no nagging headache, upper back pain or muscle aches...I'm fine and myself. But any of those feelings and I'm ready for bed at 1pm. My PCP wanted to put me on meds for anxiety but I refused. I took Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and felt like a zombie and quit. I wanted to go the holistic route. So I found vitamins to take to help. I started on St. John's wort. It worked great. I was still having trouble getting out of the house on the weekends but during the week I was able to focus at work and was getting out again and not rushing straight home to hop in bed. So then it happened. The symptoms that have me here. One afternoon I was at work and I started getting these dizzy spells. When they would come on I wouldn't barely be able to walk(left arm and leg became numb), I couldn't keep my eyes open and they would last about 15-20secs then go away. Then the next morning other symptoms like extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, pressure behind my head, brain fog, headaches, digestive issues, etc followed. I had no idea what was happening to me and was terrified. I remember when it was really bad I would be so lightheaded and dizzy I couldn't sleep and sat at the edge of the bed for hours just crying. I've had MRI's done(no tumors or ms), numerous blood tests (thyroid, vitamin levels etc all normal), checked for auto immune diseases and have seen and spent so much money on specialists, Dr's visits, meds and still have no diagnosis and am 2 months in now. I also have had some of the most inconsiderate doctors I've ever seen. So of course this doesn't help. I have some ok days NOW (thank God) where I can function almost like normal but because of the fatigue and dizziness, I spend a lot of time in bed. Stopped working b/c I couldn't focus and was tired all of the time. I'm looking for answers guys. Dr's aren't much help and I don't know what to do. Anyone?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • karen94114
    karen94114 D286

    Posted

    Hi D286,

    Really sorry to hear you are suffering like this. Your symptoms sound very similar to what I have been experiencing. I have been off work since October last year (I managed to return to work briefly in Jan/feb this year before my symptoms flared up again). I was diagnosed with Post Viral Fatigue. My Dr seemed happy just to sign me off and not take it any further after my blood tests all came back clear. One Dr said there was nothing more medically they could do for me and that he would be happy to sign me off for as long as I needed. That just said to me I was on my own. I felt totally adrift. I then read articles and forums on the internet and contacted some organisations like EdMesh, who were really helpful and offered some good advice. On the back of this I went back to my Dr and asked to be referred to a consultant specialist at the Western General (I am in Scotland) and the ME/CFS support unit at the Astley Ainslie in Edinburgh. I have also started taking supplements - Manesium, B3, Ubiquinol COQ10, vitamin D. I think as far as supplements go, its a matter of trial and error and as I have only just started taking them I can't really say if they are working.

    My Dr is still writing I have Post Viral Fatigue on my sick line after 8 months, although she has added I am under investigation for CFS as I asked her to do this so my work would know what was happening. Unfortunately, at my last appointment, she said it would not be possible to refer me on to The Western General as all my bloods were normal,and the criteria for a referal is that there is an anomoly in your bloods, i.e an infectious disease or HIV.

    Although this has been affecting me at the moment for the past 8 months, this is something that has been ongoing for a number of years, with me having substantial time off work in 2015 and 2014. It is frustrating that I feel I am having to pursue a proper diagnosis and that there seems to be such a vagueness/confusion and lack of understanding from medical professionals. I feel like I am the one leading my care with the Dr. Its me suggesting I try suppliments, its me suggesting I should be referred, its me suggesting I could have CFS... I seem to know more about it than my Dr! Sorry, rant over. Its just so frustrating at times!!

    I guess what I'm trying to say is that you need to research your illness yourself, find what support is available in your area, try supplements and see what works for you, and persevere! Good luck!

  • littleme1969
    littleme1969 D286

    Posted

    Hi.. first off you can get a period of what is called Chronic Fatigue after a viral illness etc.. it can last anything from a few weeks to 6 months and sometimes a year. This does spontaneously clear up by itself with no treatment.  Its only called Chronic Fatigue syndrome when it goes on past 6 months which is why you’re not getting any real help from the doctors. They wont tend to consider CFS until you’ve been ill past 6 months as thats their given criteria .  

    You mention dizziness alot which tends me to think of POTS rather than CFS.. to be fair most alot of People with CFS have POts i think its about 50% but alot are undiagnosed as its even less known about than CFS. Pots is easy to test for.. Look up Poor Mans Tilt Table Test on the web and buy yourself one of them pulse oximeters that way you can rule it in or out.   Sadly if its CFS or POTS the road is not a good one.. its really hard to get diagnosed and the treatment .. well lets say they know so little about them that there is little to no treatment available only management of your symptoms.  Sorry i cant paint a happier picture for you.

  • KPD
    KPD D286

    Posted

    I understand how you feel. I can relate to many of your symtoms. I have days when I feel O.K and can function about 75% of what I used to before I had CFS. But some days, I feel so terrible, I can barely get myself out of bed. My symptoms include severe fatigue, brain fog, stiffness of the neck, headaches, and dizziness. Most doctors are clueless and are not able to help much because all of our lab work is normal. That is what makes this condition so frustrating. I cope by trying to get proper sleep, trying to reduce stress, and pacing myself. I only do what I have to do and am very selective when it comes to doing things socially with friends and family. I hope you can at least find a doctor that has a good understanding about CFS/ME. Good luck! KPD
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.