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Constantly tired and run down. Is it CFS?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Poppy1504
Poppy1504

Hi there.

I have been constantly tired and run down foraround 8 months.  I have been back and forth to the doctors - and had loads of blood tests which all come back fine - so I just keep being told "it's just one of those things".  Here are my symptoms:

Tiredness

Not feeling refreshed after sleep

Painful lymph nodes (sometimes swollen)

Backache

Headaches

General muscle ache

Disturbed sleep

Aching joints

Complete lack of energy

Recurrent coldsores (which I only used to get when I was run down)

Get burned out by the slightest physical exertion

I eat well and drink plenty.  I walk to and from work so get some exercise.  I don't burn the candle both ends and I rarely drink alcohol.  I take vitamins and generally look after myself, but nothing is making me feel better, if anything I feel like it's getting worse by the day.  The last year or so has been quite demanding - both physically and mentally - but my health is making me quite depressed, so it's a bit of a vicious circle.

From what I've read online, my symptoms fit with CFS.  Is this something I should raise with my GP?  I have a number of chronic illnesses (none of them serious) and I don't want them to think me a hypochondriac.  I just know I can't go on like this.  I'm getting to the point where I'm scared to do anything as the slightest pysical exertion seems to make me ten times worse.

Any advice gratefully received.  If there are any self-help things I can do, please let me know.  I really want to start feeling better.

Thanks.

Poppy x

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • dlp12
    dlp12 Poppy1504

    Posted

    Hi poppy,

    I am also looking for a diagnosis and have been referred to a specialist CFS clinic after 3 yrs of unexplained illness. I was interested when you mentioned cold sores. Have you been tested for the Epstein Barr virus? I recently had blood confirm that this virus is active in my blood yet my immune system is not responding properly (would be glandular fever).

    Epstein Barr is part of the herpes family and responsible for cold sores.

    I have been made to feel like a hypochondriac also on my visits to the gp and negative test results from scans & bloods. It was not until I came across this site & recognised similarities of my symptoms that I asked my GP they looked back at my records and then agreed.

    I want a diagnosis to help me learn more about this complex illness and try and aid recovery.

    I suffer more mental fatigue feeling wonky but also cold sores on my nose, permanent sore throat as well as mild muscle aches. Such a range of symptoms.

    I wish you all the best in getting to the bottom of what is wrong with you

  • dlp12
    dlp12 Poppy1504

    Posted

    Apologies for writing twice something went wrong with my phone and i didn't think it had worked... U can see how much I wanted to share though writing that lot twice 😉
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