Episodes of CFS Symptoms 60+?
Posted , 11 users are following.
Hi everyone, first post here as I try to do some research on behalf of my dad.
For the last 10 years or so, my dad (late 60s) has suffered with debilitating episodes of flu like symptoms and extreme tiredness. Typically lasting 1, 2 or even into 3 weeks. The flu symptoms are typically quite mild (cough, soar through, head aches); however, the extreme tiredness is very debilitating. Restricting him to bed for most of the day. A short walk to the shop meaning he needs to sleep for the rest of the day. In between the episodes there have been quite long periods where he hasn't seemed to be affected.
The consensus initially was that it was being caused by an underlying virus or infection. GPs have issued many courses of antibiotics and specialists have done all the test for rare/tropical viruses etc. For a time an improvement was seen using a saline nasal nasal douche - I believe suggesting an underlying infection in the sinuses? However, after a period of wellness the regular boughs have returned. With him most recently being pretty much bed ridden for around 3 weeks.
Reason for posting here is that we seem to have reached a point where the doctors have run out of ideas. There's no more tests to do and no treatments to suggest. I don't have first had experience of CFS and I read that it typically affects people at a younger age; however, I wanted to see if others have experienced similar symptoms coming later in life and periodically.
I may be way off the mark here, but just looking for anything to give my dad (and mum) a path forward. Great to see this forum for people to share and all the best to everyone.
Many thanks.
0 likes, 17 replies
jackie00198 M2940
Posted
Unfortunately, ME/CFS is an equal opportunity disease, and can strike at any age. I became ill at 55. It really does sound like your father has this illness. A huge red flag is that after a short walk he needs to sleep for the rest of the day. This is known as "post-exertional malaise or fatigue," and is a hallmark of ME/CFS. ME/CFS is a spectrum disease, so people can have many different levels of function. About 10% of us can work full-time. About 25% are quite severely ill, and are bedridden or housebound (I'm in that category). There is currently no cure for ME/CFS. It's important for your father to try to stay within his energy envelope and not push to where he gets ill or fatigued. This can be done by pacing. There is some good information on the "solve me/cfs initiative" website. Your father is very lucky to have you supporting him.
janet71271 jackie00198
Posted