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Flu and CFS?

Posted , 3 users are following.

stacey14592
stacey14592

Started a few days ago but today is the worst.

I have General CFS pain but my bones are agony and my skin hurts when anything touches it.

Has anyone experienced the flu during chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • emma679
    emma679 stacey14592

    Posted

    Hi Stacey, yes I have had flu during CFS probably 3 times and am currently recovering from it now. It generally hits me harder than a normal person and takes longer for me to recover too. I think the pain you describe is likely due to the flu and will go once you get over it. Rest up and let your body do its thing. Get well soon.
    • stacey14592
      stacey14592 emma679

      Posted

      Hi Emma, after a lot of brain fog I've managed to describe the pain like this to a friend

      "It's like my bones are being hit by a hammer while being on fire and my muscles are being blown up and burst like balloons, and my nerves are sharp wires that keep snapping and my skins is covered in millions of needles that are on fire"

      Woke up from a nap and didn't have a clue what was going on, asked my mum to get me some juice from the shop for example and my sister came in what felt like half a second later, they all laughed and said I must have fallen asleep again but I honestly couldn't get over how quickly it took, which in reality was about 20 mins- 1 hour.

      I know people recover differently but do you think I would be fit for work again in 6 days?

      I started with a big flare last Sunday and from then I pushed myself through work, was signed off on the Thursday and since I got to bed I've just felt worse every second

      Thank you for your reply! X

    • emma679
      emma679 stacey14592

      Posted

      Hi Stacey, wow that does not sound nice, but I have experienced horrible symptoms with this flu and have done in the past too - numb hands, feet and legs and very painful leg muscles. I haven't had sore skin this time but in the past it has become so sensitive to touch when I've had flu. I have read that the pain is caused by interleukins and cytokines released by white cells as part of the immune response which is the case for anyone, but I think that in CFS the immune response can be changed which possibly explains the severity of pain. I don't know the definitive reason but these weird symptoms go when the flu goes in my experience. As for how long it will take you to be fit for work I couldn't say as we are all different but don't go back ill or you will slow your recovery. I normally take 2 weeks to get over a heavy cold and some weeks to get over proper flu, but as I said we are all different. Drink lots of water to flush out the toxins and stay hydrated.
    • stacey14592
      stacey14592 emma679

      Posted

      Thanks Emma! I remember having the flu when I was about 13 and it was the worst illness id ever experienced, I was tested for so much stuff and then I had it again when I was 15 but I don't think the pain was as bad (my memory isn't great) I remember being off school for two weeks and hadn't eaten in 11 days. Didn't have CFS then, the symptoms for CFS started between the summer of me being 16.

      My doctor was a bit of a waste of space the other day apart from booking me in for bloods on Monday but there is absolutely no way I will go back to work until I'm 110% better because I work with disabled people and I won't be able to cope with the work load and it's not fair on them either.

      I think I will see how I feel by Tuesday and if I still feel weak then I will get another sick line because I am expected back on Thursday

      Thanks again for your advice, I was struggling to find anything online about having the flu while having CFS! I thought I was going mad.

      X

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