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I'm not sure what is going on. Do I have post Viral Infection, will it ever go away?

Posted , 6 users are following.

joe88456
joe88456

24/m 6'0 160. Rather health lifestyle, like to eat well, don't smoke, drink only when going out, haven't now for a over a month.

Dating back to mid February (around 2/13) I was diagnosed with strep throat. I had no fever, no sore throat, no swollen lymph nodes. I had a wicked headache and moderate ear ache on the left side only. Turned out to be positive for strep throat. First round was amoxiclin, still had it after so took augmentin next, 20 day straight of antibiotics to get rid of it.

First red flag happened 2/28 after starting my dose of augmentin. I had a shoulder rash (non itchy, no pain) on the left side after a shower. It scared me, I thought it was something serious, I got pretty stressed and anxiety was running high. Then for the next few weeks, I felt my tongue was thrushy (scared me again) and had some acid reflux in the back but no heartburn and a bit nauseated. During this time I was also having abnormal bowels, they seemed a lot looser and diarrhea like but not diarrhea. I later connected this all to post nasal drip (I think at least, seemed like the perfect explanation) it took about 3 weeks, but it went away and appetite fully restored, bowels normal, tongue normal.

During this time I was still getting intermittent rashes, if it happened after a shower it always affected my left shoulder, and at other times I would get little red dots show up and disappear always on my left/right arm/shoulder. Again no itch, no feel. I went to a dermatologist exactly a week ago and he said they are mild urticaria, immune system cells acting up, nothing to worry about. Relieving, but still the first time this has ever happened to me and still going on way after being sick/taking treatment. They have definitely come less and less lately and it might even be a week now since I have last experienced it.

But now we move onto something new. For the past month or so, I've had a pins and needles feeling in my calves, and top of feet. Seems to happen most often when I'm just waking up, and would go away quickly, so something I kind of ignored. Now about two weeks ago, my left arm would start to feel like it is going through an episode where it went asleep and is coming out of it but not quite there. Feels like circulation has been cut off, like when you get your BP taken. Feels dead/light but I can still move it around, no mobility loss or something. It does not hurt necessarily but it is quite an unnerving/scary feeling. It occurs halfway down the bicep, around the elbow, and on the forward (all on the bottom/inside part of arm) and extends to the pinky and ring finger. A much milder case happens on the right side and also extends to pinky/ring finger. I've also been experiencing headaches on the left side that are like 50% of what I experienced during strep throat for quite some time now that come and go, but now seem to be around a lot more.

I thought I was having a stroke or TIA, I got a CT scan without contrast, showed fluid on the left side. Was told nothing major came up (but reading online it says TIA's wouldn't show anyway?) When these episodes happen on the left side, I feel fine in all other respects besides the linger headache, I can speak, read, vision through one eye at a time, hop on one foot, do pull ups. Function normally... But these are what is scaring me the most, as well with my headache coming around more often.

I had my blood drawn, urine sample. I didn't really get a full explanation but was told nothing came up to be concerned about, they said it was perfect. Had this CT scan done on the left sinus, and left brain, where the headaches are. They did not use contrast but again just said some fluid showed up nothing major. Been to the doctor quite a few times, thought haven't been since the arm tingling came to be a major concern but have had my BP/pulse taken. It has always been what they say perfect though l believe I see the numbers around 130/70. Pulse is normal around 70 and blood oxygen was 99 then 96. I have not had a fever one day dating back to the time I had strep, though some times my head feels hot, my temp is normal. Also while my left nostril seems to bleed/become bloody snot a lot easier, never any congestion/runny nose through out this.

I'm reading things online about my symptoms. Obviously the left arm, and left side headache are quite scary. They all yield some terrifying results, but so far on paper I seem to be good. Recently came across a forum of someone complaining about post viral infection, and described a lot of my symptoms. While I don't feel fatigue, I feel like I'd rather sleep a lot more than I should though, I cant even make my self fall asleep nor stay in bed past 8 hours. Something is not right with me though, every time I have gotten over one scare another is popping up. I have another doctors appt later this week but I don't even know what they can tell me anymore.

Sorry for the long post, does any of this make sense to people. I don't know what to do with my self anymore, I felt like I was in the best shape of my life and feeling great 2.5 months ago now my body is failing me.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 joe88456

    Posted

    Hi, Joe. So sorry you're having to deal with all these scary symptoms. Here are some of the major symptoms of ME/CFS: unrelenting fatigue, way beyond the norm; post-exertional fatigue, that comes after the simplest of tasks (for instance, after I shower, I have to lie down for 1/2 hour); cognitive problems, like short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating; orthostatic intolerance; and unrefreshing sleep (no matter how long you sleep, you wake up feeling like you haven't slept). Many other symptoms are possible, but these are the big red flags. You can also go on the "solve ME/CFS initiative" website for more information. Your symptoms can happen with ME/CFS, but then again, they can happen with other medical conditions, as well. But without the core symptom of fatigue, it would be hard to believe you have this illness. An infectious disease doctor or rheumatologist might be able to advise you about your symptoms and ME/CFS.
    • joe88456
      joe88456 jackie00198

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply and sorry you have to deal with ME/CFS. As you know, it is rather hard to explain but reading post on here, seem to be the most relative to me. All I want to do is sleep because I have a general feeling of being unwell but I would say I am fatigued. Ironically, I feel better when I get more active, but in my mind I dont want to do anything. It is so hard to explain all of this, my most concerning symptom is the arm tingling which was just on one side and now is on the other too. Funnily enough, given my past month this might be a good sign or it might be a horrible sign. I don't know what to tell the doctor anymore because something new pops up each time and like I said, on paper I'm fine. 

      Sorry for ranting, thank you for your reply/comfort. It does help. I still have hope that I'll wake up one and everything will be back to normal. It is a revolving door of symptoms that could range from a silly problem to something very serious. I just wish there were more certain answers.

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 joe88456

      Posted

      Sometimes symptoms of many conditions can resolve over time. I hope that happens for you. If you feel better when you get more active, though, that's the opposite of what happens with ME/CFS. I assume you've researched the side effects of amoxcyclin and augmentin.
    • joe88456
      joe88456 jackie00198

      Posted

      Yes it helps me a bit, but not completely. Could be due to my mind not giving it full attention though. I have and the dermatologist said it could be in part due to the pills I took but that was close to 50 days ago now. Again thanks for your reply/concern. 
  • Mo323232
    Mo323232 joe88456

    Posted

    Hi Joe, this must be pretty scary for you.  The thing about Chronic Fatigue syndrome is that it seems to affect people in a variety of ways - perhaps as many as the people who experience it.  This is what my doctor has told me recently.  I've had this condition a long time now and have gone through different phases, different symptoms over time.  Many of yours sounds very familiar indeed - the awful headache, sinus trouble, rashes, bowel trouble, bloody discharge from nose and the tingling.  Over the years I've had just about every test going always with inconclusive results.  Initially I was so scared of having a neurological disease or something else equally bad.  And it's important to rule out things which may need treatment.  So my advice to you is definitely in these early stages get everything possible checked out and if possible see if you can get access to someone who understands CF or if not at least a sympathetic consultant who will listen to you.  And in the meantime - and this is important - I would advise you listen well to what your body is telling you it needs at this time.  You may not feel fatigue - I did for many years but no longer do - but your body needs rest and time to recuperate after episodes.  And even if you were not stressed before then I bet you are now and that needs to be dealt with too.  You need  look after yourself really well in the challenging situation you find yourself in and in particular find wayss in which you can find calmness and rest for your body and mind so that the stress of the situation does not start to feed the fire of all the other problems your body has right now.  If you can find other people to support you then so much the better.  It's generally thought now that the sooner your body gets the chance to recover from the initial onset the better your chances of recovery.  I wish you all the very best for that recovery.
  • Izzie_Lizzie
    Izzie_Lizzie joe88456

    Posted

    Hi Joe,

    so so sorry to hear about your struggles....

    As I read your post I wondered if you had tests for MS?  I think the tingling persisting in your arm for instance sounds more like MS.  The last thing I want to do is alarm you though but am sure your just desperate for a proper diagnosis by now...

    Hope you get answers very soon, all the best

  • agentdove
    agentdove joe88456

    Posted

    Hi Joe,

    The symptoms you discrided are constant with inflammation or displacement in the upper back and/or neck....except the rashes. Obviously your body will still be trying to recover from your illness and this would lead to the disruption of sleep and digestive conditions you discrided. It may be worth seeing a chiropractor or sports massage therapist to see if that works. I am very anti drugs. Alternatively a course of anti inflammation drugs may help? This would need to be disused with your GP. From what you are explaining it is not A typical of ME/CFS however that is not to say it could not progress into this. I wish you well and hope you find some relefe soon x

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