Immune system represssed?
Posted , 7 users are following.
I had quite a brutal flu like virus for 3 months last year, and 6 months later started developing CFS like symptoms. Ive been suffering for 5-6 months now and have recently been referred to a CFS specialist clinic.
My main symptoms are energy crashes, fatigue, prickly heat in arms, general feeling unwell, temperature regulation issues, tender head and hair loss. I can go 2/3 weeks without symptoms but always seem to relapse, i am hopeful that in time my body will recover.
Just wondering if anyone has felt there immune system was pushing away illnesses during CFS. Before i experienced CFS i used to regularly get flu and colds, yet I have not suffered from any flu/cold symptom for nearly a year now. In some ways this is good, but i cant help feeling that in some way my body might be suppressing things, has anyone else had this?
2 likes, 7 replies
GeorgiaS eleanor12697
Posted
Yes, it seems as though my body is fighting a cold or flu virus sometimes because I'll get the symptoms over and above the normal flu like symptoms of ME, earache, sore throat etc but I'll only have them for perhaps half a day or a day and then they go.
If we already have a virus or viruses in our bodies, such as Epstein Barr, perhaps our immune systems detect the new virus briefly or don't detect it at all, and then it loses it amongst the others? Just a guess.
eleanor12697 GeorgiaS
Posted
Glad to know it's not just me, exactly the same as me sometimes I get the odd sore throat / sniffle but it's for a day or half a day at most.
I was told I might have glandular fever but tested negative but assume some kind of hideous virus in my system!
I might raise it at the fatigue clinic!
GeorgiaS eleanor12697
Posted
Yes that's a good idea to raise it. All the best with the clinic. I hope they don't advise CBT and graded exercise therapy because CBT assumes it's all in the mind and GET can cause, often severe, damage and relapse.
I was taught pacing and gentle Yoga I can do on the bed by OTs after my diagnosis.
jackie00198 eleanor12697
Posted
Yes, definitely. Before getting ME/CFS, I'd get the flu and colds at least once a year. No any more. My specialist says it's because in ME/CFS, the immune system is "upregulated."
eleanor12697 jackie00198
Posted
That's an interesting term and definitely makes sense, I haven't had any kind of flu/cold for a year now, but can't help thinking I'd sacrifice the occasional cold and flu to get rid of CFS!
clivealive eleanor12697
Posted
Your main symptoms of "energy crashes, fatigue, prickly heat in arms, general feeling unwell", may be the result of a Vitamin B12 deficiency which can be linked to CFS.
I'm not a medically trained person but I would suggst you ask your doctor to test your serum B12 and Folate levels if for nothing else but to eliminate them as a cause.
dee53012 eleanor12697
Posted
You'd think we'd get sicker! Maybe it's because we are already resting and drinking plenty of fluids~~hard to get much sicker without actially dying. guess it's not our time
I wish there were a scientist here that could explain it.