Is it normal to keep having relapses
Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi everyone,its 14 months since I first got gf and im on my 4 th relapse,the last one in March was very severe and put me in bed for 6 weeks,last few weeks I thought it might be gone at last but no its floored me again,i knew something was happening as I slept all day on and off last Sat and Sun,and now have all the usual symptoms,aching,dizzy,can hardly stand,very fatigued headache etc and also the dreadful anxiety,i get it everytime and as I start recovering again that goes away,im just so sick of it now,its neverending and really starting to worry me,i cant live my life like this,constantly ill,how can a virus do this to you,i already have ME/CFS too which I can cope with but I cant cope with this,it feels like I might die,i know that sounds very dramatic but that's how bad I feel,gonna phone my gp tomorrow and have a word with her,too ill to get to surgery,i know she will say theres not much they can do !!! thanks for listening
1 like, 32 replies
lisa29739 diane83287
Posted
Have you tried an antiviral medication? I did it in January and while I wasn’t on it long enough to totally recover- I felt way better than I do now. So I’m just going back on it for three months. I didn’t have any side effects from it.
Hang in there!
diane83287
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craig07920 diane83287
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Hi Diane,
So sorry to hear about this terrible time you have still been going through. I don't think in the least you sound dramatic or anything like that, I can only empathise knowing how badly the virus affected me too and how weary and depressed and frightened it got me. I really hope this relapse settles, my experience was that into the second year of the virus I was definitely improving but still not my old self and I did have periods of relapse similar to what you describe, but they lasted less each time and things over a period did gradually get better and stronger.
I just really hope and pray that things get better Diane, I believe in God and believe that He is going to help you and get you through this. So sorry you've also been dealing with this on top of CFS. Have you found any vitamins or herbs that has helped you? For energy levels and fatigue, certainly a good strong multi-vitamin per day, B100 complex (excellent for fatigue and nervous system) and co-enzyme Q10 can help. Worth looking into others too, making sure getting plenty of Vitamin C (1000mg-3000mg per day - I also read another post of something talking about research about REALLY high doses of Vitamin C helping people with mono), and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng, oregano, echinicea. Sometimes even trial and error just to see if anything works good for you, if there is any herbalist or naturopath or anything local may be worth seeing too.
Another good therapy that has helped me with so many ailments over so many years has been Bowen Therapy. It is very safe and non evasive, it can help with energy levels and pain and general health and specific conditions - can maybe be about £30-40 (UK money) per session, but would highly recommend it as worth a try, worth seeing if any practitioners close to you.
Thinking about you Diane and still believing that you are going to get better thanks to God's intervention - hang in there and do let us know how things are going and just cope with one day at a time, don't look far ahead, is all you can do and remember you are going to get through this, I do believe that.
Craig
diane83287
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Thank you Craig for your encouraging repl as usual,i hope you are keeping well ? ive spoke to my GP on phone this afternoon as im laid up and she said it sounds very likely that its the same virus ebv and with me having an ongoing condition ME it will make me feel a lot worse than anyone else,shes arranging for district nurse to come out and do some more blood tests next week,also said that I might have another relapse yet again but hopefully they will get further apart,ive never known anything like this Craig,its absolutely brutal,to go from feeling ok on Frid to back to bed and laid low is ridiculous,been taking all my vitamins aswell,got some Vit B 100 like you said and I think they do help a bit and I got some Liposomal vit C,very expensive but worth it if it works,id also been taking the olive leaf extract tincture but got a bit lax with it and kept forgetting to take it,back on it now !! I really thought I had kicked it into touch,so soul destroying xx
craig07920 diane83287
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Hi Diane,
Thanks for the message I'm just so sorry you have been suffering like this, it is so hard I know I just pray for things to be settled and move in the right direction for you soon. I've been feeling a bit unsettled myself with my own pain, prostatitis and back pain recently, which has got me so down and in the last few days felt like pain has got worse and that really panics me and overwhelms me, I hate that horrible sinking feeling it brings on and I just want you to know I'm thinking about you Diane and praying that God has mercy on us and brings us through these challenges. Hope these blood tests and the appointment with the nurse goes okay, let us know how you get on and thinking about you xx
Craig
diane83287 craig07920
Posted
Aw Craig im really sorry to hear you have been struggling like this,i really hope it leaves you soon and you can get some relief from that pain and feel like yourself again,sometimes things have to get worse before they get better and im sure you will make a good recovery,will say a healing prayer for you,and know that I am thinking about you too... well im in bed and the nurse has been earlier today and done my bloods so lets see what they bring,probably say everything is ok and im so utterly ill !! the nurse herself had glandular fever 5 years ago and said it was horrid and she had to take a month off work but still wasn't right for a long time after she went back,up and down,she was shocked when I said this was the 4th bout of it since last June (14 months ago) she didn't think you could get it again !! I know Craig that you say you can keep getting relapses and they shouldn't be as bad as the original infection but mine seem to be as bad as at the beginning,well the acute symptoms now feel that way,its just like been floored with the flu,it starts making you worry dosent it as though your body is letting you down and theres something sinister going on,just taking one day at a time and resting as I cant do anything else and hoping and praying for the best,take care Craig and lots of love xxx
craig07920 diane83287
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Oh Diane I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling so bad, this few days for me has been terrible as my pain has got worse and just feeling overwhelmed and panicked and not sure I can keep going if the pain is to be so bad. I'm so grateful for your prayer for me Diane, it means everything. I will say a prayer for you too Diane. I'm struggling to hang on right now really need God's help more than ever, I believe He is a loving father and hears our cries and will help us Diane.
It's awful what you've had to go through I can't imagine the pain and suffering over such a long period, all I just pray for is a breakthrough in your situation and that God brings His healing and protective hand over us today.
Thinking of you and lots of love too,
Craig xx
brent_83487 craig07920
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diane83287 craig07920
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Hi Craig how are you doing,just praying your pain has eased some for you,i really wish it would go altogether for you,keep chatting on here,wish I could help you somehow,just know that ive been thinking about you,i know a few months into this glandular fever last year,i had the most horrific back pain,one night it was so severe I considered calling paramedics out,it was taking my breath and unbearable,worst than been in labour!! couldn't get any relief from it at all couldn't even keep in one position or find a position where it would just ease off for 5mins,i was off my head with the pain,it had been going on for about a month continuous by then,but this night it was at its worst,i remember just clutching my pillow and saying the Lords prayer over and over agin,it was all I could think to do,i think it was the glandular fever attacking me as it did the same some months earlier in my neck,anyway it miraculously disappeared as though it had never been!! same with my neck,i don't know whats causing your back pain Craig but you must be really sick of it now,but hang in there,because something will eventually shift and it will get better,let us know how your getting on,healing and love coming your way xx
diane83287 craig07920
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Craig if you are still in such severe pain as that phone someone out or go up to hospital if at all possible,you need some proper pain relief and shouldn't have to suffer like that,i can almost feel it for you,if it ever happens to me like that again I wont suffer in silence like I did,please dear Lord give our friend Craig relief from his pain,Amen,xxx
craig07920 brent_83487
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Thank you so much Brent. Your prayers mean everything to me. I know you've been through the most terrible lows and suffering and know what it's like to experience that. I'm just glad you have had some improvement and really hope things are getting better for you over time still - I still believe you're going to be 100% or as near as again.
Having a very tough week and just feeling a bit broken with extra pain I've developed, so I'm so grateful for your prayers - I need God more than ever right now and people have been so kind to pray for and help me and it means so much to me. I'm praying for you too Brent and please do keep in touch.
Craig
craig07920 diane83287
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Thank you Diane,
I know your suffering has been much more than mine, what you described that you went through there sounds like the most terrifying and painful experience, I can only imagine how you must have been feeling and how deep a low that must have been. Amazing that God healed that pain for you, He does answer prayers Diane I know that for sure, He's answered all my prayers over the years and I'm so fortunate and just praying that He has mercy on me to help me through the pain and time I'm going through right now and that there can be hope and healing ahead for all of us on the forum.
Diane I am definitely keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Your prayers for me mean so much they really do. The fact you've taken the time to help me and others despite this awful time you have been going through yourself shines the goodness and the light in you. God sees that and I do believe there is hope and that you are going to get better again Diane. I pray our Lord Jesus that you would heal our friend Diane, she has been through such suffering and hardship over many years, please have mercy on her and please get her through everything she is going through right now and bring her back to full health again, please take her pain and illness full away, in Jesus' name, Amen.
I do admit I'm not very good at handling pain Diane, been very emotional and distressed just at the whole situation I've been in in my life for some time now. I know I could have handled things so much better, have burdened my family and friends a lot and been selfish, wish I wasn't like that and could show more strength and courage the way I see so many people on here showing each day. Praying for God to help us all today.
Thinking of you and believing God will lead you out of your situation Diane, praying for His intervention and help. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, hope and support - they mean everything to me right now.
Craig xx
KS2017 craig07920
Posted
Oh Craig, I am so sorry to hear that you have been suffering so much. I have been praying for you and pray that you find relief soon and that you start to notice a real improvement in your symptoms and pain and that you will be completely healed. I saw a quote yesterday that may help offer some insight at this really awful time which is "life must be lived forwards but can only be understood backwards" - Kierkegaard.
I hope that soon this is just a memory for you and that once you are pain free that you are able to reflect on the experience and that it will hold some greater meaning or life lesson for you in the greater context of things.
Please keep talking to us on here. I will continue to pray for your healing. Thinking of you xo
diane83287 craig07920
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Thank you Craig,i don't believe for one minute you are burdening your family and friends,your just reaching out in the vulnerable situation you are in and you need that help and support,you cant help been in pain like that so please don't beat yourself up about it,you have helped so many of us,pain like that drags you down,its got to get better Craig it just has to,and it will,keeping you in my thoughts,keep in touch xx
youngboy238 craig07920
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lisa29739 craig07920
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I remember my brother n law had a disc in his spine that chipped off and it was the most agonizing pain he ever went through. I’d never seen him ever complain. I can’t inagune the pain you’re in. He luckily finally had surgery and it helped tremendously. I’m really praying that you and your docs find a solution. And that they get a good pain management plan in place for you.
If you can take any peace right now- please may it be that everyone single person here that you’ve supported, inspired, and so selflessly helped, is rooting for you and praying for you and sending you all that love back.
Hang in there Craig.
youngboy238 lisa29739
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We all are rooting for you and believing in you Craig, you can get through this. Agreeing with Lisa on hoping that you and your doctors can help find something that can help.
Craig your in my prayers and I’m hoping your in everybody else’s prayers too. If you are ever feeling down feel free to message Craig, or say how your feeling.
Oh and that was an awesome quote too Lisa, I do agree with that so much. There are so many terrible people in this world, who try to make it a bad place. People need to help one another, and the people who love you will help you Craig. Don’t feel like a burden at all, good people care for one another and there are plenty of good people too.
Keep trying to hang in there, try to find something that could help ease the pain, if there is anything.
I’m definetly still thinking about you and remember I 100% believe you can make it through this Craig.
craig07920 KS2017
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Hi KS,
Thanks so much for the kind and lovely words, and for your prayers - it means so much to me right now. I've just been rocked this week as on top of other pain I've been managing have developed piles (sorry for the info) which have been so sore, and because so many issues for me have went on so long I get panicked that when I get something else I will be stuck with it - I don't want to think that way and praying God helps me to see things more rationally.
I will pray for you too KS, praying that this horrible time you've been through comes to an end and that God restores your health and peace again - praying for light at the end of the tunnel for everyone on the site! Thinking of you too and your prayers are the best gift I could have!
Craig
craig07920 youngboy238
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Thank you so much Diane and Young Boy for the comforting and encouraging words and prayers - I am most grateful and keeping you both in my prayers each day at the moment as I know you guys have been suffering deeply. I just pray for God's healing hand and intervention and Holy Spirit to fall afresh on you and everyone on the site today, in Jesus' name.
I'm very grateful for such a supportive network of kind and amazing people on here - I see such goodness and strengthen and Godliness in everyone I really do. Thinking about you!
Craig
craig07920 lisa29739
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Thanks so much Lisa, your words of support and encouragement are amazing and I really appreciate them. I have been lucky that I've still been able to get out and move about thanks to God, it's just I've been overwhelmed at having a number of health issues to deal with at once and it's just taken its toll and feeling quite empty and hard to motivate myself each day when things are tough and I'm not in a work situation or doing the things I was used to doing.
I totally empathise that you don't feel like socialising or putting a face on to others, it can be hardest thing in the world to do when you know how deeply you're hurting inside. I know you have suffered this last year and a bit Lisa and I just want so much for you and everyone on the site to get better, and that God has mercy even though I know I haven't handled my situation as well as I could and made so many mistakes. Grateful that He is a good God and a compassionate God and that He understands what we're going through and is there for us.
Thinking of you and praying for you too Lisa, hang in there!
Craig
KS2017 craig07920
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I'm so sorry that you're going through so much all at once, I know how overwhelming it feels when you feel like you've lost control of your body and when you just don't know if and when you'll recover. It must be awful to have so many things going on with no certainty or clarity around why those things are happening and why you are in pain. My best advice would be to keep seeking a doctor or natural healer who can really help explain what's going on and to give you some sort of prognosis. I think it's the uncertainty that makes things so much worse in our heads.
Something I found that helped me was to distract myself from thinking about being unwell- it's such an awful existence to just be continually thinking about being sick and unwell, so I started getting back into drawing and art which I previously didn't have the time for. Do you enjoy drawing, or writing, or playing an instrument or even learning another language? It doesn't have to be a huge undertaking but maybe the distraction can provide a bit of escape for a bit?
I will continue to pray for your healing Craig, sending you hugs.
craig07920 KS2017
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Thanks so much KS,
Your message was really lovely and I'm so grateful for it. Just been overwhelmed this week as you say because my pain has upped a level and finding it hard to cope, even just to get back to a more manageable phase would be a huge relief and help right now. You're right it's the uncertainty and not knowing if or when recovery will happen that is so hard - if we knew for example that things would last another 3 months for example, it would be a blow and hard to deal with but also reassuring that you knew for certain there was an end and could work towards that - really hoping and praying for an end to all the suffering that you and everyone on the forum has been going through.
Distraction is good KS you're right. I'm afraid I'm not good at drawing or anything like that, I do need to find something else to keep my mind active and focussed through. Lately my enthusiasm for things just waned a bit and hoping God can help stir me up and find something which brings some peace and respite. It's great you are doing some drawing and art KS, you sound very talented!
Thanks again for your prayers KS - still the best gift I could have from others is their prayers as I know God hears them - and I will continue to pray for you too.
Take care and hugs also,
Craig
brent_83487 craig07920
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diane83287 brent_83487
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craig07920 brent_83487
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Craig
diane83287 craig07920
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r20213 craig07920
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You have been a great support for all in the group. I am really sorry that you are in pain. Please remember that all our prayers are with you and you WILL recover very soon.
RD
craig07920 diane83287
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Thanks Diane,
I had a terrible day as I took a fibre supplement for the first time on Saturday but had a bad reaction to it, have felt since then a blockage in my chest / throat and it was very frightening. Doctor couldn't really do much they said just see if it works its way out - really hoping and praying things settle and for a more settled week for all of us Diane. Continuing to think about you and praying for a breakthrough in your situation.
Craig
craig07920 r20213
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Thanks so much RD, that means everything I'm so grateful for your prayers. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers too and really hoping God can stabilise and strengthen and heal our souls and bodies today.
Thinking about you and hang in there!
Craig
diane83287 craig07920
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craig07920 diane83287
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Thanks for your kind words Diane, yesterday was a more settled day for me which I was grateful for. Just hoping and praying this can be a settled day and week for you Diane, I know you are struggling right now and still thinking about you and praying for you even when not on the forum here each day right now. Still believing you're going to get better because there is ALWAYS hope with God.
Craig