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just bad flu or a CFS relapse?

Posted , 8 users are following.

emma679
emma679

After 7 years of being in remission from CFS/M.E. I went down with flu 5 weeks ago and am making no recovery. Is this a relapse or just bad flu (I normally take longer to get over colds/flu than the average person) ?

I had 7 years of very severe M.E. from 1995-2002 followed by 5 years of steady recovery. 5 years ago I went back to uni to study for a new career and have worked full time for 2 years. This was challenging but possible and I had to be careful not over do it at the weekend or in the evening. Then I started a new job before Christmas and immediately felt overwhelmed by the workload and stress. Telling myself I just needed time to settle in I managed as best I could but in mid February caught this virus which has not shifted. In fact some symptoms are worse particularly the achey legs and arms. Very worried. 

Please help. Thank you.

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • alison46410
    alison46410 emma679

    Posted

    Hi Emma,

    I am new to this forum and noticed your discussion. I have been in a similar position. Had a nasty cough/flu virus in Mid February and can't shift it as well as having old CFS symptoms flared up. I was also working full time as well as studying and had been feeling increasingly run down since Christmas. It is bothersome that I am still feeling too unwell to return to work for my 5th week. But a bit reassuring to see that I am not alone in taking longer to recover once a virus has really got into me.

    • emma679
      emma679 alison46410

      Posted

      Hi Alison, are you in the UK? There has been a bad flu around. I am still not able to go back to work for my 6th week. This is most unusual as I have been well for some years. I guess rest and relaxation are the only ways to get over it properly. Work has offered me a job share when I return which is great because I never wanted to work full time again, but there were no part time opportunities when I returned to work after 16 years (!!!). Hope you get well soon too.
  • alison46410
    alison46410 emma679

    Posted

    Thanks Emma, yes I am in the UK. And like you  I will also be in my 6th week of not feeling well enough to work this week.. The last one that got me was the Swine flu 4 years ago. I don't know if I felt as unwell as this by the 6th week. I was working for two employers before Christmas totalling 40 to 50 hours work a week. I knew I was pushing it. I had dropped to 30 in January, but some of the work was stressful. That is good you are being offered a job share. I am on a zero hour contract which feels even more unstable now. I think that is one of the hardest things about CFS is not knowing how long it will take to feel better. I am planning on going back to uni to finish my degree in September. I hope that we both feel well enough to be back at work after Easter if not before. 
    • emma679
      emma679 alison46410

      Posted

      hi Alison, it is a very nasty strain if you say swine flu wasn't as bad as this! We have just got to rest and try and relax as much as possible. I am taking extra supplements and echinacea and at least my appetite has returned so I can eat more now. Worrying about jobs doesn't help, but there is no point in going back sick. Let's hope we are both back soon. Good luck for re-starting your uni degree later this year. All the best.
  • alison46410
    alison46410 emma679

    Posted

    I had been given the anti viral drugs for swine flu as my daughter got that one first but I think that even with not getting it too acutely it still took me about 2 months to get over the post flu symptoms. This flu was a nasty strain, making people without CFS ill for a few weeks too. Hopefully these post flu symptoms ease by the 2 month mark if not before. But I know how worrying it is when some symptoms seem worse even after all this time. Thank you for your encouraging comments to me. I will try to remember to take the echinacea and vitamin C supplements and rest even when feeling not too bad.
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