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Post viral strange symptoms

Posted , 7 users are following.

markus674
markus674

Hi all,

I had what I believe was some sort of viral infection almost 4 weeks ago now, and I am still suffering from odd symptoms now which do not seem to be going away.

It started with a strange cold sensation on the side of my head, almost like it was in my inner ear, and it was more intense when I was in a cold environment. I was waking up with night sweats and getting randomly hot mostly in the evenings, particularly around my neck and face. I also seemed to be particularly sensitive to light, noticing pink blotches in my vision and long-lasting afterimages after looking at something bright. It then developed into a horrible sore throat and nausea, more classic cold-like symptoms, which went away after a few days. A few days later I was left with various other symptoms which have mostly been persistent for 3-4 weeks now:

light-sensitivity

tiredness

insomnia

weakness in arms and legs

back pain

aches in arms and legs (which has largely worn off now)

shaky vision - when I look at vertical/horizontal lines (e.g. door frame) they seem to shudder

shortness of breath

stomach upset

occasional mild nausea

Do these symptoms sound familiar to others? I know a lot of people have been suffering with this for much longer, and for me it has only been around 3-4 weeks, but it is really getting me down as I have had to put my life on hold. I suffer from health anxiety so I have been very stressed and going back and forth to doctors, so I'm sure this isn't helping my recovery. I've had various tests (blood tests, MRI scan) which have shown up nothing, so I'm no longer concerned that it is anything serious but I just want to get back to my normal self again. Is it unusual to still be feeling like this after what felt like a fairly mild infection?

 

0 likes, 30 replies

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  • seth18379
    seth18379 markus674

    Posted

    Hey Markus,

    I've had about 100% of the symptoms you've had over the course of about 3.5 months now.

    Early January, a few days after swimming and getting in a hot tub new years day, developed headaches. Mostly in the temples, behind the eyes. A few days after that woke up with "brain fog" or a severe difficulty concentrating, and really bad fatigue.

    I had some mild night sweats around my neck and some very mildly swollen lymoh nodes.

    My biggest concern and issue has been that I also woke up one day and had left eat tinnitus and a constant need to pop it to equalize the pressure. It's been a daily thing for 3 months. And also a sort of very slight light headed feeling or occasionally slightly off balance.

    But at some point I've had the weird vision (I know exactly what you mean when you describe it), light and sound sensitivity, aches, and indegestion and very rarely nausea. I can't currently tolerate alcohol nor caffeine, one beer makes me feel like I got hit by a truck the next day and coffee destroys my stomach.

    My PCP is at a loss as to what it is, I'm fairly certain it's eustachian tube dysfunction and some post viral illness from some kind of ear infection. She says this is unlikely because I had no WBC count on my first visit but this was over 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

    I FINALLY this week, after feeling like crap for months, have got some relief. The main reason appears to be dropping the worry about all of it.

    I have an ENT appointment but not for another 2 weeks at which point I'll get an MRI and then rule out anything serious. I am not an anxious person and never have been, and Im freakishly healthy. I rock climb 3 days a week and run and bike in the mountains, so I didn't really realize that I was experiencing anxiety. When I figured it out and really jus slowed things down and put it into perspective things started to feel better.

    I'll keep you updated on the ENT visit and MRI since this sounds alot like my stuff.

    Good luck!

    Seth

    • markus674
      markus674 seth18379

      Posted

      Sorry Seth I should've replied to you directly! See my message further down the thread.
  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS markus674

    Posted

    I can't read all of what you said because of the long block of text and not enough spaces. But did you take antibiotics?
  • markus674
    markus674

    Posted

    Hi Seth,

    Thanks for replying, I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with this for so long.

    It's funny you mention the hot tub because right at the beginning of all this I did hot yoga for the first time, which involved doing pretty intense yoga in an extremely hot room for over an hour. Whether this is just a coincidence or not, but I wonder if it somehow intensified the infection.

    I have also had tinnitus almost continuously. I don't really notice it unless I'm in complete silence (went to a meditation session this week, and it really aggravated me). I've been going to bed with rainstorm sounds on my laptop though, which helps to block it out.

    I also forgot to mention the alcohol intolerance, makes me feel horrible, AND I also believe I may have some eustachian tube issues on my right side as I occasionally have hearing problems out of that ear. It's a bizarre thing as every now and again sound becomes distorted and almost robotic. I've had this on and off for about a year now.

    I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and I believe you're right that the worrying, stress and lack of sleep really exacerbates everything. I'm less concerned now that my MRI test and blood tests have come back normal, so please let me know how you get on.

    Thanks again.

    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 markus674

      Posted

      Hi Marcus,

      If you have post viral syndrome/fatigue you'll need to have it for 6months before you can see if its cfs/me from that. I'd like to comment on the shakey eyes as I too get that and the tinnitus. I feel if I do too much my eyes 'oscillate' for a period of time. I have to shut them to make it calm down. The tinnitus-at its worst was louder than the noise in a shopping centre. Mostly just the usual annoying noise though. Unlike you, I get hot ear! I feel It go red hot and it glows red too. Also my cheek will do the same sometimes. I think its just the body trying to fight something that's not there. My friend who had PVS before cfs/me also has the tinnitus and quite a few people do it seems. She also gets red cheeks and sinuses. I have many of your symptoms plus some others. Its such a mixed bag this condition.

      Do you feel you get unrefreshed sleep? The memory isssues and brain fog? With PVS people can recover early on so hopefully you will. Just make sure you rest well.

      Best wishes

      Beverley

    • markus674
      markus674 luvubeaner

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I did have some tingling in my arms and legs for a couple of days actually, but thankfully it has gone now, also a few twitches but nothing too noticeable. 

      As sorry as I am that others are suffering with these odd symptoms, it's also reassuring to know that I am not the only one.

    • markus674
      markus674 Beverley_01

      Posted

      Hi Beverley,

      Thanks for the reply. Yeah I am probably overreacting to a degree as it has only been around 3 weeks, so hopefully it will clear up in time. Funnily enough I do get a hot ear sometimes as well! It can be the left or the right one, but it's always just the one and never both. You're right that it is a real mixed bag, there are SO many different symptoms that are quite scary.

      Unfortunately I am really struggling with insomnia, which is making everything so much worse. I have had numerous tests to rule out anything serious so hopefully now I am less anxious I might be able to sleep better. I am sure that the stress, anxiety and lack of sleep has been a major factor in me not recovering already. I have been taking Zopiclone for a few days to help me sleep, but to be honest I feel like it's making me so groggy that the next day I feel even worse. It seems like my symptoms have become more pronounced since I've been taking it.

    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 markus674

      Posted

      Hi Markus,

      Ah, you too with the hot ear : ) I think it's kind of funny sometimes. It would be easy to worry about the symptoms if they weren't so common with people with the condition.

      I'm not so bad with the insomnia but many seem to have it as part of their symptoms. My friend suffers with It alot. I don't have refreshed sleep but, only get up to go to the loo, not due to sleep disruption. I know it can be really hard to shake.

      I wouldn't worry about being concerned so early on, your body/mind is saying "mmm, something's not right" although the Nhs has a rule of 6months, doesn't mean the symptoms aren't there. Be gentle with yourself. You mention yoga and meditation. If you are still able to do these, I'd say carry on with them. Don't try if you're feeling really groggy though.

      I hope you notice a decline in symptoms and return to your usual way of being soon.

      Best wishes

      Beverley

    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 markus674

      Posted

      Btw, you may be sensitive to the sleep meds. Its like the body becomes more sensitive to things. I can't take strong painkillers as I'm totally wiped out with them. I know you mentioned other sensitivity. My friend takes the kalms? A herbal sleep remedy.

      Hope that helps

      B

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS luvubeaner

      Posted

      I've heard this before Mark, and the extreme flu virus I got, when I was extremely healthy and happy, was when I was camping in a field! Then sometimes later I got ME for no apparent reason.
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS markus674

      Posted

      Robotic! I hear sounds that are sometimes robotic and it feels electrifying, and I have tinitus. I only noticed it when I moved to a quiet village and I wondered where the noises were coming from. It sounds horrible! Like zzzzzzz sometimes and I think there's something really wrong with me! I thought I was the only one!
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS Beverley_01

      Posted

      Beverly I wonder if my tinitus came about from using headphones and the phone too much because I can't stand talking on the phone for too long now, it hurts my head.
    • markus674
      markus674 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Hi Georgia,

      My doctor said it sounds like sometimes fluid builds up in the inner ear, which distorts sound as it enters the ear. It usually only lasts an hour or 2 for me, but it's quite irritating. Voices sound like robots, like that female robot from the film WALL-E. I've looked it up online and thankfully I'm not the only person this happens to!

    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Tinitus is one of the symptoms of ME/CFS. I developed tinitus shortly after I got this illness.
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS jackie00198

      Posted

      I've had ME for 10 years and I didn't know that! I sometimes wonder if too much use of technology (electricity) can be one of the triggers for ME because I used to listen to music really loudly through headphones, I can't wear them now.
    • jackie00198
      jackie00198 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      I suppose anything is possible, but I highly doubt it. I've had ME for over 15 years, during which time I've done a whole lot of reading about the illness. I've never read about technology or electricity being a trigger. Of course, it's never a good idea to listen to loud music through headphones. 
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS jackie00198

      Posted

      I came back to add that I used to play electric guitar and one day I played it for so many hours that I got electric shocks all down the left side of my body and I nearly went into a coma!
    • Beverley_01
      Beverley_01 GeorgiaS

      Posted

      Hi Georgia,

      I'm not sure regarding the Issue of technology. It seems some sort of trauma to the system, psychological, physical, emotional etc is pre-curser but have heard of people on here who don't see a trigger in the first place.

      I don't much like the telephone any more as It drains my energy and can hurt my hearing. I find longer conversations difficult. Music isn't as pleasant as it used to be often either. I put it all down to sensitivities brought about by the cfs/me. I find light too much too on bad days.

      Beverley

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