Chronic Fatigue?

Hi,

The fact that doctors have tested you for many illnesses with negative results, makes it sound like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to me, but I'm not a medical doctor. I do have CFS myself. Is your doctor considering this diagnosis? The good thing about a diagnosis of CFS is that the syndrome is not life threatening. It does, however, require a major change in your life style and life's expectations. I hope you have a good doctor.

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The last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances ...
-Victor Frank, **** Death Camp Survivor

aquarias, I'm sorry you have been so sick and that the docs haven't been able to help you much. I agree with Western about talking to your doctor about the possibility of having CFS. It's really important to listen to your body and pace yourself. Rest before you feel like you are dying and hopefully you can figure out a good balance for rest and activity.

I hope you have a good doctor too. If you don't, keep looking until you find someone who will listen.

Take care

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Diagnosis:  Suspected Lupus 2004; Raynauds 2006; CFS 1991; Mono 1985

Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg; Neurontin 200mg; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain

Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: http://www.healingwell.com/donate/

Thanks for your replies, I really appreciate it!  If you have CFS, do you feel the need to sleep most of the time?  I am able to do a lot of walking and activity, so I am confused if I really do have it. 

 

It is really confusing. I have read that a lot of times people with CFS feel worse after activity. My CFS was in remission for years and I was able to be very active with hiking and running, but now I can't do that anymore. Even when I was in remission, I needed more rest than most people. I do know that on bad days I want to stay in bed and even on good days it's hard for me to get out of bed.

I don't know as much about CFS as I should. You might want to keep a journal of your symptoms and show them to your doctor after you have kept the journal for a little while.

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Diagnosis:  Suspected Lupus 2004; Raynauds 2006; CFS 1991; Mono 1985

Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg; Neurontin 200mg; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain

Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: http://www.healingwell.com/donate/

Has your doctor tested you for the Epstein Barr Virus? That can cause CFS in many people (including myself).

It does require a major life change (in how you go about your daily activities).

I do know the feeling though. I had every test known to man practically done on me, sleep studies, blood tests, etc... etc... and it was 10-11 years before I found a doctor that really listened to me. I got my diagnosis for CFS February 24th. (25 years old... and yep... 10-11 years before my diagnosis).

Effexor can be a dangerous drug with horrible withdrawl effects, so be careful with that. It's helped a lot of people don't get me wrong, but it's perscribed many many times for people that shouldn't be on it.

I'm on Provigil for my CFS, and it's helped A TON!! For anxiety, I'm on Ativan/Lorazepam.

Anyways... hope that helped some. My brain isn't functioning very well at the moment... I think I'm comming down with the flu. My head hurts, is stuffy, sore throat (I feel like I swallowed sandpaper... and I'm supposed to go into work and be a 911 dispatcher tonight... haha)... I feel like I got hit by a truck... coughing... yucky. So yeah... my brain function is almost non-existant at the moment lol.

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Hugs,

Nikki

I have chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety (at this current moment), and some minor abdominal pain which still hasn't been figured out yet... need a break from all the testing ;)

Medications:

CFS: Provigil 200mg, once a day
Anxiety: Lorazepam .5 or 1mg 3xs a day or as needed

Thank You for all of your responses.  Did anybodys symptoms start out like mine with the dizziness etc?  Just curious. Thanks.

hey, just reading about your dilemma and you asked the question " did anyone elses CFS started like this"? well you'll be pleased to know that mine started like that, lots of dizzy spells and then complete blackouts! i was really active before CFS hit( i'm an outdoor pursuits instructor by trade) so it came as quite a shock to be climbing, kayaking and hiking etc, too find the next day i couldnt get out of bed!!i too went through every test known to man, gave enough blood to dry me out and even met some interesting people down at the tropical disease clinic! but every test like yours returned negative!!but i had a good Dr who then sent me too see a neurologist and it was him that diagnosed me with CFS(and all this in 10 mins)also like you i've been suffering for about 7 months now and i had countless number of people tell me that i had to change my life style, but as i'm a figther i've fought it everyday!!i didnt always and it made me worse it wasnt untill i started to exercise did my CFS start to get better! know i'm not saying that it's ok for everyone that suffers with this to go out and exercise like a normal day, as our bodies are in a constant shock of fatigue! my advice is too do as much as your body can take and when your body says enough you stop( i didnt once and i blacked out on my bike doin 40mph downhill....ouch) you'll have good days and you have bad days...just take it one day at a time!!
Aloha

Shaper- Wow our experience sounds identical! Except I never blacked out. Do you think you will ever get back to normal? If it is not too personal, how old are you? Any pain in your upper back ( shouders)? Are you still dizzy? Just curious!!! Thanks.