Unknown illness causing fatigue.

Ok, well time to share my woes with you folks.

For the last 2 months ive been suffering extreme fatigue, i.e. not being able to concentrate, almost falling asleep at work, not sleeping properly, unable to get to sleep, difficulty getting out of bed.

Then about a month ago, a really bad flu like illness hit me.

It began to affect social life, as wasnt in mood for doing anything as i was constantly tired, and work began to suffer.. my attention to detail has been reduced, but so far ive managed to get away with it.

Anyway, after a friend pointed out to me "jesus Joe, you DO look knackered, are you alright!?"

I figured best to see the GP.

Went in this morning and told her the situation, she asked the routine questions, then checked inside my mouth, checked my glands etc. Then she took my blood pressure. SKY HIGH apparently!

She told me there and then to stop smoking asap.

SHe booked me in tomorrow for a full course of blood and urine tests to try and see what it is.

I spoke to a friend the other day whos a medical student, and he thinks it may be M.E. Or PVFS to be more specific. Thats Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, what they used to call "Yuppies Flu".

Im trying to retain an open mind, but my god.. looking on the PVFS website earlier on put the fear of god into me! No cure, only gets worse, people taking years off work and having to be looked after 24/7!

SOD THAT! This aint happening to me!

Anyone had anything similar? Any ideas? Any comments?

[anna]

I dont mean to be funny but how much exercise do you get.. if your not getting enough may be the reason for not being able to sleep..

Not a doctor but just my 2p worth

Originally Posted by anna

I dont mean to be funny but how much exercise do you get.. if your not getting enough may be the reason for not being able to sleep..

Not a doctor but just my 2p worth

Granted i dont get a lot.

I walk 4 miles each day (2 to work, 2 back) and climb 55 steps up to my office, and down again about 6 times a day for various meetings etc.

Do yourself a favour and DO NOT look up medical conditions you think you might possibly have on the web. It will just cause you nothing but worry and stress when you do not even have the results of any tests yet.

Looking at the worse case scenerio is no good so pull yourself together Joe and tell yourself you are gonna be fine

my missus had that last year (post viral fatigue). she was off work for 3 months pretty much, if its what you got joe, i hope your recovery is quicker.

your symptoms are similar to hers, altho her BP was fine.

Good luck!

I had trouble sleeping and was tired all the time when i was diagonised with diabetics 4 years ago so was wondering if you were checked for that at the docs?

Originally Posted by keithd

my missus had that last year (post viral fatigue). she was off work for 3 months pretty much, if its what you got joe, i hope your recovery is quicker.

your symptoms are similar to hers, altho her BP was fine.

Good luck!

I hope to god it isnt. If it is that, i can kiss good bye to my job/career, as there is no way in hell they will be able to keep the position open that length of time.

lol - i kinda knew things were going too well at work.

TC3 - im gonna be fine...

have a look at this GYKD...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infectious_mononucleosis

Also, it could just be common or garden stress.

I know its a bit nancy, but if you can find a good yoga class, ie you should be shattered after the first five lessons, it can help get this under control.

WRT sleeping, well, its all about habit. You must get into a complete routine, and try to never break it. Always do the same thing, at the same time, every night. Ie Wash teeth at 10.45, do Neti at 10.50, read book until 11.20, try to sleep. Just keep on cycling through this routine, even if its not working.
Do not watch TV before you go to bed, do something really boring like folding clothes, tidying the kitchen etc. Do not go online and **** about looking at crap, you have to be really strict. Even try to do this over weekends till you get on top of the insomnia. Wake at the same time, dont sleep in. Sleep is wierd, the tireder you get, the harder it is to sleep. Not having enough sleep can lead to all of the symtoms you outlined above (as can stress, as can depression). And each of these can feed into one and other.

(Look up "sleep hygiene" on the web, it gives you good rules. (Not sure why they call it sleep "hygiene"... its just tips.))

Edit:: obviously, caffiene, and alcohol are big no nos. Do not try to drink to sleep, and I would strongly recommend that you try everything you can before you accept medication for anything that I outlined above. (If any of them are the actual problem.) (Even if the doc recommends it, medication is the absolute last option. Do not be afraid to get a second opinion from another doctor if they imediately start discussing drugs.)

[timwilky]

joe


get some proper exercise, watch your diet, cut out the fags.

you don't want to end up a medicated physical wreck like me. I ended admitted to hospital with a BP of 240/180. They were appartanly waiting for me to have either a heart attack or stroke. I now have to take medication daily to control my bp. so do yourself a favour and do something about your lifestyle whilst you got chance

Originally Posted by timwilky

get some proper exercise, watch your diet, cut out the fags.

Why is that funny?