GENERAL QUESTIONS:
I was wondering if there is a link between antibiotics, digestion problems and chronic fatigue, or if it is all in my mind, or maybe I don't even have chronic fatigue and I am just recovering from illness. I would greatly appreciate your opinion on this matter. I don't know if this is the right site to address, but chronic fatigue seems to sum up my symptoms and I don't know where else I can turn.
BACKGROUND:
I am a 28 year old otherwise healthy female. I was diagnosed with pneumonia on Feb. 7th, I was fine before then (I could get out and about) but then I was put on tons of antibiotics (at one time I was on 3 courses at one time, and over a month I had 5 courses of antibiotics). Once I started taking the antibiotics I could barely get out of bed because I was so tired. I just ignored it because I figured that my symptoms before were keeping me awake. I was told it would take about a month for me to recover. 1 week after I finished the last course of antibiotics I was doubled up in stomach pain, after 2 weeks of this pain, I was finally sent to a gastroenterologist, who said all the antibiotics I was on, killed my digestive bacteria but didn't say much else. I decided to start taking probiotics and after a few days the pain subsided, but the extreme fatigue resumed. I can barely get out of bed, my blood pressure had dropped (from 110/80 to 90/60) and I showed all the signs of dehydration (raised pulse, fluctuating electrolyte levels, dizziness, etc.) although I was drinking an ample amount of fluid and was not dehydrated through diarrhea, etc. Sometimes my hands and feet go numb. this has gone on for about 1 month since I have started taking the probiotics.
I haven't been able to work for 2.5 months now and it people have suggested that it is all in my mind- (this fatigue) as they have known people to recover from pneumonia (mine turned out to be mycoplasma pneumonia) much quicker than this. I feel like I am going crazy, I can barely stay awake, I am 28 not 90!
QUESTIONS considering this background:
1. Do you think I have chronic fatigue?
2. Is it a side effect left over from the antibiotics? (I was on augmentin, amoxycillan, erythromycin, ciprofloxicin, and some IV antibiotic I forget the name of- I was on the erythromycin, cypro. and augmentin at the same time).
3. Or is it a side effect of the disturbance of my digestive tract?
4. Or do you think it is psychosomatic/ emotional?
If you think it is 1,2, or 3 can you at least guess how long it will take for me to get back to normal (ie stay awake all day). I am not currently working so it is extremely difficult.
Can you suggest anything to help me recover?
Sorry this is so long, I am just so desperate. I look forward to your reply. Thanks.