chronic fatigue?

[reb]

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.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

1.Too early to say, especially in the setting of a recent pneumonia that apparently wiped you out. Pneumonia is a serious condition that can sometimes take weeks to recover from especially if the immune system is compromised as in HIV+ patients, or people with cancer.
2.GI symptoms but not fatigue
3.May be related if your oral intake/appetite has not been good becuase of the stomach problems. Proper nutrition is integral in the healing process. Dehydration can certainly make everything worse.
4.Always a possibility, but it's important that every medical avenue is explored before chalking something up to stress/depression. Don't want to miss anything that could potentially be treated.

Talk to your doc about getting some routin tests such as a CBC to make sure you don't have anemia or electrolyte tests to make sure everything is ok. Thyroid problems can also cause fatigue. FInally, ask your doc to check you out with a routine phsycial exam. For your own part, little by little try to get up and about. Go outside in the sunshine and practice good nutrition to help ensure a complete recovery. Good luck.

[reb]

p.s. Is chronic fatigue syndrome the same as post viral syndrome?

[berth1dm]

Hi reb, Sorry to hear about your symptoms.  I am not a doctor. But I just recently went to a lecture on neurological disorders given by 6 doctors.  From the information they gave, it sounds to me like you have too much yeast in your digestive system and not enough good bacteria.  Too much yeast is very bad for the body and has been linked to chronic fatique symdrome, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, autism and fibromyalgia.  

I would recommend visiting the website www.nutritioninstitute.com and looking into the yeast connection.  Some other books that might be helpful are The Yeast Connection, The Yeast Connection and the Women, and Feast Without Yeast.

There is also a test you can take in these books to let you know if you have a yeast problem.  I have been following the diet for about 4 days.  It has helped me, my energy is through the roof and my tingling sensations have diminished.  

I am no doctor, but it is something you may want to consider.
db

[snowgoer]

Hi Reb, Hope by now you are feeling better. I wanted to point out that I believe what the previous commenter said about the yeast connection could be on to something. It also occurred to me that B12 is absorbed via the intestines as well and a deficiency in this could cause alot of your symptoms. Also look up Pantothenic acid deficiency (vit B5), this could also be a possibility. Good luck to you.

[winky]

This yeast advice above is very good. I also want to say that many many people with Hepatitis C have had and still have chronic fatigue. It seems to be a common denominator along with fibromyalgia and/or rheumatoid arthritis.
Please ask your doc to test you for HepC, not ALT and AST's , but specifically for the antibodies. It can't hurt. Too many people are walking around with this disease and don't know until they become very sick. Just one simple thing to rule out?

Winky

[Gemma]

I am writing for my husband.  He is 64 years old and has fortunately been rarely sick.  Over the last several months, he has really slipped.  He is always tired, his blood work has revealed no abnormalities; his cholesterol is 244.  He is not overweight.  He has smoked a pipe for years and drinks approximately 4 bottles of beer a day.  

I have to drive the car because he has fallen asleep at the wheel!  He is on some medication, but he cries easily and has no interest in anything.  Could he be suffering from some form of depression?  He had a brain scan several weeks and a hematoma was found on the temple area.  The doctors asked if he had sustained any injuries to the head -- he had not.

He is a very talented, personable and educated man.  He does not display any of this when you talk to him.  He is retired and stays by himself all day (I work during the day) and this has never seemed to bother him.  The other day, he said "he didn't have anyone to talk to"!!  He loses his balance and is forgetful
about things.  He gets very upset over the most insignificant things.  I try to be patient with him, but it is not easy.  

We recently had a visit from our daughter who with three young children stayed with us for several weeks.  He really seemed to enjoy them.  Now, he is listless, and to be honest, I don't know how to describe him.  Several people who have been with him notice it too -- so I know it's not just my thinking.

Any ideas -- he is to undergo another brain scan in several weeks, but so far, they have ruled out Parkinson's disease.  They have not mentioned Alzheimer's, but the thought certainly has crossed my mind -- we are both very nervous.

Thanks for hearing me out.

[Stilltorbiting]

A related discussion, Pneumonia & Fatigue - Post Treatment was started.