Non Diagnosed Male 26 years old

[ryan2304]

Well where to start on this one....Lets hop you have enough time to be able to read and understand my Situation. Well I'm a 26 Year old Male from Newcastle in th UK Employed currently working as an Engineer. I am a Non Smoker and Drink small amounts of Alcohol (Now) due to the problems that I'm Having. I am writing this because I currently have no faith in my local GPs and the NHS as a whole. Now lets ge to the problems:

Started around 4 years ago now I seemed to have Flu like symptoms with extreme cases of headaches and Tiredness. I visited my doctors over a period of 6 Months until I was finally diagnosed as having Chronic Fatigue apparently due to Gandular Fever (Epstein Barr Virus). During the 6 Month period I had numerous Blood tests, Chest Xrays, urine Samples, Stool Samples which all returned clear. During this 6 month period I became very depressed as I was unable to carry out usual day to day acivities. I even had a panic attack at one stage as I was so scared and thought I coudn't breath.

In the end after seing a number of Chronic Fatigue specialists and a number of Doctors I managed to pull myself round and returned to work on a part time basis until I was comfortable and felt healthy enough to contribute a full working day. This was not with out its own problems as on a number of occasions I went home early from work feeling HOT (flushy), migraines and very bad nausea.

Well 3 years on and I'm still having problems which I believe need resolved. I believe the doctors just want you in and out asap when you visit and you never receive a clear diagnosis. Below I've noted the issues I'm currently having:

1) Persistent Headaches.
2) Nausea (a feeling of unsteadiness and vertigo when standng up and walking around)
3) Persistent Tiredness. Feel 'sleepy' until around midday.
4) Sleep restlessness. (Interrupted sleep, tossing and turning) I generally sleep 8 hours a night but I always wake up and some nights I cannot get back to sleep. I have major Bags under my eyes due to tiredness.
5) I seem to sweat and fell he need to go to the direct very soon after eating a meal.
6) I can no longer drink Alcohol very small amounts makes me have pains in the lower back on each side like a stabbing pain.
7) I was once omitted to Hospital due to Severe Abdomen pains and I was told it was minor Kidney Stones.
8) I take daily Alupurinal tablets as I suffer from gout attacks in both the left and right foot. Again this has only started in the last 3 years.
9) My Hands,feet and nose always seem to be cold. I don't know if this is due to bad circulation but my hands go very White in the cold.
10) Sore neck and Back. Basically just general joint aches.
11) Each morning I cough up Phlepm.
12) I had a pin in the groin region a few months back which I found a lump on one of my testicals which I went straight to the docs to be told it was a cyst to my relief. I am waiting for an appointmento have an ultrasond to be 100% but the doc seemed pretty sure.

Does any one have any ideas of where to go from here.As you can imagine all of the above makes me very Nervous about whats going on with my health. I'm thinking of changing my GP's for a start for a second opinion as I feel a healthy 26 year old should not be feelng this way. By the way I have never had weight loss issues and always weighed around 11.5-12 stone.

Thanks in advance fo any help or suggestions.

Ryan

[Singingloonie]

Ryan, chronic illness is a bugger indeed, and the depression and anxiety that eventually comes with it make it worse, of course. It's my understanding that the virus that causes Epstein Barr never really goes away, like chicken pox. It can lie dormant in your system for years and then return. Doctors do not have good answers for chronic illness; they can only manage symptoms. Perhaps that's why you're getting the bum's rush.

My advice is to learn to manage your symptoms and balance your energy. It's tempting to go go go while you can, but that will only hasten a relapse. Make an appointment to see your doctor if new symptoms develop and insist that they follow through with the investigation.

I think it would be strange if you WEREN'T highly concerned about this condition at your age. A local support system can be very helpful at this time. These people can remind you that you are a person, not a collection of symptoms.

Good luck and be YOU.

[thyroidian]

Well i read your post and im glad to find someone like myself who thinks the NHS system in the UK , stands for No Hope Son.
You sound like you are having it rough, and i would like to shed a bit of light.
Have you had any tests done and if so what were they and there outcome?

You say you have chronic fatigue, diarrhoea, dizziness, and dark circles under your eyes, and have felt panicky in the past.

Have you had your adrenals checked?
Adrenal fatigue, can give all these problems, and are so hard to treat.
That would be the first thing i looked into.


Also have you been tested for thyroid illness?

Have you been tested for raynauds disease with the cold hand feet and nose?

Secondly have you been tested for auto-immune disease, have you had an ANA blood test or other testing?

I think you need soe further testing, firstly to rule out the adrenals, then possibly auto-immune, and thyroid and a general blood panel doing

Have you not asked your GP to refer you to an immunologist, these are usually very clever people when it comes to viruses, and the residual effect it can leave on people, and also can link certain viruses to certain illnesses.
How can your GP deny you access to an immunologist when you have had the epstein barr virus, (glandular fever).
Try and get a referral, the immunologist just might have the answer your looking for.

I do know there arent a lot of them in the UK. so you will have to see if your local hospital carries one.
Then you start demanding, british doctors like to use the anxiety route some quite to often, and then real illnesses get swept under the carpet.
Wishing you well.
Sorry ive asked alo of questions , im just trying to get a better picture, so i can help you.
Take care
Nicola.

[Sweetie 2007]

I am not doctor and I hope you find your answer soon and start feeling better, do you know for sure if all your symptoms are related to the same cause. Have your doctor do any endoscopy for your gastric problems? Have you see the problems to occur more after you eat something in specific? Have you try to change your diet? You mentioned headaches and coughing phlepm, have you been check for sinusitis?
I am sure than in 3 years you have been trough a lot, I am just trying to see if by any chance I mentioned something that haven't been check.

Good luck