Can't get diagnosis. Severe fatigue and weakness.

[Notgoingdownyet]

Happy new year to all of you. I just joined the group and am happy to find this forum. I understand you are not doctors but I was wondering if I could run my case by you and see what you think, because I have talked to at least six doctors already and ran tens of blood and urine tests. I can't find a diagnosis and I want to not only know what I have but know the right course of action to take to heal as well as I can.

I'm 37 years old, female, I work full time, and I'm usually outgoing and like to hike and workout, do Pilates, and eat healthy with lots of whole foods. On November 15 I came down with a sore throat and saw white stuff on my tonsils using a flashlight and mirror. I called Kaiser (HMO health plan) and they put me on a round of penicillin. I felt better after a few days and was healthy from about Nov 20-31. Then, on Dec 1 I got a really bad headache and the sore throat returned. I was also getting a little bit fatigued. A second round of antibiotics didn't help. I missed a few days of work and them tried to return. It was freezing cold in our building at work because the heat wasn't working. I started getting worse and took off of work again. I got increasingly fatigued. Not just tired but also weaker and weaker. I had to lay down almost all the time. I had a few doctor appointments but no answers. I had two mono spots, Epstein-Barr, HIV tests and all were negative. On Dec 21 I tried to go to a company holiday party but got very tired and a headache and went home. On Dec 24 I tried to make it to the grocery store, thinking I had enough energy to, and by the time I got there the energy wore out and collapsed and ended up in the ER. They checked my heart via EKG and blood work. Everything was fine. Blood pressure was pretty normal. Sometimes it would go down to 90/58 but was usually at 110/70. My blood was cultured and was clear of bacteria. Vitamin levels were checked. White and red blood cell counts normal. I had a follow up appointment on Dec 26 and the doctor said there are many bad viruses and he thinks I'll be better in a month.

I'm staying at my dad's still. I sleep about 8 hours at night but then am so fatigued I can't get out of bed until about 5pm. I can walk again a little, but only enough to get to the bathroom. I have no stamina.

I started taking echinacea to support my immune system. I've been taking a multi vitamin and an extra vitamin C. Also, I've been eating healthy and drinking lots of water. I don't know what else to do. I am very slowly making progress each day, but it is so slow it's crazy. I'm worried it's post viral fatigue because from what I understand that can last a long time. I'm so fatigued I can barely keep my eyes open even though I don't sleep during the day, I just lay here.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hugs.

[krashcup]

You may have Celiac disease.
That is when your body attacks itself when consuming gluten proteins from wheat, rye, or barley products. It can also be genetic.
This disease can wrack the body in so many ways that you would be amazed.
You need to see a good Gastroenterologist and demand from them blood tests to find out.
But don't stop there as the blood test may not show anything, you will have to demand getting a liver biopsy which will definitely show if you are a Celiac.
I have it myself and it gave me chronic fatigue, liver disease, thyroid disease and muscle weakness.
Don't wait as it can get worse if you have it and if you do, buy a copy of Dr. Peter Greens book "Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic second edition." The best to you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Chronic fatigue is usually seen in some generalized conditions like anemia, abnormal sleeping posture, viral infection (with or without fever), Depression, electrolyte abnormality etc. Even hypothyroidism should be ruled out as fatigue and body ache is its classical symptoms.

Apart from the causes that you have got ruled out, get hypothyroidism also ruled out.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.