post viral illness

[tania again, add to question]

hello.  i had an upper respiratory infection in mid April. about four weeks later, i had some tingling sensations in my legs and my head.  since then, i have had lots of joint pain (mainly in my neck, big toe, and knee), still some tingling, and twitching everywhere (even in my eyes).  I have even had two styes in my eyes in a five week period, which i haven't had a sty since i was a small child, and i am now in my thirties.  i have had blood work tests (came back normal), nerve conduction test on my right leg (came back normal), and spine mri and brain mri (also came back normal). i am wondering if post viral can cause this even though i had the repiratory virus in April and the neuro symptoms didn't surface until May?  please tell me what post viral is and how long it occurs after an infection. also, please tell me how long it lasts and how it is diagnosed.  any help would be appreciated.thanks.

[Reenie]

I am very sorry to hear of your suffering.  It is amazing how casually this post-viral syndrome is dealt with in neurological circles.  The inflammation issue is a biggie - I agree.  Mine always felt like an inflammatory polyneuropathy, but was not formally labelled as such because my EMG was normal.  E-mail me if you need support.  ***@****

[Tia]

I can't believe what I am reading here.  You all sound like how I have been sounding these last three months.  And my doctor is tired of me calling him and complaining.  He says he doesn't know what it is, all bloodwork shows normal, and toss me on anti-anxiety pills.
My symptoms are pretty much the same, severe burning and tingling on palms of hands, soles of feet, and face...driving me crazy!!! And to add injury to insult, I have been having severe leg cramps and now arm cramping up.
I am at wits end with this, losing all patience I have...which I really need with a 9 and 2 year old!!!!
Post-viral syndrome...interesting...I had walking pneumonia at the beginning of the year...then my girls came down with Fifth's disease in March.  Thought I had that as well...but they got through it with flying colors....me....still have all the symptoms of that....and its been THREE months...
I don't know what to do....other than find a bridge...these symptoms are making my life miserable....
Good luck to you all....and...I feel for ya!!!!I understand!!!
Tia

[Joan M.]

Your comment about the Fifth Disease is interesting. It's caused by a Parvo virus. You might have your doc give you a blood test for that.

Joan

[Tia]

Thank you Joan....great idea...and that is what I finally had him do today...we shall see.  I'm not totally read on the Fifths disease (parvo-virus), but it is supposed to last only a few weeks, with minimal symptoms.  But I guess there is a small percentage of poor souls who have it linger.
Again, thank you Joan for your suggestion, it was well taken.
Tia

[Reenie]

Hi Tia.  There was a female doctor on the Neuromuscular Forum of MGH a long time ago who checked in with your symptoms after having contracted Fifth's Disease.  I have a feeling that our symptoms are not caused by any one virus/bacteria, but rather it is an autoimmune response that our bodies are engaged in.  I think the trigger could be different for different people.  I don't think there is treatment for Fifth's Disease.  Maybe check into transfer factors and see if there is one for parvovirus?  Good luck.  I understand how it is to try to cope with children and feel like this at the same time: mine were 5, 3 and 9 mos. when I was "stricken."

[Carol55]

To Tia,
Tia, how did you make out on finding  if you had a
positive titer for Fifth disease?  The reason I ask
is because my daughter had it too,  7  yrs. ago at the
age of 6.  She was quite sick with it, symptoms like
you describe, but was over it in about a month.   But
I read if adults get it, it can be much more severe,
and the symptoms, like you describe can last for months.
A close friend got it, she is a 56 yr. old grade school
teacher.  She became so ill with it, she had to quit
teaching for the rest of the school year.  So, maybe
what you are describing to your doctors is Fifth's, and
they don't realize it.  There's a very simple blood
test to prove it.  My daughter had it done, and the
results were positive.
good luck
Sue