Am I really ill or this a general viral thing?

[Goofymum]

I know it's impossible to diagnose on here but do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? (I am not pregnant by the way)

For the last couple of weeks I have been very tired, unusually so and sleep doesn't really help. I get so fatigued, like I have mild flu and haven't the energy to do alot.

I get a strange pain in my joints, mainly ankles, and along my forearms. My forearms are painful now. It's a dull ache. I get it in my neck and at the base of my skull too. My feet ache too (balls of feet, on the joints), especially in the mornings.

My throat is sore but I can't tell if it's hayfever related.

I just generally feel Urgh and want to go to bed all the time. I don;t have a temperature and I'm not ill enough to take time off work. Should I see a doctor or just see this out? I am normally pretty healthy.

Thanks

[AnotherStitchInTime]

Vitamin deficiency? Vitamin d (bone aches), iron (fatigue) or b12 good place to start.

Post-viral fatigue, were you Ill before this started?

Current viral fatigue (sore throat), laryngitis from viral infection has been doing the rounds.

[Goofymum]

I did think vitamin deficiency so took a multi vitamin today. It does feel more viral though with the tiredness but the bone aches were worrying me. I can't really do alot about a virus apart from boosting my immune system with vitamins can I.

[Cardriver]

I have fibromyalgia and I have most of those symptoms that you listed and more. You should take some time off sick and rest, really rest, because that's what your body is telling you to do. I believe that if I could have rested in the early days I might have had a chance of recovering, but there was no way I could do that.

[Goofymum]

Cardriver, did you go to your GP to get this first diagnosed or was it a long process? I'm wondering if I should just go to my GP now and he could do a few tests.

[Cardriver]

I left it for a month or so thinking that I'd pick up but then I realised it was more than a 'normal' illness. The tests took about 6 months in total before everything else had been ruled out and fibromyalgia diagnosed. I've been ill now for coming up 6 years. So definitely see your GP even if it's just to start the ball rolling in case you don't feel better in a few weeks.

[PenelopeGarciasCrazyHair]

Fibromyalgia and thyroid issues are often confused as they have similar symptoms. Do you have any thyroid problems or other auto-immune conditions in your family? It can be hereditary so more likely if other people (especially women) in your family are affected, also if you have recently undergone some hormonal upheaval (menopause, pregnancy etc) and if you have had glandular fever previously.

I believe fibro can be difficult to get a diagnosis, more of a process of elimination, part of which should be thyroid tests and B12/iron etc.

[RockinD]

Fibromyalgia is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom. Generally doctors give it you as a diagnosis when they can't be @rsed to figure out what is causing it.

OP, I would go see your GP and ask for some blood tests: TSH. FT4. FT3. TPO. TgAB, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, a full iron panel and ferritin. When you go back to get the results, ask for a print out, then you can post them on here when the GP tells you that they're all 'normal'.

In the mean time you could take vitamin C to bowel tolerance and go to bed by 10.00pm and generally be good to yourself for a while. That will certainly help if you have recently been subject to high levels of stress.

[Goofymum]

Thanks for all your posts, they are really helpful. My mum takes thyroxine daily for under active thyroid, so I should get that checked out. Will see my gp and ask for a few tests.

[PenelopeGarciasCrazyHair]

Oh wow, well definitely mention that (although I mentioned the same, plus the glandular fever as a teen and the fact that I'd just had a baby. My GP diagnosed PND for 6 months, until a locum was there when I went back saying the ADs weren't really working, and he finally listened to me and tested for thyroid!).

Finding out that you have a lifelong condition can be a bit of a downer, but in fairness, if it is thyroid, then it's pretty easy and effective to treat and vastly improve the way you feel. Good luck.

[Goofymum]

Thank you. I have an appointment with the GP tomorrow, will let you know how I get on!

[Goofymum]

I saw the Gp today and described my symptoms. He said it could be a million things so has sent me for some blood tests, the full works - liver, bone, full blood count, kidney, thyroid, fasting glucose. Am getting them done Thursday then will await the results.

[crazyswazi4]

Two weeks ago today, I woke up thinking I was dying. I had pain ALL over my body, similar to very bad flu/sepsis. I had a raging fever, difficulty breathing and pain so bad that I overdosed on sleeping meds to get through the night.
Next morning I was at my gp and she thought I was suffering from anxiety or a mental breakdown of sorts. I explained how bad I felt. A 10min walk to my GP took me 30 mins that day. She put me on a 10 week course of antibiotics because she couldn't diagnose me. She went on to say that I should dial 111 if I felt the same or worse after 3 days. Come Tuesday morning... I was convinced I was having a heart attack. My left lung felt like it had collapsed, my right leg and foot were swollen and I was visibly rocking from pain and the inability to walk without gasping for breath.
After 3 hours of needles, tests, x-rays and an ECG, the doctor said she has no idea what is up, everything was fine with all the tests and it must be viral.
They sent me home with more antibiotics for a UTI. While on those, my skin was peeling as a side effect as it contra-indicated other meds I am on and I feel no better.
I still have the swelling, stomach burns constantly, lung still feels like a needle is in it and my foot looks like I was stung by a swarm of bees.

I honestly don't know what to do as this kind of thing happens at least 3 times a year to me and the general body pain is a constant. I have had so many blood tests in the past two years with no joy.

Forgot to mention these strange headaches I get that shoot from inside my skull outwards, like electric shocks. In short bursts to ones that make me want to fall in a heap and bawl like a baby.

Phew!!! That was long.

[apermanentheadache]

Goofymum, do you have a carbon monoxide alarm? Unlikely cause, given the heat and the fact you're unlikely to have your heating on at the mo, but a possibility given the sudden onset and symptoms. Do you have a dodgy cooker/ boiler for hot water?