Have CFS - new to this forum

I am 43 years old and started having cfs symptoms last year after recovering from pneumonia. In December my gp indicated she felt I had cfs after I had all sorts of testing to rule out other conditions including a pet scan to rule out lymphoma because of swollen glands, overwhelming fatigue and night sweats. I also have inflammation markers that show up with monthly testing and an abnormal kappa/lambda ratio which is part of a myeloma screen. All other tests relating to myeloma have come back normal.

I have taken a break from seeing doctors to pursue this the last couple of months so I can concentrate on learning what diet is best for inflammation, the most effective exercise and other lifestyle changes.

Has anyone heard of pneumonia triggering cfs?

Caren - thanks for the welcome! I will have to check out the Magnesium Malate. I think reality has set in over the last couple of weeks and the fact that each day is unpredictable as to whether it will be a good day or not is sobering. Question to you or anyone that wants to reply: Do you see an immunologist or an infectious disease Dr to follow up on CFS? My GP thinks the immunologist and the rheumatologist I had been seeing thinks an infectious disease Dr.

peachgamom, welcome, sorry it has taken me so long to reply I have been under the weather with CFS. It takes me down a lot. I agree with Recoveryme2day, see any Dr who believes that it exists & will treat it. My regular GP takes care of mine. It is more of a trying to find what works for you for symptoms then anything else. There are no medications specifically made for CFS but some can help with our symptoms. Such a bummer!!!

I have never heard of anyone getting this illness from pneumonia but I can't say for sure because no on knows why we get it. Mine just came on out of the blue but they think it could be from a herpes virus. I have always gotten fever blisters on my lip & had for years before I came down with CFS. I was just working one day & started to feel dizzy & tired & it went down hill from there. I am now disabled with it & Fibro.

Before I was first dx'd I took a break from Dr's too. I had just had enough & needed a break. I had been through so many tests & specialists that I was done. The break helped me to recoup some & then I went back. Now I see my Dr about every 6 months for my illnesses & I am so fine with that.

Take care of yourself & I hope you will come & let us know how you are doing or join into our forum when you feel at all up to it. We go in spurts, each of us, due to our illnesses. Soft hugs, Denise

HI Peach and welcome to you. Has any doctor talked to you about fibromyalgia? That would be a good reason to see a rhumy doc. Actually you can test yourself and have your hubby or daughters be a second opinion. Do you have places on your body that is very sensitive to touch? Mine started in my feet 20 years ago. If a person came up behind me an just touched my shoulders I could not help it I would burst into tears it would hurt so much. My chest, under my collar bone was very sore to touch. Also, pressing on ribs hurt so much to touch. I suggest you visit the fibro forum and do more research too. Its not always easy to diagnose, but if you have fibro. then you nearly ALWAYS have CFS. For a long time it was hard to find a doctor who believed in fibromyalgia. That has changed. You can find tons of info. on line...I look forward to hear more from you....regards...Cathy

Thanks to all for the helpful information and replies.  I have started taking Magnesium Malate over the last two weeks and notice a difference which is really good.  Next I will check out the Virgin Diet.  I am avoiding pro-inflammatory foods and most gluten.  I see my GP in a few weeks for a check up and will ask about getting the lyme test IGenex.  I have also heard that the general lyme test is not reliable which is the only test that I have.  She usually does an EKG once a year as part of a follow up for my blood pressure.  I am interested to see if my EKG has changed as I read an article that the graphs looks different with CFS, not sure if this is correct, or not. 

I am crazy busy at work and trying to wear myself out by getting my sleep and eating well.  When my sinus symptoms are not acting up, it seems that the CFS is better although I find I still have to pace myself.  All for now, L.

it is good to hear from you Sherry!  I am glad to hear that there are others that had pneumonia in which it triggered CFS.  I never had mono or any other viruses that usually trigger but then I read bacterial infections can also cause it.  I know it was the pneumonia because after I recovered from the pneumonia, the fatigue set in and I start having some new/unusual symptoms.  All started after having pneumonia in the beginning of 2012. 

Lesley

I'm not sure what's happening to me but I have a history of severe anxiety and OCD, but following hospitalisation for cellulitis in sept 2012 I can hand on heart say I have never felt as bad. The fatigue makes me upset, I have occasional chills, general aches,

Question I had was regard to swollen lymph glands and how common they are in this condition. I know the CDC says its a feature but just wanted to see what it's like in reality?

This condition has literally knocked me out I can relate to the hit by a truck feeling. I hope slowly i will get better. But feel I'll never 100% recover. Its had such a profound effect on me that I've changed as a person too much less stressed about silly arguments at home etc and don't like confrontation with people just so more chilled out now

Swollen lymph nodes, sweating, and fatigue along with CFS are symptoms of Lyme and Babesia. Many test positive for it after having these symptoms and a CFS or Fibro diagnosis for a while.

Chlamydia Penumoniae (CPN), is sometimes transmitted as well with Lyme.

Research these and follow the symptoms and info to see if its something you need to be tested for.