Help for 17 y/o Daughter - Is this CFS?

I posted this in the fibro forum too. I'm needing some help!

My daughter is 17 and was diagnosed fibro over a year ago. We haven't been able to find a doctor to help us and so it's largely untreated. She is taking Gabipentin at night and Prozak for depression.

She hasn't been able to do much activity-wise. Yesterday, we went to Target and she got halfway through the store and had to sit down because she was weak, dizzy, felt nauseated and said her arms were hurting. She was very pale and clammy. This happens anytime she walks very far at all. She could barely make it out of the store. We've been to the ER for things like this with no significant issues found. She's basically been homebound for over a year with minimal ability to do anything outside. No on should be homebound, especially a 17 year old!

I feel completely helpless and have had no doctors offer any good advice. She recently saw a GI, had her gallbladder removed because it was overactive, and was diagnosed IBS and Lactose Intolerant.

Basically, she's in constant pain (hip, back, leg, jaw) is gaining weight, becomes extremely faint and pale when she does much activity, she even has to lay down for about 30 minutes after she showers.

Does this all sound fibro/CFS related, specifically the Target incident? What should I do to get this kid a life again?!

Ssoutgirl,

Has your daughter ever described her arms as feeling too heavy to hold up to blow dry or brush her hair? You're description of her walking through a store takes me back to about 8 or more years ago when I began with my issues. My Dr just kept blowing me off when I would tell him how tired I was. It really began to irks me. My aunt finally talked me into seeing a rheumatologist and more extensive blood work was done. My rheumatologist has it narrowed down to four different autoimmune diseases. He hasn't given me a diagnosis yet as autoimmune diseases have so many similar symptoms but he's pretty sure I have rhematoid arthritis. I still tend to think I may have lupus. Ive been reading a lot lately about the flouresent lights affecting lupus patients like the sun does. I think they call it being photosensative. Does your daughter get this way after being in the sunlight? I know that after a day at the lake or a trip to Wal-Mart I would have to come home and sleep the mort of the next day. It would totally wipe me out. Or as I like to say "suck the life right out of me" because that's exactly what it does.
Has she seen a rheumatotologist or just a primary care physician? I highly recommend she see a rheumatologist if she hasn't already. My joint pain came later.
I find your daughter's situation quite interesting because it is so similar to how mine began. Please keep in touch. I hope and pray she finds some relief soon. Give her a hug for me and let her know that it may take some time and patience but with persistence you'll figure it out.

If you compare the symptoms of CFS and Fibro, they basically have the exact same effects and symptoms. I was diagnosed at the age of 16 with CFS and am now looking into getting diagnosed for Fibro at the age of 21. One of the first signs my mom noticed prior to my diagnoses was my pale skin, then like your daughter I was unable to do things like go to the store, work or school. One of the main symptoms I have heard from people with CFS is the brain fog, is your daughter having trouble focusing, does it hurt her whole body when she has to think about something, is she getting headaches? Does it give her anxiety when she knows she has to do something that will take a lot of energy for her? Does she feel like weight is pressing down on her? Does she feel heavy or like every muscle has a brick attached to it? Stay positive! It's a hard adjustment at that age but it gets easier as her body gets used to it!

My name is Dean. I might have helpful info. Too much to type. We can talk if you want

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