Is it really Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME

[guadanini]

I am about to be diagnosed with CFS/ME after being ill following a viral infection 6 months ago. The infection was thought to be glandular fever but the test was negative. Initially the symptoms were very much in line with ME but since January all symptoms including the fatigue are 95% better. However since November I have had increasing joint pain in hands arms and also in ribs under my arms. This is getting progressively worse and I struggle with every day activities. I am a musician and cannot play and I'm about to go onto zero pay. I have had no neurological/rheumatological tests. Any ideas?

[Robinia]

Who is about to diagnose it, your GP? Tell him/her everything you're feeling, write it down if necessary, there's always something you forget! Hopefully you should then be referred to a rheumatologist. It's a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms while you wait for an appointment.

I, & several others on this site, have something called fibromyalgia, similar to ME & includes the symptoms you describe but the road to diagnosis for it can be a long one & may not be your problem at all.

Hope you get sorted & feel better soon.

[guadanini]

I have considered it being fibromyalgia. Does this often have a viral onset like ME? I am being treated at a CFS center but have found that the advice they are giving me, I have already acted on 4 months ago from information learned reading books on the subject whilst waiting for the appointments! This is how I have managed to make such good progress so far but nothing seems to alleviate the pain in my hands. I am currently trying the neuropathic drug gabopentin.

[Robinia]

There seems to be no specific cause of fibro (but like you I've become a self taught 'expert'!) & it seems it can follow a virus, trauma or just be spontaneous. I know how it feels to go on & on wondering & waiting - by the time I was sent for pain management after diagnosis I knew more than they did! ME/CFS & fibro are so close in symptoms that it's probably likely that people have both.
All I can do is repeat my advice about seeing your own doctor & asking for a referral.

[Stevie13]

Fibromyalgia and CFS patients have high levels of toxins in their body. The first thing i would recommend is a detox. Black walnut hulls, Wormwood and Cloves. These are anthelmintics. I would then try and improve my liver health, because it is the general of your body. It is your biochemical control centre. Your liver is a filter that protects your body from toxic overload. Lysine is the anti viral amino acid. Linus Pauling recommended taking 3 of vitamin C and 2 G of Lysine a day to prevent illness. I hope this helps?

[guadanini]

Hi thanks for the suggestion re detox. Re the walnuts, cloves etc; How do I take them? what quantities etc? for how long?

[Stevie13]

Guadanini

Have a look at this website: www.curezone.com/diseases/parasites/herbalcure1.html
halfway down the page it gives you the doses and how to take them - parasite program handy chart

Also go to www.healthyinformation.com
Check out the video clip called natural breakthroughs bring hope for Fibromyalgia.
3/4 of the way down the page.

I hope this helps

[Stevie13]

Guadanini

This might be an anternative to the anti epilepsy drug Gabopentin you are taking.
D-phenylalanine (DPA) helps raise pain thresholds and increases tolerance of pain. Pain relieving effect take 750-1000mg (DPA) per day.
DPA blocks the enzymes that breakdown endorphins and enkephalins, the bodys natural pain killers.
I am not sure if you can take both Gabopentin and DPA at the same time.
Also topical creams containing 0.025-0.075% of capsaicin relieves pain by acting on sensory nerves. A burning sensation may occur the first several times you apply the cream, this is normal.

[Stevie13]

Forgot to say that their is an excellent website for CFS / FIBROMYALGIA. Its called www.vitality101.com. Check it out.

[guadanini]

Thank you very much Stevie 13 for all the advice. I will look at all your suggestions.

[jimmy654]

http://www.myfibro.com/what-is-fibromyalgia