Just wondering if anyone else deteriorated rapidly after flu ?

I already had a lot of the same symptoms I have now but after a particularly awful bout of flu I never recovered and went downhill rapidly. That was 6 years ago.

[Sarahs23]

I was diagnosed in January with fibro, I had flu in September and from then on that's when I began noticing symptoms I was told flu can stay in your system for a few weeks after and kept putting down to that, but I too went down hill from then on ! X

[Hidden in reply to Sarahs23]

The only flu I can remember as it hurt my head/brain so much to cough that I had to bark rather than cough. Thanks for replying Sarah, makes me feel slightly better to know I am not the only one. Good luck with your treatments x

[Speedqueen9]

I went sick from work with the flu 10 years ago and never went back. Every time I get a virus I seem to get worse in the fibro department. Viruses seem to be a very common trigger trigger to worsening fibro, so definitely not in your head

[Hidden in reply to Speedqueen9]

Thanks Speedqueen9. I just can't get my head around the facts of this ridiculous illness. Everything seems to contradict itself. I went from athletic yummy mummy to old lady in weeks

[Speedqueen9 in reply to Hidden]

I understand 110%. There is no rhyme nor reason to the illness and the many many symptoms. I wonder if anyone will ever make sense of it. I don't "talk" much on this site but I read stuff everyday and it is a comfort to know that there are people who understand and sympathise with us fibromites. Good luck and take comfort in the fact that you are not alone xxxx

[Sarahs23]

It's an awful illness, so glad you posted as like you said it's good to know it's not in your head and I defiantly need reassurance it's not. This site is great

[Hidden]

Since reading more about it I had several tell tale signs dating back to my late teens ie:- migraine, depression and heavy painful periods. I don't expect that anyone could know back then but as more GPs are becoming aware I think it would be an idea to connect those issues in some sort of data bank for future reference. I don't mean tell the patient. But it would surely make diagnosis so much quicker even if only to rule it out when the pain factor kicks in.

[dicky]

yes flu symtoms a big facter, can take many years to get right diagnose of fb

[Hidden in reply to dicky]

I count myself lucky to have got mine within 3 years after reading some posts on here Dicky

[dicky]

it took them 10+ years to diagnose fb with me,,, many wrong diagnoses throught many years(from 11years of age now 50?) how are you these days

[Hidden in reply to dicky]

I am assuming you are a male ? That would confuse them big time. The numbers keep changing but when I was confirmed it said 90% women, now says 80%. Today I am excited. I am starting right back to the beginning as far as treatments and pain relief go. I have lived 2 or 3 years with no idea what I wanted from life because I was always outdoorsy and active and I lost that me and hated the stranger that had taken over my body. Also had young teenage boys who could not understand. Was very hard for them as we had always done everything together. But a new day has dawned and slowly but surely I will find a path for the new me. I want to write a blog somewhere to make me keep positive, will sort that tomorrow, too tired today.

I wish you all the luck in the world for good days ahead Dicky xxx

[dicky in reply to Hidden]

yes there are just as many males with fb,as female, it seems to take longer for males to get proper diagnose, I have had many traumatic accidents, so it stems from this..

[Hidden in reply to dicky]

I have donated my body to medical science in the hope they may be able to find something out. Also so my boys don't have to bury me ! I have no idea where I would end up, they have a very strange sense of humour sometimes That's for the future though, I reckon I have a good 30 years left in me yet. Lets party while we can

[TheAuthor in reply to dicky]

Hi dicky,

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today?

Just thought I would poke my ore in here! I had a completely different experience to most. I was diagnosed with Fibro within a 4 week period after intensive testing, acupuncture, massage and talking through my GP and my private consultant. So I got lucky, being in the right place at the right time!

Before I went to my GP I had experienced severe pain for nearly a year. Then I thought, no more, going to my GP.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

I cant ever remember having flu and it`s been about 6yrs since I had a cold, but my fibro flaired up 24hrs after having a flu jab no one can say if they are connected or not but from now on no jab for me. I do not want to risk another 2yrs of that pain again sue

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

They try to make me have it since the pneumonia but I won't, just in case

[Shazzzy]

I had the norovirus last year and was extremely ill for a couple of months after which i had my worst year ever with fibro. I am 50 but feel about 90.

[Hidden in reply to Shazzzy]

Thats awful Shazzzy, how are you now ?

[Shazzzy]

I am worse in some area but better in others, like you I am trying to gsin control of this thing and get back some form of life. I struggled immensly with the way my life changed, i to was very active, slim snd healthy, I would work out, swim and take a yoga class every week. Now i am lucky if i can make it to hydrotherapy once a fortnight. But not giving up yet.! I bought a juicer in the new year sales snd use it everday to make delicious fruit and veg juices for breakfast an sometimes lunch as well. That combined with cutting out white bread, food with gluten, ie biscuits, cakes, pasta has improved my ibs a lot,so one symptom at a time, i am fighting back!!!

[Hidden in reply to Shazzzy]

Good. My IBS is nowhere near as bad as it was. I had to change it in order to take the pain relief. Just reduced the things I know make it bad like bread, fizzy water etc. And carrot juice is my favorite. I intend to clear the fridges and freezers of red meat and replace with chicken and fish because summer is a coming and I do like salads and veggies.Lots of changes coming but I am looking forward to them. Going to keep a personal blog to boost me when it gets tough and also to show my GP. I find it incredibly hard to describe how bad things get if I don't actually have it at that time. Good luck Shazzzy may the force be with you girl xxx

[TheAuthor]

Hi whoamInow

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am so sorry to read that you have never really recovered from the flu.

It is a very interesting question; I use the Respiratory Clinic at my local hospital due to the fact I have COPD, my problems are Emphysema and Chronic Asthma. I saw a medical specialist just before my recent surgery the other week, and we discussed the effects of multiple viruses on the immune system.

I had pneumonia twice and several other viruses over a 12 month period and she sent me for numerous breathe tests, blood tests, and those horrible tests whereby you snot into a beaker (sorry!). I get all the results for this next time I go, and the gist of this was that multiple viruses, flu and pneumonia can lead to general (holistic) health problems.

I was told if the results were not good then I would be prescribed a long course of antibiotics (sort of thing used for TB etc). So, as I say, your question is very interesting and I would have to say that I am suffering in the same way as you are! This was all picked up because of the number of steroids that I was taking because I was having real difficulties breathing.

If I were you, I would really consider talking to your GP about this and see what they can do to help you?

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

2 years ago after pneumonia, came home with the idea I had COPD. Was never definite but that was a general opinion by the hospital docs. Came home with inhalers, steroids, anti biotics etc. That was Christmas Day. Respiratory nurse visited early January and confirmed that I probably had it. Gave up smoking, took 2 inhalers a day. Appointment with consultant in March showed my lungs were completely clear. Threw the inhalers away and all my breathing difficulties eventually cleared up. The fibro and weak muscles were the eventual explanation for the length of time it took. Same as you I would advise everyone to talk to their GP but there are many reasons why some simply can't do that. For me its the travelling there. I believe there is an answer to most things so now when I need help, I phone her. She has never let me down. have a good day Ken and keep up with your positive posts,they are good to read xx

[Shazzzy]

Well done, blog sounds a great idea, especially as you said you cant remember how it was afterwards. Let us know hen you start it and i'll followyou.

[Hidden in reply to Shazzzy]

Not sure how it would work. Facebook page seems like the best option for now Shazzzy. But if I am going to keep it real the way I intend to not sure I should share it. You can be my guinea pig if you don't mind.Have a good day if you can and thank you xx

[Shazzzy]

No prob, been guinea b4. Onwards an upwards xx

[Hidden]

I think the link to viral infections and also to problems in earlier life, ie childhood and adolescence is that there is a link between the development of fibro and the immune system. Trauma in particular can overwhelm the immune system as can a nasty virus or bout of other illness so anything that puts extreme stress on the body can act as a trigger or stressor for future symptoms. The rheumatologist I was diagnosed by said my history of trauma and depression in earlier life was absolutely typical of the majority of people who are diagnosed with fibro, so even people who do not recall trauma may have had strain put on their immune systems via illnesses in the past.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good info Rose, I just learnt something I did not know. Thanks and I hope you are having a good as possible day xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm glad you found it useful, though you may still find many medics treat fibro as a less than physical problem. You have a good day too. Suex