Extreme fatigue comes and goes suddenly, sometimes after virus, sometimes for no apparent reason

[Somerset99]

I don't know if this is the right community for my post but my husband's condition seems invisible as no one so far has any answers.

For the past 10 years my other half, 71, has had periods of extreme fatigue following minor ailments. This can last for weeks, or months. When I say extreme fatigue, this translates to zero activity beyond self care, sitting and sleeping. Not able to concentrate or speak much. No interest in going out of the house. Drs have done blood tests over the years and found no underlying medical reason. I suspect a low immune system but am told there is no evidence of this.

These periods can also come on out of the blue when he has not had a virus.

Oddly too, the fatigue comes and goes. During a bout, he can suddenly get up one day and say he feels fine and get on with life as normal. It seems a magical transformation. This may continue, or he may be back to the fatigue the next day.

As you can imagine, this is v frustrating and has meant we have had to cancel many holidays and social engagements over the years. Maybe it falls under the general heading of post viral fatigue, but seems to have a very odd pattern.

He developed ocular shingles 3 months ago. V nasty. The symptoms are on the wane but the fatigue has set in. Again, he has days where it seems to have gone away, he engages socially and plans to get on with life; and then it returns in a day or so.

We have tried herbal tonics. Currently taking Metatone. Have had allergy investigations with no results.

Are currently considering private investigations with a clinic specialising in food intolerance and its effect on the immune system.

Sorry this is a long post, but not a simple problem.

Any similar experiences and suggestions very welcome.

[Ladybug9]

I"m sure he's had recent blood work done? What doctor's don't check for when it comes to fatigue is the Epstein Barr Virus which causes extreme fatigue. If it wasn't for my Psychiatrist I would not have known I had it! Also, Chronic Fatigue effects so many of us but unfortunately, no cure for that. But, there is one for the EBV! Let me know what you find out? I certainly understand as I have Fibromyalgia, CFS, EBV, and anemia. I understand fatigue!

[Vertical]

Try Phoenixrising.me - biggest on web

[Somerset99 in reply to Vertical]

Thanks for replying. Great to have any input, but could you tell me about this site - sometimes a bit dubious of accessing sites when content is obscure. Thanks

[Vertical]

I’m 70+ and have had the “mystery illness” MECFS for 30 years. I was one of the first on the internet groups to follow this illness. Phoenixrising.me is an outgrowth with ~65,000 members, including doctors, members and researchers from all over the world. It’s a 503c tax exempt organization. Go there and read about it. Then find a forum that interests you. You can sign up or not. You’ll like it😉

[Vertical]

BTW, there’s nothing obscure about Phoenixrising.me. It’s international and often quoted in medical journals, JAMA, Lancet, et. It covers many nefarious‘invisible’ illnesses. You’re sure to find interesting/helpful stuff.

Enjoy.🎉