Post Viral Deathly Fatigue.

[Louisa1840]

Hi Everyone!

At 6 mgs of pred and in my fifth year of PMR I have accepted the fatigue but this is something else! Around four weeks ago I came down with what I am reliably informed is called "Para influenza" (I live in Tasmania, Australia where we are Covid free). It started with a sore throat and then went into a hacking cough with rattly bronchial tubes. When I tell you that my rib cage is still very sore and it hurts to move, I think you will get the severity of the cough? Because of the Covid like symptoms, I couldn't see a doctor F2F but had a couple of Tele Health consults which weren't particularly helpful.

Now the cough is largely gone but I am experiencing Deathly Fatigue like never before! Some mornings I wake and it's an effort to even get up. I do a litte bit and then head for the couch and sandwich my day into brief activity and rests.

I realise this virus has hit an already compromised immune system and a flagging adrenal system and that it's probably a matter of time and patience?

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I did have a flu vax BTW.

This experience has given me huge compassion for those suffering from Covid!

Thank you for your kind, supportive and listening ears!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you’re feeling so crook……think it is a matter of patience, time and (as you are already doing) a lot of self TLC 🌸

[Louisa1840 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks D.L. that was such a quick response! I was amused to hear "Crook" are you an Aussie?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louisa1840]

No, but I’ve known as few over the years through hubby being in Army..and my daughter & family have lived in NZ for 15 years - been there - so picked up the lingo 😂🤣…like to make people feel at home 😉hope you soon feel better

[Rose54]

HiI was diagnosed with PMR in Aug 2015 but a few years before that had two bad viral infections .

Both coincided with having major work on the house 1 rewiring and 2 Bathroom remodelled.

For both I stayed with my Mum .

I felt fine when I woke up but walked down the stairs and was exhausted so just sat and read all watched TV all day .

I did walk the dog to the end of the road in the afternoon a 5 min walk took half a hour .

It lasted about 4 weeks and suddenly I began to feel much better .

So just carry on doing as you are

Wishing you all the best

Rose

[Louisa1840 in reply to Rose54]

Thanks for the encouragement Rose!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

When I had "proper" flu about 20 years ago, pre-PMR, pre-pred, and as a relatively young and healthy person it took months to for me to recover fully.

In your case I suspect that it isn't being helped by the dose of pred you are on. It is at the not-so-sweet spot" where adrenal suppression is probably at its maximum and your dose is enough to function normally but not enough to help in recovery from illness. Normally when you are ill the body signals its need for cortisol to help recover and spikes of cortisol are produced in response - in adrenal insufficiency it doesn't work. That is the reason for the Sick Day Rules (see the FAQs for a link to an explanation).

It is probably worth speaking to your GP and asking if you could/should up the pred dose for a short time to aid recovery.

Maybe the fatigue link here may help:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk......

[MrsNails]

Hi LouisaSo sorry to hear you’ve been unwell & it’s left you with post viral fatigue on top on the PMR DF 😥

This isn’t going to be an easy fix as it’ll take its time, rest, more rest & if you can get to sit outside just for a while each day may help 🙏🏼 at least you have Spring to look forward to & better days ahead.

Take Good Care of Yourself.

Hugs

Angela 💐

[piglette]

When I got to 5mg I got the Deathly Fatigue, I had trouble putting my arm out to switch on the radio when I was lying in bed. I did go up to 6mg and it improved a bit. It really is a dreadful experience.

[Louisa1840 in reply to piglette]

Hi Piglette it's getting a little better - at least I can get up and have ashower and do a few things before collapsing on the couch again. Do you remember when life was normal?

[piglette in reply to Louisa1840]

In my case it has not got back to real normal, although I can get out and swim again. I do find it still means I have to put a lot of effort into actually getting up and doing things and will put them off if I can. It is much better though.

[Linda20]

Hi Louisa, what a whammy to be hit with. As someone else said, sit in the sun when you can (given our inclement spring weather). Build up some of that natural Vitamin D. Hope you continue to feel better.

[Louisa1840 in reply to Linda20]

Thanks Linda. Yes the sunshine is a bit hard to find given Tassie's capricious Spring weather at present but I get out whenever I can. I am feeling a lot better today!