Could it be M.E?

Question

For the past couple of weeks I have found it very difficult to concentrate at work. I can't seem to focus on what I am reading, and find my mind wandering all the time. I am also exhausted. Not just tired, but completely drained of all energy. I sat on the sofa last night and I couldn't move. I also keep getting sharp pains all over my body, in particular underneath my feet which I have never had before and I keep having really black moods where I just want to cry. Thinking back, I feel very similar to how I felt after I had had meningitis, but I put that down to post viral fatigue. I had a cold a couple of weeks ago that took ages to shake off, but I haven't really felt right since. I have done a bit of research, and am wondering if it could be M.E. Before I get abuse, I am not lazy, I am happy and secure in my marriage and work and I am not imagining it. Is there anyone out there with M.E who could offer advice? If its not M.E. what else could it be? Please help.

Answer 1

I have had M.E. for over 10 years now. It is hard to tell if it could be M.E. because you mention that you have only been feeling this way for weeks. I hate to tell you but you must go see a doctor who will wait at least 6 months to to all other tests and, most importantly, to see if it is depression. Then, they may send you for a test for M.E. (it is never conclusive, but some abnormalities may show up on MRI scans).

I have a cold at the moment. I have had it since the start of September and expect it to last most, if not all, of the winter. So it may not be as severe as M.E. but could be, as others have suggested, CFIDS, or Fibromyalgia. These illnesses can cause depression, and it works the other way too, but doctors tend to focus on the latter, so don't be ashamed of admitting depression.

M.E. is a neurological condition and is often confused with CFIDS, but one thing you haven't mentioned is sleep. I can sleep 36 hours straight, or get up after 4 hours and nap all day, or my day can become night and night become day (like on nightshift). Since you have not metioned sleep disturbances, I would rule out M.E. and possibly CFIDS. You may have either of these, but very unlikely with no sleep disturbances.

To me, it sounds more like:

Your immume system is just going through a bad patch, or
You are depressed (you can have a good, happy life and be depressed), or
It could be Fibromyalgia.

Whatever it is, if is if M.E., CFIDS, or Fibro, don't let anyone tell you it's all in your head. They are very real conditions, and most will never understand how you feel until they feel it themselves. You are not lazy, and anyone that tells you that is ignorant of the damage it does. It's not about getting a free pass to be lazy, it's about watching your life and potential slip by, watching friends and family abandon you. It's about the loneliness when nobody wants to know, it's about the abuse you get from those that think you chose to be like this and constant hating of yourself for never being able to do normal things.

One thing I will say, is that I pray from the bottom of my heart that you don't have M.E., because you can read about it, or know someone with it, but when they day comes and you realise that you life ended the day your body began to fail on you, it's just not a place you can imagine yourself in, and why others have difficulty understanding. I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

Answer 2

Of course it is not laziness. You are exhausted if you could not even get off the sofa. It certainly could be M.E. or any of the Chronic Fatigue illnesses. The feeling in your feet is what is worrisome. Please see a doctor as soon as possible. I think you will get many answers on here with people knowing how you feel, but it may not help if you haven't been examined. Many of the auto-immune diseases mimic other illness too.

Good luck. Please keep trying until you get a diagnosis.

Answer 3

Fibromyalgia

Symptoms
The variety and severity of symptoms caused by fibromyalgia vary from person to person. Widespread, chronic pain—often described as deep or burning—is the most common symptom. This pain is more common in the body, hips, and shoulders, and it is rare in the hands and feet. It usually develops gradually and can interfere with even simple daily activities.
Other symptoms that commonly occur in addition to pain include:

Fatigue that interferes with work and daily activities.
Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up feeling tired).
Less commonly, people with fibromyalgia may have:

Morning stiffness lasting less than an hour.
Headaches.
Constipation or diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome.
Memory problems and difficulty concentrating.
Anxiety or depression.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Symptoms


The main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a devastating tiredness or exhaustion that has lasted at least 6 months and does not improve much with rest. This fatigue also is so severe that it interferes with your work, your play, and your social activities. The fatigue and other symptoms described below may begin suddenly or they may develop gradually over weeks or months.

Other long-term symptoms include:

Forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating.
Sore throat.
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
Muscle pain.
Joint pain without redness or swelling.
Headaches that are different from other headaches you have had in the past.
Unrefreshing sleep (waking up feeling tired or unrested).
I personally have a thyroid disease, Graves.
Hashimoto's disease. See your doctor.
The classic symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
Lethargy, fatigue, weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Dry skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Depression
Decreased libido
Reduced heart rate
Development of goiter

The problem is that most women with hypothyroidism have few or none of these symptoms. Instead, they may experience more dramatic or subtle ones such as weight gain, skin problems, abnormal menstrual cycles (irregularity, heavy periods, loss of periods, or dysfunctional uterine bleeding).

Answer 4

Why not make an appointment with your doctor? Your symptoms may be caused by any number of complaints, including just plain exhaustion, but there is nobody on this forum who can give you a definite answer so it is silly to rely on any diagnosis or treatment advice you may receive here.

Go and see your GP!!

P.S. Hope you feel better soon xx

Answer 5

I think you should see your doctor....it might be something more simple like anaemia due to iron deficiency which can make you feel tired, unable to concentrate and depressed. You may still have a viral infection. There are many things that it could be so instead of trying to guess and thinking the worst just see your doctor!!

Answer 6

The extreme tiredness and problems with feet suggest to me that you could test positive for diabetes. Black moods and /or a short temper could indicate high blood sugars. My advice would be to ask your doctor or practice nurse for a glucose tolerance test - this will show for certain if it is diabetes, if not then there are other conditions causing tiredness - thyroid disorders and anaemia amongst a few. I would seek medical advice!!

Answer 7

it could be that ur body is run down, try having a tonic, to get ur body back on track or vitamins, but if u have any doubt go and see ur doctor, they can do various test if u are very worried. sometimes u might have symptoms which are very close to certain diseases, but that doesn't mean u may have M.E. and worrying about it can sometimes make u feel worse go and check with ur doc first.

Answer 8

Some thyroid disorders can be cured, but many require lifetime treatment. Learn here https://tr.im/9gjRP
For example, sometimes early stage thyroid cancer can be cured by surgery to remove the thyroid gland, but you will need to take thyroid hormone medication afterwards for the rest of your life. Goiters can also be surgically removed and do not always recur after surgery. In most cases, thyroid disorders need treatment over a lifetime. However, with treatment most people with thyroid disorders can live normal, healthy lives.

Answer 9

i think you should see a doctor,my aunty has ME she can sleep anything up to 6 hours in the day and then have an energy boost do all the housework, then sleep for another 3-4 hours.
do go to your doctor, it might be nothing but they could give you the right treatment, good luck

Answer 10

Get your thyroid checked, it could be underactive. I've put the web address of a good site, check the symptoms. I would get a full blood test either way.