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About four weeks ago, I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold. At the onset of illness, my body usually reacts by devoting most of my energy to fighting the infection so I don't actually get sick. I have a pretty good immune system, and this usually works. I often feel almost sick for a day or two and have no energy, and then I'm fine. I expected this thing to do the same. I had the hint of a sore throat and I was a little bit congested--nothing to worry about, really. As usual, I had no energy, but it was the long weekend, so I rested a lot, hoping I wouldn't actually get all the way sick.
Four weeks later I feel exactly the same way I did then, pretty much. Some days are better than others, but I usually have no energy (main symptom), along with a VERY mild sore throat and a little congestion.
Two weeks ago I finally gave up and went to the doctor. I figured I would be told there was nothing to do about what I had, and I was right. I was tested for Strep, just in case, and I don't have that. The doctor also asked me about nearly every symptom imaginable. I have no pain in my sinuses or lymph nodes, no problems with my ears, no weight gain or loss, no body aches or pains, no fever, and so on. He even looked at my hands for signs of something . . . don't remember what.
But to me, four weeks is too long for your average bug to hang around. I haven't been overdoing anything. I've taken off some work and some school, I spend every weekend doing practically nothing, I'm sleeping at least 8 hours every single night, and I often get more than that.
Any ideas what I might have? At what point should I go back to the doctor?
I'm tired of being sick. Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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No. It had actually occurred to me that I might be allergic to something--and to my doctor too, actually. He suggested I try going off dairy for a month and see how it goes. I've been off dairy (mostly) for two weeks now. I miss ice cream terribly, and I'm not getting much better!
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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What you're describing sounds like what happens to me when seasonal allergies hit. Perhaps you should take some Claratin (actually, I use Allavert-- cheaper and tastes better to me).
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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The problem is, I have an odd reaction to allergy meds and decongestants. I feel simultaneously wired (jittery) and fatigued. It's so bad that I usually would rather suffer from allergies than take medicine for them.
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Brinestone, I got sick during Christmas break (when I was in Utah), and I didn't get better until the end of January with exactly those symptoms. My baby brother has that now - he's been sniffling and coughing for two weeks now.
Drink lots of water, take drugs when you can, wash hands constantly, and rest as much as you can - you won't get better faster, but you'll feel better in the meantime.
Posts: 1163 | Registered: Jan 2005
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I'm sorry to hear that, kat, but in a way, I'm also relieved to hear that I might still just have a long-lived flu or cold.
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Brinestone, it seems like so many people have endless bugs like this. Keep checking in with the doctor regularly, if it is not getting better. Most important" rest. Don't push yourself too hard.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Brinestone, I was sick for weeks and weeks with this crud too. No energy, sniffly, general blahness. I did have a round of antibiotics for broncitis. But mostly, it was a general blah yuck, don't have any energy type of thing.
And I was congested in both head and chest. After 6 weeks, I started to get better, and feel mostly 100% except for the occasional day when I get wheezy and feel like I have broncitis again. It comes and goes.
Hope you feel better soon.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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