Post viral strange symptoms

Brain and nerves
1

Hi all,

I had what I believe was some sort of viral infection almost 4 weeks ago now, and I am still suffering from odd symptoms now which do not seem to be going away.

It started with a strange cold sensation on the side of my head, almost like it was in my inner ear, and it was more intense when I was in a cold environment. I was waking up with night sweats and getting randomly hot mostly in the evenings, particularly around my neck and face. I also seemed to be particularly sensitive to light, noticing pink blotches in my vision and long-lasting afterimages after looking at something bright. It then developed into a horrible sore throat and nausea, more classic cold-like symptoms, which went away after a few days. A few days later I was left with various other symptoms which have mostly been persistent for 3-4 weeks now:

light-sensitivity

tiredness

insomnia

weakness in arms and legs

back pain

aches in arms and legs (which has largely worn off now)

shaky vision - when I look at vertical/horizontal lines (e.g. door frame) they seem to shudder

shortness of breath

stomach upset

occasional mild nausea

Do these symptoms sound familiar to others? I know a lot of people have been suffering with this for much longer, and for me it has only been around 3-4 weeks, but it is really getting me down as I have had to put my life on hold. I suffer from health anxiety so I have been very stressed and going back and forth to doctors, so I'm sure this isn't helping my recovery. I've had various tests (blood tests, MRI scan) which have shown up nothing, so I'm no longer concerned that it is anything serious but I just want to get back to my normal self again. Is it unusual to still be feeling like this after what felt like a fairly mild infection?

 

2

Hey Markus,

I've had about 100% of the symptoms you've had over the course of about 3.5 months now.

Early January, a few days after swimming and getting in a hot tub new years day, developed headaches. Mostly in the temples, behind the eyes. A few days after that woke up with "brain fog" or a severe difficulty concentrating, and really bad fatigue.

I had some mild night sweats around my neck and some very mildly swollen lymoh nodes.

My biggest concern and issue has been that I also woke up one day and had left eat tinnitus and a constant need to pop it to equalize the pressure. It's been a daily thing for 3 months. And also a sort of very slight light headed feeling or occasionally slightly off balance.

But at some point I've had the weird vision (I know exactly what you mean when you describe it), light and sound sensitivity, aches, and indegestion and very rarely nausea. I can't currently tolerate alcohol nor caffeine, one beer makes me feel like I got hit by a truck the next day and coffee destroys my stomach.

My PCP is at a loss as to what it is, I'm fairly certain it's eustachian tube dysfunction and some post viral illness from some kind of ear infection. She says this is unlikely because I had no WBC count on my first visit but this was over 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

I FINALLY this week, after feeling like crap for months, have got some relief. The main reason appears to be dropping the worry about all of it.

I have an ENT appointment but not for another 2 weeks at which point I'll get an MRI and then rule out anything serious. I am not an anxious person and never have been, and Im freakishly healthy. I rock climb 3 days a week and run and bike in the mountains, so I didn't really realize that I was experiencing anxiety. When I figured it out and really jus slowed things down and put it into perspective things started to feel better.

I'll keep you updated on the ENT visit and MRI since this sounds alot like my stuff.

Good luck!

Seth

3

I can't read all of what you said because of the long block of text and not enough spaces. But did you take antibiotics?

4

Hi Seth,

Thanks for replying, I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with this for so long.

It's funny you mention the hot tub because right at the beginning of all this I did hot yoga for the first time, which involved doing pretty intense yoga in an extremely hot room for over an hour. Whether this is just a coincidence or not, but I wonder if it somehow intensified the infection.

I have also had tinnitus almost continuously. I don't really notice it unless I'm in complete silence (went to a meditation session this week, and it really aggravated me). I've been going to bed with rainstorm sounds on my laptop though, which helps to block it out.

I also forgot to mention the alcohol intolerance, makes me feel horrible, AND I also believe I may have some eustachian tube issues on my right side as I occasionally have hearing problems out of that ear. It's a bizarre thing as every now and again sound becomes distorted and almost robotic. I've had this on and off for about a year now.

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and I believe you're right that the worrying, stress and lack of sleep really exacerbates everything. I'm less concerned now that my MRI test and blood tests have come back normal, so please let me know how you get on.

Thanks again.

5

Hi Marcus,

If you have post viral syndrome/fatigue you'll need to have it for 6months before you can see if its cfs/me from that. I'd like to comment on the shakey eyes as I too get that and the tinnitus. I feel if I do too much my eyes 'oscillate' for a period of time. I have to shut them to make it calm down. The tinnitus-at its worst was louder than the noise in a shopping centre. Mostly just the usual annoying noise though. Unlike you, I get hot ear! I feel It go red hot and it glows red too. Also my cheek will do the same sometimes. I think its just the body trying to fight something that's not there. My friend who had PVS before cfs/me also has the tinnitus and quite a few people do it seems. She also gets red cheeks and sinuses. I have many of your symptoms plus some others. Its such a mixed bag this condition.

Do you feel you get unrefreshed sleep? The memory isssues and brain fog? With PVS people can recover early on so hopefully you will. Just make sure you rest well.

Best wishes

Beverley

6

Sorry Seth I should've replied to you directly! See my message further down the thread.

7

Thanks for the reply. I did have some tingling in my arms and legs for a couple of days actually, but thankfully it has gone now, also a few twitches but nothing too noticeable. 

As sorry as I am that others are suffering with these odd symptoms, it's also reassuring to know that I am not the only one.

8

Hi Beverley,

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I am probably overreacting to a degree as it has only been around 3 weeks, so hopefully it will clear up in time. Funnily enough I do get a hot ear sometimes as well! It can be the left or the right one, but it's always just the one and never both. You're right that it is a real mixed bag, there are SO many different symptoms that are quite scary.

Unfortunately I am really struggling with insomnia, which is making everything so much worse. I have had numerous tests to rule out anything serious so hopefully now I am less anxious I might be able to sleep better. I am sure that the stress, anxiety and lack of sleep has been a major factor in me not recovering already. I have been taking Zopiclone for a few days to help me sleep, but to be honest I feel like it's making me so groggy that the next day I feel even worse. It seems like my symptoms have become more pronounced since I've been taking it.

9

Hi Markus,

Ah, you too with the hot ear : ) I think it's kind of funny sometimes. It would be easy to worry about the symptoms if they weren't so common with people with the condition.

I'm not so bad with the insomnia but many seem to have it as part of their symptoms. My friend suffers with It alot. I don't have refreshed sleep but, only get up to go to the loo, not due to sleep disruption. I know it can be really hard to shake.

I wouldn't worry about being concerned so early on, your body/mind is saying "mmm, something's not right" although the Nhs has a rule of 6months, doesn't mean the symptoms aren't there. Be gentle with yourself. You mention yoga and meditation. If you are still able to do these, I'd say carry on with them. Don't try if you're feeling really groggy though.

I hope you notice a decline in symptoms and return to your usual way of being soon.

Best wishes

Beverley

10

Btw, you may be sensitive to the sleep meds. Its like the body becomes more sensitive to things. I can't take strong painkillers as I'm totally wiped out with them. I know you mentioned other sensitivity. My friend takes the kalms? A herbal sleep remedy.

Hope that helps

B

11

Hi,Markus. A very high percentage of people have onset of ME/CFS due to a virus or bacterial infection, often along with stress. So the best advice I could give you is to find some way to de-stress, be it meditation, listening to music, deep breathing, doing yoga if you're able--whatever it takes. Four weeks is a very short time to start worrying about a disease like ME/CFS. But to minimize your chances of having the virus evolve into this disease, get plenty of rest, and whatever you do, don't push yourself. Just being tired does not indicate ME/CFS, but extreme fatigue might indicate ME/CFS. In addition to post-exertional fatigue. At this point, though, you might just be recovering from the virus and need more time to get over it.

12

I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this.. First, ruled out any medical condition with your doctor, like all of us did! Exams, blood tests, MRIs, Cat scans, cardiologist, neurologist etc etc etc. Me personally after going through all this and no hope, I decided to go the Natural way, like Holistic/Homeophaty or Chinese medicine! For me Chinese herbs are helping me a lot and I can say that I do feel like myself again. Hope you find the help you need...take care!

13

Yes, totally agreed with Jackie! Rest, don't push yourself, listen to your body! Hopefully you do not have ME/CFS.

14

I've heard this before Mark, and the extreme flu virus I got, when I was extremely healthy and happy, was when I was camping in a field! Then sometimes later I got ME for no apparent reason.

15

Robotic! I hear sounds that are sometimes robotic and it feels electrifying, and I have tinitus. I only noticed it when I moved to a quiet village and I wondered where the noises were coming from. It sounds horrible! Like zzzzzzz sometimes and I think there's something really wrong with me! I thought I was the only one!

16

Beverly I wonder if my tinitus came about from using headphones and the phone too much because I can't stand talking on the phone for too long now, it hurts my head.

17

Hi Georgia,

My doctor said it sounds like sometimes fluid builds up in the inner ear, which distorts sound as it enters the ear. It usually only lasts an hour or 2 for me, but it's quite irritating. Voices sound like robots, like that female robot from the film WALL-E. I've looked it up online and thankfully I'm not the only person this happens to!

18

You're right to alleviate worry and I don't know about you, when I got illl I knew it was serioua right away, not only did I keep having to go to sleep in the day time but my best friend said I looked like I'd suddenly aged and another friend said I looked like a ghost. 

Hopefully that's not the case with Marcus but I do think he's right to ask and to learn as much as possible because I was in the dark for so long.

19

Tinitus is one of the symptoms of ME/CFS. I developed tinitus shortly after I got this illness.

20

I've had ME for 10 years and I didn't know that! I sometimes wonder if too much use of technology (electricity) can be one of the triggers for ME because I used to listen to music really loudly through headphones, I can't wear them now.