I am 25 years old and have been ill since I was 20. I developed tonsillitis,
and unless I was on antibiotics I would have a terrible sore throat and all
the glands in my neck would swell up, making it seem difficult to swallow.
Fore one year after my surgery I was exhausted. My doctor thought I had
a sleeping disorder and put me on sleeping pills. This did not help. I could
and still can sleep more than 14 hours a day (7-9 used to be a lot for me).
The next year I came down with a sore throat, diagnosed as a sinus infection
that has never gone away. I was on Cipro and serveral other antibiotics for
about seven months. I feel better when I am on antibiotics. It is the only
time I have any enery at all. I was then put on Claritin. It seemed to stop
the sore throats, somewhat, but I was still exhausted. I was also put on
Vancenese. This with the Claritin stopped the sinus infection but I would
still have swollen glands (constantly) and have a sore throat off and on
(always exhausted).
I was allergy tested and tried different allergy medicines. Nothing worked. What is strange is my allergies seem a lot better than when I was young. I tried nasalcrom and it kept the sinus infection away for 5 months (still fatigued) but it started making my throat swell up. These past couple of months I have been so miserable. I went to another allergist, got retested and tried all of her suggestions. I have three huge air purifers in a small one bedroom apartment. I have tried several diets, excercise, water, entex, vancanese double strenghth, got my carpets cleaned, and vinyl covered my bed and pillows. I stopped wearing makeup, changed everything, even changed jobs (I thought maybe I was in a "sick building") . Nothing has helped. I even had all of the metal filling in my mouth taken out. I do not drink alcohol anymore.
I am convinced that my problems are not allergies. I had a ct scan and it said I had mild chronic sinunidis. The ENTs did not think that they could help me. I feel like I am constantly fighting an illness. I think this is why I am so exhausted. I even went on Prozac to see if it could be mental reasons causing my illness. It did not help. I have a twin sister with the exact same symptons. We both have swollen glands, sore throats and thick mucus in the backs of our throats. I have even been to a stomach doctor and put on propulsid (the Claritin constapets me). Nothing helps.
It started when I was in college and have moved home and then to an
apartment, so I don't think it is where I live. I feel so sorry for my
husband. I am zero fun. Every night I am so exhausted after work I just
have to sit or to sleep. I am not overweight, I have trouble gaining weight.
I eat healthy and take excellent care of myself.
I do not know what doctor to see. One other strange thing, I never, ever since I got my tonsils out, I have NO drianage out of my nose. I always had drainage out my nose. I never had any in my throat. I haven't had a true cold in 5 years. I feel as if my tonsil operation has deteriorated my life. I know I needed them out, they were so large they had grown nodules on them. I just don't know where to go from here. I am sleeping more and more. I have been tested for Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. I also had am immune system test. I have not heard the results, but was told she would call me last week if there was something weird. My sister's blood test said she was fighting some infection. I feel so good only when I am on antibiotics. Otherwise I just want to sleep. The mucus and every symptom goes away if I am on antibiotics. But if I even miss one day then I am terribly ill.
If you can offer any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I am tired of living a "half life".
Reply: -----------------------
What I have culled from your post is that you have chronic excessive fatigue that is variably associated with sore throats, swollen neck glands, and/or excess mucous and the constellation of symptoms generally improves when on antibiotics. You appear to have had a thorough allergy and ENT assessment although I am a little unclear as to the reference to a "mild sinusitis" seen on your CT scan - I assume this means there is some thickening of the sinus lining that is felt to be minimally significant and not a likely primary source for your symptoms.
I am not sure what you mean by a test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but assume this means you have had Ebstein Barr virus serology performed. I also make the assumption that you have had a thorough evaluation by your primary care physician which includes an assessment of your red and white blood cell count, liver and kidney function, thyroid tests, and glucose tolerance.
If these assumptions are not correct then I would direct you back to your primary care physician for a comprehensive physical examination. If the assumptions are correct, then 2 additional suggestions come to mind:
1) I would recommend consideration for a formal sleep evaluation at a local sleep disorders center. This evaluation would entail spending an evening at the center for a test known as a polysomnogram which is used to measure your sleep health.
2) I would also recommend consideration for a consultation with an infectious disease specialist given the consistent improvement experienced when on antibiotics.
--
Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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