Thursday, February 16, 2012

Doctor's Visit #2


To be perfectly honest, it's been a tough week. But today's post is not all doom and gloom. There's a really big silver lining that I'll get to by the end of the story.

When we last left our heroine (me) she had been a bit of a naughty girl and had run just a little bit during her Sunday walk. Being that she suffered no ill-effects from the tiny bit of very slow trotting, she decided to repeat the process on Tuesday's walk. And she could totally justify it as a scientific experiment so she could bring valid results to her apothecary (the older Dr Young)

Well Tuesday's experiment was way less successful than Sunday's. I felt fine while I was running and made sure to stop before my heart rate climbed too high  AND I only ran on the flat or down-hill bits. But by the time I'd finished breakfast I was starting to feel a bit ordinary. Tired, nauseated, headachey, achey legs and a bit shivery. I went home and had a nanna nap before I started work. But the sick feeling stayed with me all day.

At my last doctor's visit, he had mentioned that it sounded like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so, like any normal person with an internet connection would do, I Goggled it. SERIOUSLY NOT THE ILLNESS YOU WANT IF YOU'RE A RUNNER. Average recovery length (if you recover at all) is 7 years. That would take me into my mid 50s!! But after my Tuesday run/walk I saw this as a distinct possibility and thinking this way was messing with my mind. The idea of feeling as awful as I do for 7 years or more was horrendous. I was cranky and snappy and a little bit mean to any family member that looked at me the wrong way.

But then I went to see the nice Dr Young. He had the results of my blood tests and there were some unusual abnormalities with my virus tests. I tested positive to having an older Glandular Fever infection but also positive to a very recent infection and that doesn't really make sense. Except that you can get this reaction if you've had a couple of other viruses - Parvovirus (no, not the dog one) or Cytomegalovirus (which Josh had last year). And I'm probably so tired because you can get post viral fatigue after any virus which will knock me around for a little while longer but I will improve gradually over the next couple of months.

In the meanwhile I have the perfect excuse to be lazy - doctor's orders. I can demand help around the house  (something that I'm starting to get better at). I can just lie down when I'm tired at the end of the day (like Iven's been doing for years and I've resented him for). I can go for walks with Bubbles and just make them relaxing walks. And I can sleep in late as much as I want because it's when you're sleeping that the body does its best recovering.

Relief was what I felt first. Followed by elation. I have a name for my condition. I'm not a hypochondriac. I have a plan of action. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

Then I texted a couple of people and posted on Facebook and was swamped with the love that my running squad  is notorious for. I got phone calls from family and friends. And once again felt incredibly blessed that I have such supportive people in my life. And then I felt incredibly tired - there might be light at the end of the tunnel but the end of the tunnel's still a little way off.

Has anyone else had this or known someone who's had it?

17 comments:

  1. Well I'm glad you know what it is at least. It's so tough to be told not to run, I know. Just try to enjoy that permission to be lazy - you might miss it when you are (soon) back to full-fast-running-far -fitness.

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  2. It's one thing wanting to be lazy, but you gotta make time for that. When it's doctor's orders, it's amazing how you can find the time! Happy resting :D

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  3. I hope the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter and you get better sooner rather than later. I am not completely sure what you said you had. Try not to Google too much as I think it can cause more stress than help. Take care and keep playing WWF.

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  4. So you're thinking this is virus related then? If so I hope the fatigue and other symptoms fade fast. In the meantime, rest up and behave like the queen you are!
    You know ive been moaning about fatigue and crappy running for over a year now but I think changing my vitamin D supplement has made a huge difference.

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  5. Crazy! But SO glad you and your doc were able to figure this all out. Now you can concentrate on getting your energy back and getting back out there. I think it's good news all around!

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  6. This is good news - Knowing what you have and treatable.
    Enjoy giving yourself permission to be lazy. You will be running soon.

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  7. Milk it, use it to get your man house trained, I want to hear about him (and the kids) cooking and cleaning while you sit with your feet up!!!

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  8. Gosh girl, this is better than the chronic fatigue and I am so excited that in a mere few months, things will be going much better. Rest up and recovery quickly (and sorry I don't get on FB enough...that thing makes me manic sometimes b/c I spend way too much time on it when I get on it - haha). Bubbles is going to be one happy puppy, I think you'll be doing lots of walking with him. :)

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  9. As I mentioned on FB, it took me about six months of dialling things back before I started going forward - you'll know if you've done too much as you'll get really tired..but recovery does come in good time.

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  10. Well, a few months of recovery sounds much better than 7 years, doesn't it? Enjoy being the princess around the house for the next few weeks!

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  11. Wow, all those viruses sound terrible but still better than the chronic syndrome. Glad you can see the light! Take care!

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  12. Well that is some good news. Keep the chin up and follows Doctor's orders and we'll see some running posts out of you in no time!

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  13. Well thank goodness you are looking at a couple of months rather than YEARS! Enjoy this "lazy" time and get all the rest you can... soon enough you will be training again and wishing for a few extra naps. :)

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  14. Now you know the problem and more important you know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
    Listen to your body now and do what you can do, the time flies and very soon this problem will be only a memory.
    All the best!

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  15. Glad you know what is going on! Hope you recover your energy quickly, but enjoy the time to take it easy.

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  16. How did I not see this and why am I the worst friend ever!?!?! I am so sorry Char. However, I am so glad those boys can get whipped into shape and look after you. Be lazy and I know that everything is happening for a reason - things will get better. :) xoxo

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