A Decades Long Struggle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Ends

Source of the Story

Provided to Health Rising

Resource Type

Patient Story

Name

Kate

Diagnosis

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Disease Course Over Time

In 1987 Kate, a very active and fit high school teacher gets a flu that really, really doesn't end; she experiences fever, chills, muscle and joint pain and fatigue, extreme sweating, tremor, memory problems, poor sleep, hair loss, swollen glands, increase urinary frequency, dizziness, night sweats. Twenty-five years later she is still ill.

Dr. Lerner finds an HHV-6 infection and prescribes Valcyte 1350 mg daily. She is to do no exercise.

She is now rates herself at a 9 our of 10 in health, teaches college, hosts large dinners, leads youth groups, exercises regularly, etc.

Type of Onset

acute flu-like

Approximate Date of Illness Began

1980-1990

Duration

>20 years

Symptoms

Fever, chills, muscle and joint pain and fatigue, extreme sweating, tremor, memory problems, poor sleep, hair loss, swollen glands, increase urinary frequency, dizziness, night sweats.

Antiviral or Immune Modulators That Made a Difference for You

Valcyte

Positive Test Results

HHV-6

Present State of Health

1. Fully recovered - no restrictions at all

Words of Advice

DON'T give up finding a doctor who will listen and work with you.
NO-you are not depressed. However you have every right to be.
NO-it is not your hormones because you are a woman. It is not in your head. (Well it is, but in your all body too.)
NO-exercise will not help. Actually it hurts because the virus multiplies with heat.

My prayer now is for a young doctor who will want to continue Dr. Lerner's work.