Amy's Story - from Athletic Go-Getter to Homebound - and Back Up Again

Source of the Story

Provided to Health Rising

Resource Type

Report or Study

Name

Amy

Diagnosis

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Disease Course Over Time

Amy, a dedicated runner training for half marathon and working 60 hour weeks feels more and more fatigue. When longer runs leave her feverish, she has to cut down her running (to her dismay) but her energy continues to dive as she suffers from frequent colds. Within a year she's unable to work and becomes mostly home and bed bound; therapists accuses her of not wanting to get well.

After taking Valcyte, she is still unable to exercise but an be active all day, walks and does yoga for exercise, is working freelance. She still takes Valcyte as of a year or so ago and is hoping for more improvement.

Type of Onset

gradual non-flu like

Duration

2-5 years

Functionality at it's Worst

Mostly homebound

Symptoms

fatigue, fevers, colds

Antiviral or Immune Modulators That Made a Difference for You

Valcyte

Positive Test Results

HHV-6 infection

Present State of Health

1. Leads near normal life but cannot exercise vigorously

Practitioner Associated With Recovery

Martin Lerner

Words of Advice

I am up all day, active with my kids, volunteering at school, working freelance, and, for the most part, caring for the house (or decidedly letting it go). Now, more days than not, I feel like I could go for a run, but I’ve learned my lesson and replaced running with walking and yoga. I’m not 100%, yet, but I’ve found a new normal, and I’m enormously grateful for the support of my incredible family and the amazing work of Dr. Lerner.