need help finding the cause! (chronic fatigue & chronic dry irritated eyes)

Italian Smile

New member
Hello, I posted this in the thyroid section as I believe I could be hypothyroid, but I wanted to post here too to see what other causes people think could be possible. I have had many tests done and nothing serious was found, I just recently decided to go to see a private doctor and typed up all my problems in a letter for him, this is it:

"About 5 and a half years ago I suddenly became extremely fatigued. I was soon unable to go to school and spent all of my time resting and sleeping long hours. The symptoms included:
Constant physical and mental fatigue.
Inability to fall asleep, un-refreshing sleep, incredibly easily disturbed whilst asleep.
Extremely poor immune system (I continually got long colds despite rarely going outside)
Intolerance to heat, I had always been abnormally intolerant to heat, and comfortable in far colder conditions then others. But I became FAR more intolerant when I became fatigued, which has led me to believe I may have had an underline medical problem from a young age.
I developed dark purple colouration on the skin under my eyes.
(I am unsure if this is significant, but I also noticed at some point during the illness that urination and bowel movements increased dramatically and continues to this day.)

I think this happened shortly after a virus; however I am unsure as it was quite some time ago. My Doctor did some tests for various causes, when examining I was told multiple times I had swollen glands under my chin. I was also told my white blood cell count was slightly below normal. Nothing serious was found and I was told I had Chronic Fatigue.

This chronic fatigue continued for 4 and a half years, the entire time the illness was severely dehabilitating, I was constantly physically and mentally exhausted at all times. I found it impossible to fall asleep, when I finally did I found it very hard to get up the next day and spent most of the day in bed. I really feel my problems weren
 
Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder, can cause dry eye, fatigue and chronic cough. It can also be set off by a viral illness.

Medical info sites on the web often don't list all the symptoms of SS and only list "dry mouth and eyes". This page from the NIH is better than most http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sjogrens/sjogrens.htm

Symptoms vary widely between patients.

Good luck, I hope you find some answers soon, whatever they are. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting for a "mystery" diagnosis.
 
I have had the exact same symptoms for 12 years and was diagnosed with Multiple Schlerosis in 1997. If this is illness is diagnosed for you then you should get on an MS drug therapy right away. It really does help! I have been taking Betaseron for the MS as well as Provigil for fatigue. The only other things you can do is to stay out of the heat and don't overwork yourself. Take breaks every 20 minutes if you are standing for long periods of time or looking at a monitor too long. It is also attitude! Stay positive and keep an "I can do anything" attitude! Works for me. :)
 
Back
Top