I am interested to see how you get on, and wishing you the best. I was also hit with a virus in the summer of 1997, it was like the worst flu ever, that would not go away. Being proud of my stamina, and the fact that I never got sick, I kept trying to push through it. I was the mother of three teens, President of our local Chamber of Commerce and running two businesses with my husband. I should have listened to my body and stayed in bed. I ended up damaging my heart and causing Dilated Cardiomyopathy and damaging my neurological system. Took a long time to get a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia, and the treatment was anti depressants. That only added constipation to the mix and when I reported that to the doctor, I was informed that is not a side effect of the medication. I changed Dr's, got referrals to a Rheumatologist and a Neurologist. These three doctors have taken me seriously and the Rheumatologist is the one who discovered the heart damage. I have simply learned to plan, pace and ask for help. The Cardiologist has me on medication so my heart won't have to work so hard and to control blood pressure. I believe the heart damage is a result of my body trying to keep me alive in spite of my failure to listen to it. The Cardiologist tried to add Lipitor to the mix over a year ago and I have not been back since. All the doctors believe my illness was cause by a virus but that it was too late to defiantly identify, (it is suspected coxsackie). At present I still take the heart medications plus a B12 shot monthly. My point is don't over due it and listen to your body. I am still trying to get well, but at present considered disabled. Wishing you the best.
