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Can a common cold trigger a (severe) relapse?

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Posted 12/24/2016 12:15 AM (GMT -5)
Hi, Everyone -

I know we are approaching a major holiday weekend, but if anyone is online the next few days, I sure would appreciate any thoughts or experiences you are willing to share with me.

Here's what's going on in a nutshell:

Despite the fact that I am house-bound by my CFS, somehow I contracted a mild cold, or possibly a low-grade flu. The nose, sinus, throat symptoms are not a big deal to me.

What is causing me unbearable misery, is that this cold/flu seems to have triggered a full on relapse unbelievably quickly. CFS symptoms that had lessened in intensity are back with a vengeance: dizziness/instability, palpitations, muscle aches, joint pain, poor circulation/venous pooling in legs, bitter chills, and of course ... fatigue that simply cannot be overcome. I feel so "heavy" that I can only stand for a few minutes at a time, and I have been confined to the sofa or bed for the past 5 days.

So I guess my question is, has this happened to you? Can something as small as cold cause such a relapse?

It doesn't feel like I am going to be returning to my baseline level of CFS symptoms anytime soon, so I am quite despondent.

Again, any thoughts or experiences you are willing to share about your experiences with a cold or flu would be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,
Zebra
Posted 1/7/2017 8:32 PM (GMT -5)
Hello Zebra,
I'm sorry to hear that you are having a relapse and not feeling well over the holiday.
I decided to reply even though it's after the time you were looking to hear back.
Just about the time you posted this, actually, about 3 days before, I came down with some
chills and cold symptoms. We're having rain and damp weather where I live and I was out and
about. Three days later I was in the doctor's office. Unlike, what you had, mine was a very
nasty sore throat, constant cough and very congested head situation. Plus, my whole body
hurt all over. I also had trouble standing without getting light headed. I was given a strong
cough medicine and told that I had 'the virus which is going around which many people have'.
Luckily, I was able to sleep and rest. I was told it would take 4 wks. to feel better.
This is about week four. I am up and about but still tired. I have a herpes sore on my
upper lip now. Just when I thought I'd gotten over all this.
I don't know if this is of any help, but what I can tell, disturbances such as colds
and flues can certainly activate our immune systems and cause flare ups. Are you doing
any better now?
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