Hi,

I have been suffering with an illness for 1.5 years which started out as brain fog/pressure, dizziness (not vertigo) when leaning forward. Then came the tinnitus, IBS, chronic insomnia (first couldn't sleep, now reversed - can sleep but wake up during the night and always around 06:00). Also Carpal Tunnel, Neck/Shoulder pain, depression, anxiety/fear, spaced out feelings etc.etc.etc. I 've been to numerous docs/specialists and they have dx (Carp.Tunnel, CFS/ME, Adrenal exhaustion, TMJ and impacted Wisdom tooth).

The Adrenal exhaustion diagnosis fits (obtained from a saliva DHEA/CORTISOL done privately). It showed low midnight cortisol but elevated DHEA. I can't find any info on the net with regards ELEVATED DHEA, only low cortisol and low DHEA. Also, at the least stress or conflict I start shaking, my (aldreay) hoarse voice gets worse my and I start to panic even more. When I calm down I'm back to normal (I wish!)

I don't think I have ME becuase I can still work and function during the day. I am still working full time. The bothersome things during the day are dizziness, panic (when having to socialise/speak to people - as I get these shocks and feel the need to escape!). My enegery feels very low in the late afternoon and by evening recently I'm exhausted. When I lie in front of the TV a) I'm worried about what it's doing to my adrenals (apparantly watching TV exhausts the ad's) and b) I get pain from resting the back of my head on a cushon or pillow. It then radiates over my head and I get forehead pressure and weird Pain.

Anyway, my real issue is.... my personality type always likes to have answers
and be in control of things (that's why I never liked to be drunk?), so I am have started to go for Accupuncture, Accumassage, Spiritual Healing, Hydrotherapy, Reflexology, Essensial Oil Massage.
The trouble is that this is costing an absolute fortune. I feel moderately better after all of these treatments but don't know which one is giving me the most benifit.

I've even started taking loads of multivit's (Ginko Biloba, Zinc, Megnesium, Garlic, Echenchea, pro-biotics, source of life (high B complex and greens drink), omega 3-6-9. Again, all costing a small fortune.

Add this to all the private consultations, tests and scans, I have spent in the regon of £8-10k in the last 16 months. Now I'm not even sure the M.E/CFS diagnosis is valid. I still feel the same as day one and am worrying even more now.

Also, I worry about taking too many tablets (especially the toxic ones!). The only one that is working for me at the moment and helping the vivid dreams/nightmares is Zopiclone (Ativan?). Then I may be getting addicted to that! Normal herbal stuff just doesn't seem to work. I've tried Antidepressents but after one or two tablets my symptoms get worse, and I get extremely nervous/anxious hence I stop taking the tablet.

My last hope is visit to an endrocologist and a SPECT scan which as been ordered for me. Also, a second Neurologist. Should I have a new Brain MRI as the last one was done December 2003.

Thanks for listening. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Mike.X

Hi Mike

Argh, poor you! What a horrible year. I totally emphathize.

Your ME/CFS diagnosis will only be valid once a medical professional tells you that all other illnesses have been ruled out.

Don't worry about taking too many tablets, especially all those multivitamins and stuff. I take: CoQ10, Selenium, Vits A, C and E, Vit B12, magnesium, zinc and iron!!!! Some days I look at my medicine cabinet and long for the days when all it contained was a small packet of paracetamol!

Zopiclone can be addictive and you're right to be concerned about it. However, so long as you're taking exactly the dose prescribed by the doctor, it's fine. If you're sleeping until 6am and feel you can sleep without the pills, try that.

Antidepressants for CFS should be taken in the evening (apparently), so if you were on something like Prozac and taking it in the morning, it could easily have made your symptoms worse. My advice: don't bother with antidepressants unless you are depressed.

Have you had a thyroid profile done yet? It's just your symptoms really are very similar to those people with thyroid problems (including the hoarse voice). According to the doctor I work for, the TSH can rise years after the symptoms start, which doesn't help with diagnosis either.

I don't know what else to say. I'm off to see my doctor this afternoon to ask whether she'll put me on a trial of thyroxine after my TSH came back as 3.3 - my guess is she'll say no. :rolleyes: But I have to try...

Going to see an endo is a good idea because so many of your symptoms sound like hypothyroidism.

Also, maybe something to help you relax? I know that's difficult - everyone around me says I'm always stressed and angry about things! But I think you also need to do stuff to take your mind off everything. I don't know how to put that in a way that it doesn't sound like an easy thing to do. I know it's not, believe me.

kiya