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Original poster

Post viral illness

15 replies

mazliz · 16/03/2014 14:20

My 10 year old son, after having headaches, pack pain and abdominal pain for several weeks and many visits to my GP and hospital, was diagnosed with post viral illness. we were told to try and slowly build up his strength and try to take him back to school gradually. The pain is still continuing after 7 weeks, and he managed to go to school for 2 hours, on three days, last week but is so bad when he returns home . the headaches are pretty constant and normal pain killers don't seem to touch the pain.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

OP posts:
CheckpointCharlie · 16/03/2014 14:23

Have no advice but Thanks for your poor son! sounds horrible.

overthemill · 17/03/2014 17:21

This sounds familiar. It is post viral (like after glandular fever) and just takes a while to recover. If he's still ill after 4 months it gets called chronic fatigue syndrome. My dd has this. Rest, nourishing easy to eat food , fresh air if he can will help but tlc is the main thing . Don't push as it just takes time. You might find advice on NHS website.

overthemill · 17/03/2014 17:22

You could ask GP about referral to paed but he may say too soon but they could offer better pain relief, perhaps. Has he had blood test for glandular fever?

Original poster
mazliz · 17/03/2014 23:19

Thanks for your messages, he has had a blood test for glandular fever and other things and they found nothing. its just so hard to see him in pain. i have got an outpatient appointment in paediatrics on 28th, so hope I can get some more help then.

As you say it does seem to take a long time to recover so frustrating and he is so fed up!

OP posts:
overthemill · 18/03/2014 12:03

Good luck at paed appointment and don't be afraid to push, especially for pain relief. Many paeds are not specialist in this area but hopefully you will get someone great!

FerrisBueller1972 · 22/03/2014 13:00

I've just posted on another thread about CFS/ME. My son (8) had Glandular Fever at 7yo, it took 3 blood tests before it came back as positive. A year later he seemed to relapse, after continually being at the Dr's we finally got a referral to a Paediatrician which was Thursday. He has been diagnosed with CFS/ME. They call it Post Viral Fatigue - ds also suffers with the headaches which are now being treated as migraines.

Its hard seeing your child go through this but keep pushing for the referral. Build up school gradually as the more they try to do the worse it will make them to start with.

Good Luck

Original poster
mazliz · 22/03/2014 13:47

Thanks for your advice, he has been only going to school for about 2 and a half hours three days a week, as you said it takes it out of them so the next day he is usually shattered. The school have been really good so far so can't complain. I am due to see consultant friday so hopefully we will get some help. My Gp is also trying to get a CT scan arranged as well just to check these headaches out, so waiting to hear.

I know what you mean seeing your child in pain is hard and so frustrating.

OP posts:
FerrisBueller1972 · 22/03/2014 14:33

You need to push for the referral as they will then organise any scans etc much quicker. He sounds exactly like my son!!

Original poster
mazliz · 28/03/2014 17:50

went to see consultant diagnosed with CFS, arranging physio exercise programme and appointment with Psychologist. Scan has come through for April as well, so will see how it goes

OP posts:
Jo2508 · 04/04/2014 21:00

Hello I am sorry your ds is suffering like this. My dd, almost 10, has been ill for 2 months now as well, with some similar symptoms, and with headaches, fatigue, fever and sore throat. She has had blood tests which came back negative, had a referral to a paediatrician, and numerous visits to the doctor. She is having more blood tests next week.
It is horrible to see them suffer like this and my dd is now getting very upset about feeling unwell all the time. I have no advice to give you but just wanted to let you know you are not alone and I hope your ds recovers soon.

BlackSwan · 04/04/2014 22:06

With persistent headaches like that I would push for an MRI. Just to be on the safe side.
Do you think he had a virus - did he have any fever or anything or is it just the symptoms you describe?

BlackSwan · 04/04/2014 22:07

I should learn to read, you have a CT in April, that's great.

Original poster
mazliz · 05/04/2014 12:33

I hope you get a diagnosis soon, I Know how you feel it is so hard to see them in pain and as you say they get really upset because they are feeling so ill and they get frustrated as they just want to get better.

Yes, my GP has organised the MRI scan as my consultant didnt think we needed it. I wanted it to make sure it was nothing else especially with the headaches now for
10 weeks and still gets headache every day.

OP posts:
DazR · 05/04/2014 19:23

You could look at the ayme.org.uk website which is an organisation supporting young people with ME. They have a telephone helpline for parents and there are also forums for young housebound children to socialise on - these are strictly moderated.

George567 · 24/12/2016 07:27

Hi my 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with post viral illness in November and was sleeping constant headaches no energy just wondered how long they can have it she seems to have turned a corner but she would be sleeping 16 hours a day it seems end a hard couple of months but hopefully she's turned a corner last three days can anyone give advice

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