Wtf is happening to me?

[Achybones]

I'm feeling desperate and very frustrated.

About 8 weeks ago I had mild flu type symptoms. I also had a few 'heat lump' or insect bite type spots on my hip, chest and lower legs that were very itchy.

Then about two weeks after that had cleared up I started getting really achy wrists and ankles which spread to my whole hands and feet. Now it's every joint except my hips and shoulders, aches like toothache. I can hardly hold this phone up.

If I try to push through it and do something, even wipe around a sink, the pain gets much worse. I'm utterly exhausted after not doing much at all. A day shopping a few days who has wiped me out ever since. Ibuprofen doesn't touch it.

We're going on a Big Holiday in a couple of weeks so I'm really worried so won't be able to walk anywhere or do anything. So frustrated.

Anyone have a clue what's going on?

Gertrude Thanks for the link. I do hope it is that. Sounds very possible. If it is then hopefully it'll go soon as I've had it for about 6-7 weeks. Really hope that's what it is.

I think this is post viral fatigue. Have a look a the symptoms online and see if it matches.
Have a complete rest on holiday. I suspect that will help. In the meantime look up pacing.

The joint pain is much worse than the tiredness. Not heard of pacing before, thank you. Slightly worried that a google search of it brings up ME...

The holiday is a busy one with lots of walking unfortunately. Been planning it for months and it can't be moved. Hoping I can drug myself up with anti-inflammatories and crack on.

Oh, Post viral fatigue is ME. Sorry. I'm really worried now.

Right, right, looked again and PVF is not the same as ME. Same area but not the same thing. I mustn't post in a panic.

So worried now but suppose all I can do is go to the GP and hope I get someone who can identify what's going on.

I have had PVF - it's in the same family but a different thing, don't panic. For me it was a warning I was doing far, far too much and it laid me low for 6 months but I was still working.

I got better by pacing myself, overhauling my diet (I seem to recall lots of beetroot juice!), gentle yoga and respecting it.

Hang in there xx

Fifth disease in adults causes similar symptoms. I had it once and the aching especially in my hands was dreadful. Also had a rash on my chest before that and went to the doctor as had no idea what it was. Neither did he! I thought that I had been poisoned by something after digging in the garden. Eventually worked out they I probably had this as my Dd had been ill a few weeks earlier. The aching took 5 to 7 days to go away.

Sorry there is a link on the first two words in the last post suggesting that for some adults the aching can last much longer.

Thanks Rooners. Yeh I did go into panic mode there. Had a woe is me half hour but pulled myself together again now.

Fresh Fifth disease looks and sounds like it too. I didn't have the rash described though. Whatever it is I'm sure it's post viral. Which I guess means there's not much to be done other than waiting it out.

The pacing thing that Merde suggested looks helpful for this kind of thing.

So annoyed that this has happened now. Nothing I can do about it though.

Thank you for your replies.

OP about 10 years ago I had Erythema Nodosum could it be that?

Got something similar going on but no answers yet so let me know if you find out!

Don't think so Avon they weren't 'nodules' just itchy and looked like mosquito bites. Appeared over a few days.

ej sorry you're feeling unwell too.

I've been in tears all night about it tbh. I want to cancel the holiday but DH says we'll lose the money so we can't. Said we'll 'have a good time' but I was exhausted and in pain after washing my hair today. Doctors was closed for training today so no appointment yet. Scared and frustrated.

Avon sorry, meant to say, thank you for the suggestion though.

Achybones, just some further info. I had flu-like symptoms and then a sore throat, then excruciating joint pain - could barely lift my arms high enough to brush my hair. After about 6 weeks, the nodules appeared, which apparently was the virus "coming out". I had blood tests done, and it turned out that I'd had a strep infection, hence the sore throat, which had triggered the erythema nodosum. A trip to a rheumatologist confirmed the diagnosis. It sounds quite similar in terms of the joint pain, which was just awful. I'd push for some blood test at the GP.

How are you doing achybones? I had a long awaited rheumatology appmnt last night ( ended up going private as going mad). Dr said I had Hypermobility and looks like some sort of arthralgia from a virus. Basically, have had random pains since April. Started in my foot, then hands, wrists then spread everywhere. Been freaking out had something hideous and anxiety's prob made pains worse. Have been told to chill out, it's nothing sinister, and it will run it's course basically. Sounds like you're having something similar.