Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Jen,

I had a virus back in the 1980's. It took 2 years for them to find out what was wrong with me. I was sent to sooooo many doctors and hospitals for tests etc.

I live in the Boston area so you know we are supposed to have some of the best hospitals here.

I was diagnosed with cytomegalovius which is also an auto immune disease. It's like having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I ended up getting Cirrhosis of the liver from this virus as well as Hepatitis A. It was when Aids was really unknown then and they were so afraid that's what I had even though I was married with children, my husband and I were faithful to each other, didn't use drugs etc.

They made my life miserable because this was an illness that people with Aids got. Even when I went to Brigham & Women's Hospital I had to give them a urine sample which they were sending off to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. They would not even touch the bottle the urine sample was in. I had to place it in the box they had with dry ice in it. Back then didn't know very much about aids but when I started hearing more about it asked the doctors if that's what they were so afraid of. I was on disability for two years back then and if you saw my daughter's wedding pictures you would think I was older then than now. It did such a job on me. I finally was able to get the treatment I DESERVED and needed by a doctor at Mass. General Hosp. I recently found out by checking something on the web that this virus NEVER leaves your body, which I never knew, it lays dormant. It still can pop up at anytime. Needless to say it did a terrible job on my liver so have to watch even what I take for vitamins in order not to cause it more problems. That's why I was telling you NEVER to let a doctor tell you it's something in your head, not your body. We know our own bodies enough to know when something is wrong. Every time something happens and I go to the doctor and ask for a test I have ALWAYS been right. Not that I know everything, but I do know my own body. I knew when I was soooooo tired and getting sicker and sicker that I needed my meds uped for my thyroid. Sure enough the doctor called back when the tests came back and he had to double the dosage. He REALLY listens to me as he knows I almost lost my life because another doctor didn't listen. Thank goodness for cat scans.

I can tell by listening to your posts and Laura Sue's as well as some others with Fibro how much you go through and my heart goes out to all of you. I check every day to see how everyone is doing. Keep wishing you all would at least get up to an 8. Just waiting for that day to come as I know what you all are going through even though my illness was a little different.

When you don't have a doctor who LISTENS get another one right away. I know you'll find someone out there who knows what you're going through and will be able to help you.

Hugs,

pat

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