Crashing and weird symptoms — why?

[Ninan]

Hey! (Warning for intimate details.) Something very strange has happened. I have been pretty well since I moved out of mold and have been thinking about starting work part time. But now I'm suddenly crashing severely, seems to be some infection? Very grateful for help!

(It is the ME crash, not the other symptoms, that worries me.)

I came in contact with cat poop. Do not know if it is relevant but do not know what may have caused this otherwise.

A day after it starts itching inside the vagina. A day later, the labia are very swollen. The next morning I wake up and am crashing. Seem to be heading straight down so there must be some cytokine response in my body, the same as I get from mold. Nothing seems to help. When I crash like this, it usually ends with me just lying down and not being able to communicate due to extreme lack of energy and sensitivity to impressions. Very severe ME. Do not want to go back there.

The gynecologist they found nothing wrong, just the swelling. And said that it should not affect systemically.

Some ppl I’ve talked to think the swelling and itching might be a histamine reaction. But to what, there’s nothing new in my daily routine (except for cat poop, that was never meant to be a part...).

My question to you: Does anyone recognize this or have any idea what it might be and what I should do?

I have been to Kenny de Mierlier before and he concluded that mold is my big problem. Really do not need another. I’m thinking of contacting my doctor and see if I can get a course of doxycycline if this is some bacteria.

Very grateful for any feedback. Why am I crashing and what can I do?

 

[wabi-sabi]

There's so many things that could cause a crash-sometimes the slightest change in routine or even, more frustratingly, nothing at all. I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with the cat poop. Are you having typical crash symptoms for you? Other than that vaginal issues? If you are, the only way I know to come out of a crash is resting as much as you possibly can. If these are not your typical crash symptoms, seems safest to get to a trusted medical person to see if there's something else going on or if your ME/CFS is getting worse.

On the vaginal issues, if your gyn didn't see an infection, you might consider if you are coming into contact with any topical irritants. The
The V Book by Elizabeth G. Stewart, M.D., Paula Spencer
is one I find helpful.

 

[Ninan]

There's so many things that could cause a crash-sometimes the slightest change in routine or even, more frustratingly, nothing at all. I'm not sure if it's got anything to do with the cat poop. Are you having typical crash symptoms for you? Other than that vaginal issues? If you are, the only way I know to come out of a crash is resting as much as you possibly can. If these are not your typical crash symptoms, seems safest to get to a trusted medical person to see if there's something else going on or if your ME/CFS is getting worse.

On the vaginal issues, if your gyn didn't see an infection, you might consider if you are coming into contact with any topical irritants. The
The V Book by Elizabeth G. Stewart, M.D., Paula Spencer
is one I find helpful.

Hi, thanks for replying. These are very typical symptoms except for that part. But they never come out of the blue for me, and I’ve been tolerating a lot these past years. Of changes, moving etc, no crashes. There’s always a reason and I’ve always been able to fix it, sooner or later. But I can’t figure out what this is.

 

[wabi-sabi]

There’s always a reason and I’ve always been able to fix it, sooner or later. But I can’t figure out what this is.

Most of the time I can't figure out why I have crashed!

Have you thought of seeing another gyn? Certainly it's good to know you don't have a yeast infection (for example), but I always like someone who can do more than rule out the simple stuff and go looking for other answers. Don't know what's going on, but you sure shouldn't be swelling and itching for no reason! Vaginitis isn't something that typically goes with ME/CFS like migraines or IBS.

 

[Ninan]

I didn’t either at first but after 20 years I’ve figured out all my severe crashes.

I’m thinking this is not really a gyn issue, it’s more of a symptom of something. Histamine reaction to pathogen maybe?

 

[Wishful]

Parasites? Amoebas? There are lots of infectious microorganisms that won't show up on a yeast test. Some uncommon varieties might be hard to spot by the usual tests. If the irritation looks like an infection, ask for testing for uncommon microbes.

 

[Ninan]

Yes, I’m trying to get a hold of my doctor but they are usually not very happy about doing tests. I have old (expired 2018) banderol and samento at home. Might try a course of that if I don’t get to try antibiotics. Testing would be great though.

 

[Ninan]

The irritation could be anything btw, it’s just swollen. I’m guessing this is not something local since I feel so bad.

 

[Wishful]

Might try a course of that if I don’t get to try antibiotics.

The problem with 'antibiotics' is that it's not just one thing; there are different types that target different bacteria. Penicillin is great for certain infections, but weak against bladder infections. Antibiotics won't work against fungi or amoebas or viruses, and they might make such infections worse by killing off the protective bacteria. Think of antibiotics as a high-powered gun: you really want to be sure of your target before you pull the trigger. Testing to identify the infectious agent is important, especially for a problem that the doctor isn't familiar with.

 

[Ninan]

The problem with 'antibiotics' is that it's not just one thing; there are different types that target different bacteria. Penicillin is great for certain infections, but weak against bladder infections. Antibiotics won't work against fungi or amoebas or viruses, and they might make such infections worse by killing off the protective bacteria. Think of antibiotics as a high-powered gun: you really want to be sure of your target before you pull the trigger. Testing to identify the infectious agent is important, especially for a problem that the doctor isn't familiar with.

Yes, I know. I always take pauses with probiotics. At least doxy takes a lot and quickly and if I don’t get better I can be pretty sure it’s not one of those things. I’ll try to get testing but if not I’d rather try than do nothing.

 

[Sushi]

@Ninan Cat poop.... makes me think of Bartenella?

 

[Ninan]

@Ninan Cat poop.... makes me think of Bartenella?

Hi Sushi! Yes I thought the same. But then I read that it’s not very common among cats in Sweden. But maybe? Guess symptoms can vary? It’s one of the reasons I’m considering doxycycline.

 

[wabi-sabi]

The irritation could be anything btw, it’s just swollen. I’m guessing this is not something local since I feel so bad.

Yes, it definitely could. But be careful about leaping to the conclusion that something systemic is an infection. It could be something neurologic, immunologic or hormonal as well.

See article here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733863518303474

 

[Mary]

@Ninan - toxoplasmosis is a parasite commonly spread by cat feces. See https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/toxoplasmosis-a-to-z I have no idea of the likelihood of this being the issue but it's a possibility. There is testing that can be done.

 

[Ninan]

Hi @Mary Yes I hope I can get some testing. That is definetly one suspect.

I’m still sinking like a stone. My nose is running which is unusual for me except for when I have histamine issues. That could explain the swelling and itching too. Antihistamines seem to help some with that.

I have never crashed this quickly and severely in my life and I’ve been sick for 20 years. If this is a pathogen, and I can think of no other reason that makes any sense, I’m thinking parasite rather than bacteria because of the histamine reaction. So maybe wormwood etc? If I can’t get my doctor to help I will try to find a good herb specialist or something.

I’m trying to stay positive at least. Hopefully this is something very specific that can be dealt with.

 

[Ninan]

Another symptom: I have to force myself to eat. Absolutely no appetite which is unusal for me even during a crash.

 

[Mary]

@Ninan - here's one article which talks about some herbs which may be effective against toxoplasmosis, including wormwood: https://draxe.com/health/toxoplasmosis/

Or if it's another parasite, wormwood still might be effective. I think black walnut, garlic and ginger can help with some parasites too.

Good luck - I hope you get some answers!

 

[Ninan]

Thanks @Mary I found a formula containing wormwood and gillyflower (the latter is supposed to kill parasire eggs). I’ll order and give it a slow try. If that is indeed my problem I guess the earlier I start treating the better.

Thanks for your input!