Anyone else have a sick teen for weeks on end? UPDATE in 1st Post

[hentob]

Just wondering what could be causing my teenaged brother chronic fatigue and a horrible cough for almost a month now. He has been to two doctors, been on three rounds of antibiotics, had a chest x-ray (came back clear) and blood work for mono (also came back clear). Stuffed nose, but no fever. He looks terrible.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Did they test him for Epsteins Barr/Chronnic fatigue syndrome?
My doctor said so many people have and will never be diagnosed.
I had it 5 years ago, after a persistant cough would not go away.
My DD hasn't been feeling well this week, I asked the doctors to test
for mono/Epsteins barr. So far, mono came back negative.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The first thing that comes to my mind is allergies. I recommend the serum testing with the hypodermic needles, not the "plunger pricks" which only test for high allergies.

I have about 50ish MILD allerigies that just make me feel like horrible.

I did shots for 3 years and while I still suffer I am not bedridden anymore. Literally I was dragging myself around sick, sick, sick daily..... It was awful!!!!!!!!!!

My insurance changed and I went to an ENT/Allergist, and she said you have allergies. My "bad" ones that make me feel like I am dragging are MOLDS.

Is this an old school? Are their molds there? Good Luck...It stinks to not feel well.

 

[hentob]

Thank you both for the replies.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would have him tested for Mono..that is exactly the way I was feeling when I had mono....I was 18 and I was out with mono for 6 months! I thought it went away and resumed my normal activities after 2 months but I relapsed and it was worse!

 

[annie1995]

The first thing that comes to my mind is allergies. I recommend the serum testing with the hypodermic needles, not the "plunger pricks" which only test for high allergies.

Is the serum test the one you get in the arms? I had two types done at two different allergists. The one that tested only in the arms said I had tons of allergies, the back scratch said absolutely no allergies??!! Who do I believe?? All I know is I am getting frequent colds like every 3-4 weeks through the winter. Not enough to really make me feel sick, just annoyed. I had a ton of bloodwork at my pregnancy physical. CBC etc, and everything looked great!

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would retest for Mono again. It can be missed in its early stages.

 

[EthansMom]

Is the serum test the one you get in the arms? I had two types done at two different allergists. The one that tested only in the arms said I had tons of allergies, the back scratch said absolutely no allergies??!! Who do I believe?? All I know is I am getting frequent colds like every 3-4 weeks through the winter. Not enough to really make me feel sick, just annoyed. I had a ton of bloodwork at my pregnancy physical. CBC etc, and everything looked great!

The test in your arm is definitive -- if it says you have allergies, you have allergies. My son has to go in this week to have that testing done after all of the scratch tests on his back didn't react -- the scratch testing isn't definitive if you don't have a reaction.

I agree with the other posters that the OP's brother might have allergies/asthma. There are tests that can be done to see if he has asthma and medications that can help. With my Mom and kids, coughing that doesn't go away is one of the biggest signs that their asthma is acting up.

Good Luck!

 

[damo]

The first thing that came to my mind was allergies as well. I know how completely awful I am during hayfever season with chronic coughing and feeling totally out of it. Antihistamines are lifesavers and until I realized I had hayfever, I would never have thought to even give them a try.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is the serum test the one you get in the arms? I had two types done at two different allergists. The one that tested only in the arms said I had tons of allergies, the back scratch said absolutely no allergies??!! Who do I believe?? All I know is I am getting frequent colds like every 3-4 weeks through the winter. Not enough to really make me feel sick, just annoyed. I had a ton of bloodwork at my pregnancy physical. CBC etc, and everything looked great!

The Back scratch test ONLY TESTS for HIGH to SEVERE allergies. I only had 1 come up with the back scratch test.

I have like 20 molds I am allergic too. They are my triggers & make me feel "sick".

When you have a ton of mild allergies, it is pretty hard to feel good. I have good days and bad days, but at least I am not so sick I cannot function anymore.

I wanted to say to the OP....
When I get "sick" like that I strip the house and vacuum/dust everything...including mattresses, sofas, chairs, dust and vaccum!!!

When you dust use a DAMP cloth to pick up the dust so it doesn't fly everywhere and you do not breathe the "sprays" from cleaners. Make sure you dry after so mold doesn't grow.

 

[bumcat]

My daughter and son both had an underactive thyroid that caused them to sleep a lot. It wouldn't hurt to have the blood work done for an underactive thyroid.

 

[kidzmom3]

have they tested him for lyme disease? especially if he spends time in the woods or in deep grass. the ticks were really bad in MA this year. We had to check our kids every night.

 

[minkydog]

You know, we went through someting similar with my then 10yo DD a few years ago. It started off like any other virus, but she couldn't seem to shake it. She tested neg for all the usual stuff, but her fatigue just grew and grew. It got to the point that she was only out of bed for a few hours a day--if she hadn't been homeschooled, she would have failed! Her joints hurt, her throat, back of her neck. We had her seeing doctors once a week at some points. After extensive testing with the ped, the allergist, & the rheumatologist the conclusion was--it's a virus. And that's exactly what it was. It took her 9 months to recover from the virus and she never did test positive for anything that could be treated. Now DD is almost 13 and only occasionally will she have residual joint pain, almost like arthritis, but it doesn't keep her still.

I hope they can find out what is wrong with your brother. It's sad to see a young person laid low by illness for such a long time. I'm sure your parents are worried and are having him tested for everything serious. Best of luck to you all.

 

[hentob]

have they tested him for lyme disease? especially if he spends time in the woods or in deep grass. the ticks were really bad in MA this year. We had to check our kids every night.

Oh. My. Gosh. I just got a chill. Never even considered this..........

 

[powellrj]

I had mono when I was in high school. I was in the hospital for a week in isolation. Finally the mono test came back positive, but I had several done before I finally had one come back positive. I missed 9 weeks of school. This was in the 70's.

 

[hentob]

You know, we went through someting similar with my then 10yo DD a few years ago. It started off like any other virus, but she couldn't seem to shake it. She tested neg for all the usual stuff, but her fatigue just grew and grew. It got to the point that she was only out of bed for a few hours a day--if she hadn't been homeschooled, she would have failed! Her joints hurt, her throat, back of her neck. We had her seeing doctors once a week at some points. After extensive testing with the ped, the allergist, & the rheumatologist the conclusion was--it's a virus. And that's exactly what it was. It took her 9 months to recover from the virus and she never did test positive for anything that could be treated. Now DD is almost 13 and only occasionally will she have residual joint pain, almost like arthritis, but it doesn't keep her still.

I hope they can find out what is wrong with your brother. It's sad to see a young person laid low by illness for such a long time. I'm sure your parents are worried and are having him tested for everything serious. Best of luck to you all.

That is amazing that it was a virus. Nothing more or less. Seems so simple, yet it was not. And it lasted that long! Your poor daughter. I bet you were frustrated too.

 

[minkydog]

That is amazing that it was a virus. Nothing more or less. Seems so simple, yet it was not. And it lasted that long! Your poor daughter. I bet you were frustrated too.

I know. It is amazing what a virus can do to you. We thought surely she had rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Thankfully not, but still it was months and months of endless worry and illness. She's healthy now and that's what counts

 

[Tiggeroo]

Prior to this, he was an extremely healthy and active (ran 100+ miles a week--no that is not a typo) teenager. He has now attempted to start training for spring track and just can't do it. My heart is breaking for him.

i have a son who was running 100 miles per week, doing track for his frosh college year on a scholarship. He cam home and first day on break fell down a couple icy steps. Broke his hand in several places. It looks like he's going to lose winter and spring track as well as possible running into summer. He's miserable. So I can relate a bit.
Do you have a bigger teaching hospital near you. I would call one and get a referral.

 

[chrissyk]

I still bet that it's mono. My sister got sooooo sick from mono when she was in high school. She was literally bedridden for like 3 months, lost a ton of weight, etc. I think that it took many mono tests for hers to come back positive. Also, she got the hepatitis associated with mono I'd vote for retesting your brother for mono a bunch more times if need be. It really sounds like he has it.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

Retest for mono. It takes a while - off the top of my head, I don't remember how long - for the test to come back positive. Other possibilities - hypothyroidism or anemia. Those are both really easily tested.

Jen