6 months in
Posted , 3 users are following.
hey everyone
this has been the most difficult and draining time of my life. In April, I noticed I was getting scary heart palpitations and shakiness in my right hand. As a naturally anxious person, I put this down to anxiety and didn't think twice about it.
Fast forward to the end of June - I had just turned 25 and went away with my partner and friends for my birthday. felt mostly fine, however noticed I was getting very warm (particularly on my thighs and lower back), and kept asking if anyone else was warm or if it was just me. being winter in australia i knew it was strange to be feeling so hot constantly. Wasn't too worried though, felt fine enough at this point.
The first week of July was terrifying. On July 5th I went to work, starting at 6am. By 6:30 I felt completely off - dizzy and a sharp pain in my stomach. I was sent home immediately and slept for a few hours, but woke up and felt like I was going to faint. I ended up calling my mother in law to pick me up and got worse throughout the day.
That night we called a night doctor as i felt something was seriously wrong. I had severe nausea and couldn't eat, sweating like crazy and that sharp pain in my stomach. night doc came and said he thought I was fine and that was that.
The next morning my partner took me to the ER. I was sheet white, covered in sweat and the pains were getting worse. I honestly felt like I was dying. Got seen to early, but was sent home and told I was fine. Was very confusing.
Saw my doctor that week and told him about the last week and how off I had felt. At this point, awful night sweats had begun which I told him about. He sent me for blood tests and did a thyroid test as I had also lost over ten kg in a year without really trying, which worried me. He also sent me for an upper stomach scan to check my gall bladder. Tests came back quickly, everything came back normal. was yet to have my scan done as they were booked up, ended up going july 20th. Had to accept that I was okay even though I didn't feel it.
July 20 comes and I go to my scan. Don't think much of it, stroll into docs the next day for results and he casually tells me that I had "many swollen lymph glands in my upper abdomen and he is concerned I may have hodgkins lymphoma". He said teamed with my nightsweats, the swollen lymph glands are concerning. I was told to wait six weeks to return for the same scan to see if the glands had gone down, in case it was caused by a virus (and they would have settled by then if that were the case). He did another blood test that day to check for viruses.
Found out the next day I had glandular fever but it was not active. He said I probably had it around april, but it would not be causing me any issues now. So naturally, as he was so sure I wouldn't still be getting symptoms from glandular fever, I assumed hodgkins and freaked everyday for six weeks. Its worth mentioning that I never had a sore throat with my glandular fever.
Go back for my scan after a terrifying six weeks, glands have gone down and think I can finally relax.
Then comes the end of August, and the most horrific post viral symptoms begin. These don't occur all at once everyday, but here is what I have experienced so far:
-dizziness and feeling like im going to faint
-fatigue
-very high blood pressure which i am now medicated for (154/100 at age 25...)
-blurred vision and floaters (had eyed checked came back fine)
-pins and needles in right leg and hands when waking up
-stabbing pain lasting from 1-10 seconds in my forehead that causes dizziness
-sharp pain in left side of my neck
-hot all over usually on my legs
-extremely painful menstrual cycle
-heart palpitations
-difficulty passing stool
-pains all over my body
-chest pain that makes me panic
metally:
-severe panic attacks
-unable to concentrate
-terrified of being alone in case something happens
-usually outgoing and loud, am very quiet and introverted now even on "good" days
-anxious and depressed. have gone back on anti anxiety meds as not coping.
this forum has helped me stay sane. i've read it almost every day for the last 2 months and it makes me feel soooo much better to see you guys have gone through these scary symptoms too.
ill keep you updated on how im going.
emma
0 likes, 1 reply
craig07920 emma14801
Posted
Hello Emma,
Oh my what a terrible six months you have been through, I know words can't do justice to some of the terrible times you have been going through. That awful time waiting for test results and everything to do with hodgkins must have been awful Emma, as someone who gets very anxious and worries about health issues myself I really empathise and I hope and pray that all these awfuls symptoms ease and that you can get some relief.
You did all the right things getting these tests Emma and I hope for sure it can put your mind at ease a little that it is the glandular fever causing this and not anything more serious.
I definitely want to reassure you that things get better with glandular fever Emma and it can be normal to be experiencing what you're going through at this stage - at six months in I was still struggling with all sorts of symptoms, constant low grade fever, fatigue, swollen and painful glands in different areas, and just generally not feeling right or myself. And it affected me deeply in terms of anxiety and emotionally too, it is such a draining and awful thing to go through.
Everyone's recovery timescale and story is different Emma, but for me I seen a major turning point at around 10 months - things started to really improve from there on in, I'm not saying it's going to be as long for you as everyone is different, but just to reassure that even if it takes a little bit of time you will get better! Truly you will!
Vitamins and herbs certainly helped me a lot, a good strong multi-vitamin per day (I take Immunace Extra here in the UK), higher doses of Vitamin C per day (3-5mg), a B100 complex vitamin and/or coenzyme Q10 (great for nervous system and energy levels) and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng and echinacea. Of course it's always important to check for any interactions with other conditions / medication before starting vitamins and herbs, I'm no expert just going on the things that helped me, so always look into it yourself too or get the advice of a herbal specialist which helped me a lot too! Recently I've been listening to the views of a man called Phillip Day, a British herbal specialist, his website is www.credence.org. He also says some interviews / videos on You Tube.
I know it was only down to God that I was able to get through this dreaded virus and get better. I believe God is going to heal you and get you through it Emma. I empathise with what you're going through and just encourage you to hang on in there, remember that this is the worst phase you are going through now and that things will get better with time - truly they will. And of course keep checking in with the doctor if unsure about anything or have any concerns, that's always wise too. But I know it can be so hard to find a good, understanding and compassionate doctor.
Message any time Emma, privately or on the forum here. I 100% believe in my heart that you are going to make a full recovery with a bit more time. Thinking about you and just take it one day at a time, that's all anyone going through this virus can do. Better times are ahead, there is hope today!
Craig