6 weeks in....
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi. I am 6 weeks in with mono. I am 52 years old and not sure if this is my first time around or if it is a recurrence. Mine started where I was feeling off. Had a racing heart beat for two days. Went to the hospital and was put on a beta blocker but my heart looked fine. Had a mostly normal day or two and then started feeling really bad. I didn't have any "normal" mono symptoms so I thought it might be a sinus infection. Did Teladoc and got antibiotics but wasn't getting any better so went to urgent care. Got stronger antibiotics. Didn't help. My symptoms were low grade fever, fatigue, I had some throat tenderness but was also dealing with allergies. Back pain, anxiety, sleep disturbance, digestive issues and loss of appetite. I have lost over 10 pounds so far. I went and finally saw my practitioner 2 weeks ago. He did some tests....my liver is enlarged and the blood test came back positive for mono. I have good days and bad days. Mostly meh days. Some days I am having to force myself to eat because I am scared to lose too much weight. My anxiety is through the roof to the point I think I need psychiatric help. I feel like this is going to kill me. Most nights I am lucky to get 5 hours of sleep and all I do is lay in bed other than get up and do about 20 minutes or so of straightening up my house. Has anyone had a similar experience? I feel like I am never going to get well.
0 likes, 10 replies
meredith03356 Guest
Posted
Hi Wendi,
First off, you're not alone. And you're definitely in great, positive company having found this forum. I now check in daily for constant reassurance this WILL get better. I'm 4 months in with mono and experienced the same issues with horrible anxiety, panic attacks, and many sleepless nights because I feel like this will never end. I finally started checking in with a therapist once a week and started on anxiety meds to help me through this and to help me sleep, it has helped tremendously. I was very hesitant at first but so glad I did and wish I would've started earlier than I did. I'm sleeping almost through the night now. I know exactly how you feel. I also can still barely eat and have to make myself. My Dr said just eat something small every couple of hours.
I'm so sorry you are going through this. But through this forum my outlook has started to change for the better. We will get through it. Please reach out anytime.
Guest meredith03356
Posted
meredith03356 Guest
Posted
I know that it can very isolating. The world continues to turn outside of these 4 walls. I have never been through anything like this in 41 years either. I try to keep my mind busy and lots of deep breaths
And keep reading the success stories on this forum.
I'm not sure about the liver. I know for the first two months I couldn't sleep on my left side. Didn't really hurt but was very uncomfortable with lots of pressure. But that is gone now.
craig07920 Guest
Posted
Hi Wendi,
Oh goodness so sorry to hear what an awful awful time you have been having this last 6 weeks. I totally empathise having been through the virus about 10 years ago or so, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to go through and wouldn't wish it on anyone.
I really do want to reassure you that the symptoms and course of the virus does pass with time and that you will get better from it. I was the same thought I would never recover, it did take me a number of months but I did get there. That doesn't mean to say it will take as long for you, everyone just seems to be different with this and as you say I don't think there always are any 'typical' symptoms as some things affect people worse than others when going through this. My liver was slightly off during the virus too but it returned to normal as I started to get better, really do want to reassure you that your body resilience and strength will come back again.
It's hard to comprehend that when you're feeling so unwell and down, my anxiety and worry levels were through the roof too with it. It is such a scary and frightening experience, these first few weeks you are going through are BY FAR the worst Wendi, and even if it did take a bit of time still don't panic as the intensity does lessen and your body DOES get on top of this eventually - take it from me as someone who struggled with seeing light at the end of the tunnel with this, but God did help me through and return me to good health and have read many people on the forums saying the same - so it is normal for it to go on for a period but then equally normal to get back to full health and normal - the internet is always full of scare stories but the vast vast majority of people get back to full health even after quite a struggle with this. Remember 90%+ of the western world are infected with EBV (virus that causes mono) at some point in their lives, most as babies or children I think, but these people are walking about healthy and happy - and you will be too once this horrible time has past!
Rest is so important at this stage Wendi, and removing stress as much as possible (I know it's hard because the virus in itself causes stress and worry). Be kind to yourself and try to do something relaxing each day that doesn't take too much energy, in the knowledge that even if today isn't great you will get better, it is often just time with this. Taking vitamins and herbs really helped me, a good strong multi-vitamin per day, high doses of Vitamin C (1000mg-3000mg), B complex (good for nervous system and energy levels) and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng, oregano and echinicea.
Really hoping you can get more peace and better sleep soon Wendi, remember there IS hope and there IS recovery - God is the great healer and is going to pull you through this tough time, I 100% truly and genuinely believe that for you. Thinking of you and hang in there - one day at at time don't look far ahead, getting through each day is an achievement with this time, and be kind to yourself your body is going through a tough time and you deserve to rest!
Craig
Guest craig07920
Posted
Thanks so much for the encouraging words Craig
It is just nice to have somewhere to come and put what I am feeling in to words that people can understand as they have been through it. To reassure me I will feel normal again someday.
It has been so bad I haven't been able to watch any of my regular shows because intense scenes are hard for me. I am scared my heart will start racing again and the any stress freaks me out. Hard because I am the strongest person I know. This really does rob you of you so much. But you all have given me some confidence that this too shall pass.
I appreciate everything
craig07920 Guest
Posted
Oh thanks Wendi and most definitely this will pass - it is totally understandable for this to shake your confidence, it did for me too, it shakes even the strongest person for sure. But that will return again as your health and body resilience returns Wendi, really I truly believe it will.
I know it doesn't always help when in the midst of the terrible symptoms and the virus at full force, but just hang on and remember take things slowly, don't beat yourself up and remember this thing can't and won't do any long term harm and you will make full recovery given time - it's so frustrating I know for it to go on so long and that's where it becomes so hard mentally too - I really get it Wendi as struggling myself with back pain for the last year and not seeing progress with it gets me so down at times - but remember mono goes away and you will get there!
Hoping for a good and more settled weekend for you and take it easy - be kind to yourself, it's normal to be feeling the way you do going through this, and it's normal to then recovery completely with some time and God's help.
Craig
Guest Guest
Posted
We will recover. Hydrate and take Craig’s advice with the vitamins and herbs.
Stay strong!!!
Guest Guest
Posted
Thanks Tabitha. It is really hard to think you will recover when you are so hopeless at times you think you are dying. LOL True story. I do try to stay positive tho
The days I can't eat.....the endless loose bowel movements.....constantly looking for signs of liver failure since mine is enlarged.....not sleeping well, really takes a toll tho. Plus I am so tired of being in bed and watching TV. I just started my 7th week....oh joy. I have no clue how someone has done this month after month. Do you get to a place of resignation? That this is the new normal till it isn't anymore? I wonder.
Guest Guest
Posted
craig07920 Guest
Posted
Hey Wendi,
I haven't been able to work because of my back for the last year and it has been awful having all that time on my hands, it makes you feel so useless and helpless, I really do understand. Remember this won't be forever with mono, absolutely it won't be - it's hard to think that when going through it I know and it can leave you feeling so discouraged. Please be assured though that things do get better, this phase you are going through at the moment is by far the worst, the intensity levels lessened a little for me after 3 months, it did still take time to recovery fully though and don't panic if it takes a bit of time, that can be normal but you most definitely will recover and get back to full health again! And remember it most likely is the virus causing the liver symptoms, but always wise to check with the doc.
Craig