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9 Weeks into Glandular Fever & Struggling! Looking for some reassurance

Posted , 20 users are following.

Samsick
Samsick

Hello everyone,

This is the first time I have ever posted on a forum but having seen some of the lovely kind words from others sharing the same issues with this horrible virus, I feel as though I could do with some of your kind advice also.

I am a 26 year old male who up until recently was in very good health, I eat well , don't smoke, drink a fair bit and exercise regularly.

I was diagnosed with EBV / Glandular Fever which started after a heavy night out on April 10th 2017 (approx 9 weeks ago) , it started with the typical sore throat with white dots on my tonsils , extreme fatigue, headaches, swollen glands etc.

Being self employed and running a very busy business with 5 employees it has been a real struggle to take anytime off work so after the initail 4-5 days of being very ill I went back into work to get things done but whilst feeling very dizzy, disorientated and generally unwell. 

My role at work though is more mentally straining than physical so I didn't push myself too hard and mainly sat in my office keeping an eye on things and doing e-mails etc.

This cycle continues for the past 8 weeks and I have led a pretty normal life but just feeling constantly tired and slightly nauseous all of the time until the past couple of days where everything has seemed to have got promptly worse. 

My throat has swollen right up again, I have terrible headaches and muscle aches, bad anxiety and extreme exhaustion. I have been at home resting for the past two days. 

Next Thursday, I have a weeks fishing trip planned to my local lake where I can camp out and relax but I don't even think I have the energy to do that. I desperatly want to feel even 10% better just so I have the energy to go fishing but I really do not know if camping for a week is going to make me feel even worse.

My thoughts are that I will be able to relax on my comfy bed chair in my tent and do pretty much nothing for a week so surely that will be equally , if not more relaxing as being at home but the way I feel at the moment I do not know if I can bring myself to even do that.

What do you guys think I should do and does anyone have any idea how long it may take someone of my age / fitness to regain my health? 

Thanks for listening,

Sam

 

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  • Jelley93
    Jelley93 Samsick

    Posted

    Great to hear Sam. Im in month 7 and have been diagnosed as hypothyroid. The virus did it. However that is what was causing my unbalanced feeling. So now im on medication for it. Check your thyroid levels with a blood test to rule that side of it out.
  • julie42247
    julie42247 Samsick

    Posted

    I've never posted on these forums before, but I'm feeling at such a loss. I found this discussion based on my searches since I'm at the 9 week mark now with mono (GF) - from reading, I understand that you are now far beyond that point, and I suppose I need to prepare myself for some more long months. 

    I'm a 27yo female - healthy, non smoker, social drinker, and my only issue is hypothyroidism which has been stabilized with armour thyroid. 

    I'm hitting the point of wondering if I will ever feel better again. It's truly depressing after doing nothing but laying in bed for 9 weeks straight and still feeling as bad as the first day. It started with a terrible sore throat - I figured I probably had some quick cold. Then a week went by, no better. Then another week, no better. My doctor got me on antibiotics just in case. No better. Ran a blood test and it came back positive for mono.

    I am lucky that I have been able to work from home, but even with that and doing nothing all weekends, I don't feel better. I'm extremely fatigued, have a heavy head feeling in the back of my head, brain fog, muffled hearing, fast heart rate when I try to do anything (even shower), and just feel unwell (that feeling inside your body where you know you just are sick). Some nights I have such bad insomnia, then I'm even worse off the next day. I went to my dr again who was almost surprised that I was not feeling any better at all. The other worst thing is that others don't seem to understand. 

    It's encouraging to know people have fully recovered, however reading that it's taking 6-12 months has me down. sad 9 weeks has been brutal and I just cannot fathom this for an entire year. I also have a great deal of health anxiety, so it's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that a virus is making me feel so bad. Every day I wish I could go back to the day before I got my sore throat and this all started. 

    -Julie

    • Mono_too
      Mono_too julie42247

      Posted

      Hi Julie,

      I know how awful this virus is and it took me 11 months to feel like myself, but the first few months are the hardest, you are also younger so that helps a lot. The anxiety is all a part of it. 

      I hope you start feeling better soon, I drank green tea for an anti inflammatory, took advil a  good multi vitamin and also vitamin D and C.

    • craig07920
      craig07920 julie42247

      Posted

      Hey Julie,

      I do understand, I was 25 when I took the virus about 12 years ago, it was a horrible thing to go through and I was the same as you - be please assured that this first 3 months that you are going through right now is by far the worst and things do get better. It's frustrating as it can go on for many folk, but it's different for everyone and the intensity does lessen with time, and you WILL make a full recovery without any doubt. I used to worry because all the doctors I saw and health sites I read said that recovery should take place in 4-6 weeks or 6-8 weeks, and the reality for many is that it can and often does take longer - but that doesn't in any way mean recovery won't come because it will!!

      Taking vitamins and herbs really helped me Julie, a good strong multi-vitamin per day, high doses of Vitamin C (1000mg-3000mg per day), B complex (great for energy levels) and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng and echinicea. It's so hard to go through emotionaly as well, really hope you are managing okay and there will be an end to this. The forum here has some really good people on it for support and I'm the same with health anxiety, it's awful but really truly you will get better and get there and God will bring healing I believe and you will be able to enjoy a full and active live again, without any doubt. Thinking of you and hang in there.

      Craig

    • Mono_too
      Mono_too craig07920

      Posted

      HI Craig,

      How are you feeling? I hope your back is better.

    • craig07920
      craig07920 Mono_too

      Posted

      Thanks Mono, still not been too good lately unfortunately. Thanks for asking - how are you doing? I really hope things are settled for you and your family at the moment.

      Craig

    • Mono_too
      Mono_too craig07920

      Posted

      Hi Craig,

      My granddaughter is feeling better, daughter is still fighting the battle. I have been feeling good, but had a sore throat last week and still feeling a little blah, I think things hit you a little harder once you have had mono.

    • craig07920
      craig07920 Mono_too

      Posted

      Definitely Mono, that does settle down as time goes on too and the longer away from the virus the more resilient to other infections being hit harder too - so better days ahead!

      Craig

    • brent_83487
      brent_83487 Mono_too

      Posted

      How is your daughter? I know we both have worked through most of this.
    • Mono_too
      Mono_too brent_83487

      Posted

      Hi Brent,

      She is still tired and working. She has better days here and there but still struggling especially after having a flu and a cold. How have you been?

       

    • brent_83487
      brent_83487 Mono_too

      Posted

      About the same as her. Still working, some days are better than others, but my sleep has started to get a little better. I have moments when I wonder if I will ever get better, but I just keep going. I guess it effects everyone different.
    • craig07920
      craig07920 brent_83487

      Posted

      I do understand Brent, I've been feeling that way myself wondering if things will get better with my back. It's such a frightening place to be, but there has to be hope today because of God. I still believe that, even though we may not see it now, trusting God with our wellbeing - I know He won't let us down Brent, hang in there and you're going to get better I firmly believe.

      Craig

    • brent_83487
      brent_83487 craig07920

      Posted

      Thank you for your support. I hope your situation gets better also.
    • craig07920
      craig07920 brent_83487

      Posted

      Thanks Brent, I know we just need to take it one day at a time right now - getting through each day in the hard times is an achievement, and just take things in very small and manageable steps. Hang in there bro!

      Craig

    • Mono_too
      Mono_too brent_83487

      Posted

      Hi Brent,

      She said the same thing that she is able to sleep better and that mental clarity is better on some days.

      It is a strange virus. I noticed when I started feeling better that I would have some good and then not so good days,I like to think that those are the days the immune system is getting a handle on the virus and eventually it will win. My granddaughter is feeling better after being sick since last April.

    • craig07920
      craig07920 Mono_too

      Posted

      I was the same Mono during recovery period, some good days and spells and some not so good days - so in the hard days so important just to remember that recovery is still happening and things not away back the way - in fact I believe the bad days are those when your body is getting to grips with finally kicking it into touch for good so it's a sign of recovery and hope in a way, something to think of when not feeling great, and that lapses are usually only very short term during the recovery phase.

    • brent_83487
      brent_83487 Mono_too

      Posted

      When did your daughter first come down with mono? Christmas of 2016 was when I became very ill. It has been a long road ever since.
    • rhonda21886
      rhonda21886 brent_83487

      Posted

      Hi Brent, I think of you often and keep you in my prayers. I've been totally convinced that no one thing is going to push anyone into recovery. There seems to be many slices in the pie of recoverysmile

      I believe each slice of the pie is a part of the pie is a part of the recovery.

      I am totally convinced that two big slices of my recovery pie are Chiropractic care and massage.

      I just recently started following a young man on you tube who got Monm/EBV in 2007 and suffered greatly until 2015. In one of his videos he said he was just lucky he happened upon Chiropractic care which was a turning point for him. Once he started it he could relax and sleep. He is now able to bike many miles exercise, socialize, normalized anxiety levels. He is totally against starting to slowly exercise. He feels that most of us who are in the shape we are in after are there be caused we pushed. I agree!

      He says we have to let our body recharge 100%. Then true real recovery begins.

      Anyway I know for all who are not able to live with a family member and not work it is very difficult!

      They say CFS or ME is a neurological issue. I do believe it is. Chiropractic care addressed neurological issues. Massage address muscular issues. At first with both I required such gentle sessions from both! I am very blessed be cause both my Chiropractor and massage therapist have worked with me according to what I was able to tolerate. My Chiropractor has therapies I use after an adjustment. A water massage bed, traction table massage recliners and a machine you stand on that gentler vibrates the whole body and helps the lymphatic system. When I first started my muscles were so painful I could barely stand 2 minutes of the water massage now I am able to do all for the max times without discomfort.

      I had massage digestive issues which started to improve with his care and are completely gone now.

      I don't push myself anymore. I eat healthy. Get fresh air and sunshinesmile

      I came down with the flu a week ago but am much better today and went in for my chiropractic care and my massage therapist will be back to my house on Monday Lord willing.

      Sorry for such a long post. Maybe I should have private messages you but thought maybe this information would be useful for others.

      I thought of your long fight when I found that young man on you tube.

      There is hope and things you can do.

      Every accomplishment begins with a decision to try. Maybe try more rest, relaxation, meditation, massage, chiropractic care, less mental stimuli...Just try. Pulling for you!

      Prayers, Rhonda

    • brent_83487
      brent_83487 rhonda21886

      Posted

      Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you also for the information. Every little bit helps. I am working on the acceptance factor of this disease. For a long time I didn’t want to accept how serious this illness can be. I have always been a strong person . I have started accepting that I need to just accept life the way it is right now and let go of a lot of things. Stress and anger doesn’t help anything. Having this illness and going through a divorce has made me look at what is important in life. I have always been a go-getter and now I have been looking at what is important in life. Things and money are not the things that make people happy. It is relationships with those people that are in your life. Anyway, I am believing God that all of this will work out for the good in the end.
    • Mono_too
      Mono_too brent_83487

      Posted

      Thanksgiving 2016. It has really been a long road. She tries to look back to the beginning to help gage progress.
    • Mono_too
      Mono_too rhonda21886

      Posted

      Hi Rhonda,

      I am glad to hear you are better.

      I am going to tell my daughter about your experience. Thank you for sharing,

    • Mono_too
      Mono_too brent_83487

      Posted

      Hi Brent,

      This is the only gift that mono brings, the appreciation for your health and the ability to do everyday things.

    • craig07920
      craig07920 Mono_too

      Posted

      Hey guys,

      Rhonda that was a lovely and encouraging message, you are such a blessing to everyone here. Brent I believe you're 100% right that God will turn this hard time into something positive in your life and the same for Rhonda and Mono too and everyone on the forum also. I really do believe that.

      That's really interesting what you said Rhonda about Chiropractic care helping. One therapy that I would really recommend to folks is 'Bowen therapy'. It's very gentle and non-evasive, much less so than Chiropractic, I first came across it about 9 years ago when suffering with sciatica and after trying physio and Chiro and all sorts, this was the things that really made it go away. And it can help with so many issues, from particular pain to your nervous system and general health - it originates from Australia I believe and goes under the radar in UK and USA but is available in most areas I think.

      Thinking of everyone and hoping for a good day and spell to come for us all!

      Craig

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