am I mistaking my symptoms for cfs?

Hi 

firstly you have said your gp thinks it could be m.e.. GPS do not diagnose or suggest m.e. Quickly.

you also state you have had glandular fever which is an Epstein Barr virus . If you look up glandular fever on the nhs site, it can stay in your saliva for up to 18 months. 

Your gp can do another blood test to see if you still have the virus in your blood.

you need to sort your anaemia out and rest seriously to recover.

dont be frightened of m.e. /CFS diagnosis if diagnosed early many people recover in 6 months a year . Often those who have had glandular fever have a start to the illness and do rest and recover. Unfortunately others can't pinpoint the start exactly and only realise years into fatigue that they have m.e. When it has worsened because of un diagnosis.

get to the gp and get over it. Positive .... 

I understand that glandular fever can take many months to get over and that during this recovery period sufferers do not feel well.

I also understand that suffers should not 'push' themselves too much but do as much as they can without over-doing things.

I am surprised that your doctor has said it 'could be ME' because the symptoms should have been on-going for at least six months before that should be considered. Did you ask your doctor if it was ME or did your doctor just throw that into the conversation.

To be honest, I would forget the ME question for a while. Maybe keep in touch with your GP to monitor your Glandular fever recovery and perhaps discuss the anxiety.

Also, if you want to know how ME is diagnosed in the UK, look at the NICE guidelines CFS/ME.  Look at the version for patients and the one for GPs.

Good luck. Try to relax and allow yourself to recover. But keep in touch with your doctor.

Your symptoms really do sound like ME/CFS. During my onset, I always had a sore throat. I later found out that this is a very common symptom of the illness. Even anxiety is a common symptom. My doctor explained that it can be a result of what the illness does to the brain. Many people recover from this illness without doing anything. The important thing is to stay as positive as you can, rest, pace yourself, eat healthy, and don't push yourself, and this can worsen the symptoms and cause relapse. I've been watching a history of the Roosevelts on TV. In it, Franklin Roosevelt utters his famous line: "There is nothing to fear but fear itself." So true. Go and see your GP.

Oops. Forgot to say that the anaemia needs sorting too before you go on the ME trail.  Because ME is, at this point in time, a diagnosis of exclusion ie no one can find anything which is causing your symptoms.

Hi daviess,glandular fever is dreadfull so iv heard and sometimes goes on for many many months,all the symtoms you are suffering with must be so exhausting for you,im no medic but just listen to what your body is saying to you! And just go with it, if you are in any doubt about the way you are feeling go back to your gp again and dont be afraid,dont leave it because you could be worrying about nothing,at the end of the day get peace of mind for yourself...take care

Glandular fever was how mine started; I was told that it was because I didn't rest enough for long enough when I first got it. It's supposed to take weeks to months to recover, but I was studying for A Levels. How was I supposed to take time off? 

If you can take time off, do try to. You will likely recover more fully and sooner if you don't push yourself too hard. Meantime, try not to be afraid of the doctor - they can only diagnose something you already have, they can't give it to you by saying the words, and if you don't have it, you'll be so relieved!

Even if the worst comes to the worst and it turns out you do have ME/CFS, the sooner that it is down on your notes, the sooner you'll be able to get the help you need.

Best wishes, either way!

You should get this sorted before the winter sets in.  Daughter had glandular fever many years ago, and I remember it took her a long time to recover.  Also sort the anaemia else it will cause other things!! Good luck.

glandullar fever takes a long time to heal from and can be very tiring in itself.  I would wait until you are clear of this before making further assumptions.  Iron tablets may help for the anaemia from your GP.

Richard