Encouragement for the pain

Hey everybody!

I found this forum as I was googling mononucleosis and felt that some peer support would be suitable at this point. First I do have to apologise, though, since I've read posts from people who've been suffering from this dreadful virus for over a year - and here I am, looking for support after only a little over a week...

Anyway, I started developing symptoms a little over a week ago over the weekend 13th-14th of November. I just randomly noticed that the lymph nodes on my throat began to swell up a lot, and then on the following Monday the evening fevers began, as well as the terrible headaches that I've now associated with the nightly fevers. All would've been okay had it only stopped there since painkillers do effectively bring the fevers down, but my throat has only been getting worse and worse. On Friday night it was already so unbearable that I decided to seek help, and then on Saturday the 20th got a blood sample and a throat swab taken with the diagnosis of mono.

I know the throat ache hasn't been around for long and I shouldn't feel discouraged at this point, but it's just so hard to take. It's definitely the worst pain I've had, and that comes from a girl whose had some injuries down the road. I can't sleep because I wake up from the pain, and it feels scary since rest is the one thing everyone emphasises. But no amount of painkillers help for the pain, not gurgling salt water, drinking lots of honey water or eating ice pops either. My tonsils look so disturbing, even the health care professionals called them ugly as they just keep swelling and swelling and are covered in white. I feel my throat is only getting tighter, and I haven't eaten a meal in soon-to-be a week. My mouth has also become extremely dry, it seems that my saliva glands aren't functioning properly anymore - I suppose that only makes the pain worse. As the cherry on top, even my ears hurt sometimes tremendously much. I'm not sure if there's some infection in them too or if this is only the same throat pain "radiating" to the ears as well.

Please give me encouragement and assure me that the pain DOES ease eventually... I live in a different country apart from my family, and it's so tough trying to navigate and deal with this constant, extreme pain and sleep loss.

Thank you so much for any kind words you may be able to give!!

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