Glandular fever - when will this end?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I was diagnosed beginning of April, after fallen ill at the start of March. Since April I have stopped playing football, going to the gym and even playing video games! I cut down my hours at work and have been resting as much as I can. 

There’s times where I do feel slightly better but then get waves of illness. Luckily my throat hasn’t been painful however the malaise and brain fog always get the better of me. I’ve gone from being a normal 21 year old who socialises every weekend, works out 5 days a week, to someone who hardly leaves the house because they’re scared of falling ill. 

I’ve listened to a lot of advice on this page such as good diet, multi vitamins and good sleep, however just wondering how people managed this general uncomfort of this illness. 

I suppose I just want to be reassured that what’s I’m going through is normal. As sometimes I feel well then suddenly get a rush of illness, sends me a bit under overthinking that it could be worse than what it is.

Any reassurance/advice will be appreciated.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Greetings Jordan, I definitely understand how you are feeling... I was barely diagnosed two months ago but have been dealing with this illness for well over a year now. I as well went from being the outgoing and social person to hardly ever going out now. I suggest you go on a strict healthy diet, take daily vitamins, and push your self to go out and walk around at least once a day. All these helped me a bit with my symptoms although its hard and I slip up with junk food at times. Just try taking it easy man and try not to stress. I have been having rough brain fog and fatigue since last June so you're not alone. Although I deal with cervical issues and ptsd I know a lot of people have it worse. Try to have a positive outlook and work towards being healthy!

    • Posted

      Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear it’s happeneing to you also. Been doing the regular walk and trying my best to eat well even though I am a fussy eater!  Mental side of the illness probably effecting me more than the physical at the moment, annoying that there isn’t a simple cure for this nightmare!
  • Posted

    Hey there Jordan. Yep everything you’re going thru is normal. I’m almost at 11 months. After the first 2 1/2-3 months I started recovering. Actually had a good 3 weeks and I overdid it and totally relapsed in November. I’ve been up and down ever since. My biggest advice is to take is easy. Even once you start feeling better. I’d be super careful for at least a month. I’m so frustrated I didn’t listen to people.  Even now I’m so up and down. 

    Just know the first few months are the absolute worst. It’s a very slow progress of healing but it does start to happen. I’m so sorry you’re going thru it. Going from super active to home bound all the time is so awful. Hang in there! 

    • Posted

      Thanks for the reply. Glad to know it’s normal what I’m going through. I feel I’m over the worst just annoying that it can’t be shaken off. Been advised to avoid caffeine but tempted to start drinking decaf coffee simply to get some normality back into my life!
  • Posted

    Hi,

    It is almost month 8 for me and things were just awful from November-March. I’m talking going to ER several times because I thought I was dying!! Never have I been so sick and weak.. I thought I was surely sick with something very serious because I felt like I could croak at any minute. Shaky, this undescribable weakness (even now its hard for me to remember the sensation of how awful it was... out of this world). Around month 5 I had noticed things slowly change but still would have relapses just not as intense. Now month 8 I feel unwell occasionally especially when I work, clean the house, cook, and clean all in one day without giving myself breaks. But, it does get better. Rest. That is all you can do. I was taking many supplements and to be honest the only ones that MAY have made a difference was vitamin D and C?? Not sure? 

    You’ll feel better, it might just feel like a while .. a long while sad 

  • Posted

    Hi Jordan,

    So sorry to hear you've had this rough ride the last few months, I really do want to reassure you that what you are going through is normal. I got the virus when I was 25 and was the same went from being healthy and fit to not able to do much at all for a while, it was debilitating and frustrating for sure. The first 3-4 months are by far the worst in my experience Jordan, it did take me a few months more for full recovery and if that is the case don't panic, because you definitley will get to full recovery. It's horrible to go through I know, thinking about you and you're doing all the sensible things by the sounds of it - that's all you can do right now and take things slow hang in there!

    Craig

    • Posted

      Thanks for the kind words craig. I suppose telling myself I will eventually get better is the hard part but I’ll get there.

      One thing I struggle with is s good nights sleep. I try to bed by 10PM but always wake up during the night and struggle to get back to sleep? Is this something that happened to you? Also get a lot of muscle spasms which are annoying!

    • Posted

      Hi Jordan,

      It's not easy I know, just really hope and pray things get much better soon. Hang in there I know it's hard. Yes I had a few issues with waking up during the night too, which is frustrating when you just want to get the rest you need when feeling unwell.

      Hoping things settle and remember you will get there, I truly believe God will bring healing.

      Craig

    • Posted

      I'm in the same time period as you...fell ill at the beginning of March. I try to go to bed at 10pm usually, but never feel tired enough just to go to sleep...also wake up middle of the night and feel wide awake again. My brain fog has cleared now but I still get daily headaches and my glands feel swollen on the right side of my neck. I've started to try and get back to a normal life. Went back into work today and it was awful. The anxiety kicked in....but soon got used to it. I'm only on a phased return so only doing a few hours. I'm only taking vitamin c now. I know others have been recommended on here, but I'm trying to stay away from any that supposedly gives you energy. They act like stimulants to me and make the sleeping part even harder...I guess we are all different in this part. Going to work was so hard, but also made me feel so much better in my mind that I could do it. I imagine it's still going to be very tough for me but every small step is one step forward. The little set backs and moments of feeling out of control are getting less or just easier to handle...but still they are not very nice. The best medicine I have found is fresh air. I feel so much better When I'm outside, so always make sure I go for a little walk

  • Posted

    Hi Jordan, 

    I started to feel Unwell right around the same time as you! I had a horrible flu at the beginning of March and it was probably the worst I’ve been sick in 10 years. Ever since then I never quite felt right and I had horrible anxiety, brain fog, dizziness and weakness. I did go to the doctor in April just like you but none of my tests came back positive for mono, only low ferritin.  However, I still believe that I have it or something similar to it and I know how much it can suck. I’ve always been a positive person who really enjoys life and school, but I haven’t been at school for 2 months now and I’ve been mostly at home, so you’re not the only one. I can absolutely relate to the waves of illness coming on and feeling anxious that it’s something worse, but you will be fine, even if it feels like you aren’t. I know it’s easier said than done, I have trouble with that too, but really just try to focus on any little improvements you have made. What has really helped me get through tougher times is watching my favourite TV shows like the Office. Something lighthearted and funny really helps take the worries from my mind. I hope you recover really soon and just remember you’re not the only one going through this! 

    • Posted

      Really good advice Dominika and Dodge, really hoping you guys are feeling much better soon. It's so hard I know when going through tough times, having one myself right now. Just praying God helps and strengthens us all and brings us safely through, despite any mistakes we have made along the way.

      Craig

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