I was diagnosed with glandular fever 4 months ago. I am still exhausted.

Yes, all same symptoms and more for 10 months now. The fog is worst symptom along with lingering anxiety and massive fatigue. I believe as well as my M.D. that it is post viral fatigue from adrenal glands working to the point of burn out from this virus.mine is still present. Working 4o hrs a wk amd struggling daily. But at least im upright and nor bed bound as before. How is your sleep. Im left with horrid insomnia. ...slow process.

Ur not alone!

Hi Jeffreyfine and Rolane,

Just want you to know I'm thinking about you both. It sounds horrible all the symptoms you are going through. It was 10 years ago now since I had glandular fever but I never forget how horrible a time it was. I really believe that you are experiencing the worst just now and that it will start to ease for you over the coming period. It happened for me that I never thought I was going to get better as the months and months went on - but I did.

Into the second year I had much much less problems, it was like a breeze compared to the first year. Even though at the stage you are at Rolane I was still struggling. The way it comes on suddenly your body can also just get on top of it suddenly - so just want you both to know there is plenty of hope today and that I really truly honestly believe that you both will FULLY recover and be back at perfect health again.

Despite what you might read it's not abnormal for you to be feeling as unwell for as long as you have been - and it doesn't mean you won't recover or anything because I felt in the same boat doubting recovery and thinking I had to adapt to a new lesser way of life. Hang in there, things will get better. You're not alone and thinking of you. 

Take it easy, give yourselves time, try to cut back on working hours if possible while recovery.

Craig

Sorry to hear of your issues. I share your thoughts though on the idea that at least we are up right. I was fortunate enough to be up about three weeks after the acute phase but I still am very fatigued and brain fogged.

My sleep is iffy. Some nights I sleep hard and other nights I wake up at 3 and have a tough time going back to sleep. My legs and arm muscles could twitch and wake me.

My biggest gripe at two months is the brain fog and feeling like he past few days were months ago (cant recall them that well) but I'm confident it's part of the fatigue as you say.

I am going to be going to the Veterans hospital in a month to do a whole body check to see where I'm at. I'll be doing a neuro check and CT scan. I want to see where my blood stands as well.

All I can say is I learned that mono doesn't strip people of a life of normalcy. We just have to grin and bear this crap and know better days are ahead and that we will be super human post symptoms! Life will be good on the other side.

Thanks Craig for the kind and motivational words. I was at work when I read this and started to tear up feeling a bit releaved that there is life after this. It has been scary and devastating but in the scheme of things it's all short term. I just want clarity on the neuro symptoms but I'll be going to the Veterans hospital in a month to clarify that.

Hey Jeffrey,

You're absolutely right to say there IS life after this. Boy I know it doesn't feel like it at the time, it is an awful and life changing experience for many affected badly by it, but I really and truly believe there is a marvellous and total recovery for you going to happen, you will get through it and will feel back to yourself again.

It may take a bit of time still because the first year can be ups and downs a lot of the way for some (different for everyone of course) and it's really hard to be patient I know, but I really believe you will get better and back to a full and active life again - so don't worry friend just do your best to hang in there in the meantime hard as it is I know. Get plenty of rest and take a good strong multi vitamin / B vitamin / Co-enzyme Q10 things like that.

Rolane you're absolutely right too that you will be super post the virus. Your clarify of thinking and confidence will return again, even if it doesn't seem there now. Thinking of you both and just hoping and praying and believing that things start to ease very soon for you.

Rooting for you and thinking of you - you're not alone.

Craig

Hi Craig, 

I've been reading all yours and others messages for the past hour and it's so encouraging to not read horror stories about the illness! 

I'm into my fourth month of EBV Glandular fever and am struggling to see any light. I'm 18 years old and was just about to go into full time dance college, however have had to defer a year. I'm extremely gutted by this but I believe everything happens for a reason. 

I had glandular fever when I was 11 and it lasted for 7 months, but I don't remember it at all. I've experienced the worst pain in my lymph nodes around my entire body. Do you know what I could do to relieve the pain? The mental fatigue is also draining. How did you regulate your amount of exercise? Do you recommend seeing the doctor about tracking the illness or is it useless? Sorry for the questions. 

Your words are inspiring and I did cry a little reading it. Thank you!!!

Your struggle with GF (mono) sounds like what I have experienced.  I am in the 8th month of recovery from GF.  The first several months I only rested and felt overwhelmed by the illness.  I remember telling my husband that I did not think I would ever get well.  But now I am full of hope for a complete recovery.  I just had to give my body time to heal.  Everyone heals at a different rate.

I remember having the lymph node pain that you are describing.  My doctor recommended Tylenol, drinking lots of fluids and rest.  That symptoms has resolved and I do not have swollen glands any more.

I still experience some mental anxiety, but that also is improving.

My doctor told me to take it easy with my activity level.  He said to do less than I think I should be able to do.  That way I will not over due it.  Easier said than done!  If I do too much one day, I make sure that I rest the next day.  You will figure it out as you heal.

My doctor has been following my recovery by doing blood test every 2 months.  I am 62 years old and live in the USA.  Every doctor seems to have different plans.  I encourage you to ask for whatever you need.  Even tho there is no cure for GF, I found it comforting to check in with my doctor so he could help me manage the secondary problems I had.

good luck as you heal!

Hi Georgie,

Oh I'm so sorry to hear you've been feeling so rubbish, I'm thinking about you and really believe you will get better. A really positive thing for you is that you are young, this is great Georgie because even though it's such a struggle just now your body has a brilliant capacity to fight back and recover at your age - and it most definitely will so don't want you worrying too much about things. I was about 25 when I got glandular fever and it hit me hard and was still able to make a full recovery, and you're even younger so this is positive.

Lymph node pain was something was bothered with too, on one side in particular in my neck and in my chest area too I remember it being bad. Some can also get it in their arm pits or groin. It's really uncomfortable and horrible to feel I know. I would definitely recommend building yourself up with a strong good multi-vitamin if you're not already doing it, there's one called 'Immunace Extra' in the UK which I use (available in Boots), but there will be others too. Siberian ginseng is another great immune boosting herb, it really helped me, as is oregano.

It's so frustrating when you're not able to exercise Georgie I know that too. I think it's just about finding a balance and not pushing yourself too hard. Your body does need plenty of rest and you did the right thing to defer for a year - give yourself plenty of time to recover in that year and there is a good chance you can be back next year or soon after.

There's no harm in seeing doctor to track the illness but be wary too if any of them try to tell you that you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because it's been going on for a few months, disregard this - it's still your body recovering from the glandular fever. You WILL recover and get back to full health and dancing again I have fully confidence in this Georgie - I know it's hard to be patient sometimes you just need to have a bit of patience with it and let it runs its course unfortunatley but eventually it does go even though it doesn't feel like it at the time.

Thinking of you and message any time you feel worried or down.

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thank you so so much for your kind words! It's so comforting to know that I will get better and other people have been through this.

I too get a really horrible pain in my armpits and my groin vibrates. Did you also feel dizziness and lightheadedness here and there? Thank you so much this is so helpful. I am taking a multi vitamin just like that. Thank you!

I really needed those kind words. You are honestly an inspiration. I've now accepted the illness as it is and stopped fighting it!

Thanks again,

Hope you're having a brilliant summer. X

Hi Georgie,

You're very welcome and I just want to help because I know how horrible the virus can be, I felt exactly the same as you so down and worried and discouraged that I wasn't seeing any progress. It is such a hard thing to deal with Georgie, but there is plenty of hope too because I feel very strongly that you will most definitely get better - take hope and comfort in that today.

Yes I also felt dizziness and lightheadedness and sometimes just wanted to lie down. I think the overriding feeling was just a horrible rushing fever going through you that drained all your energy, it was awful. That's why you need to take time to rest, remove stress as much as possible, because you're right to say the best way to fight this illness is not by getting up and always working through it, that can just make it worse, it's about finding a balance with your activities - still do the things you enjoy like seeing your friends and things that relieve stress, but just give yourself plenty of rest before and after it, and don't overdo things is the key. You will definitely recover quicker that way, and your energy levels and strength and happiness will come back - fear not Georgie you're a young lady with lots to offer and such a bright future ahead!! This is just a temporary blip and you will get back on track, even if it does take a few months, and I know it's hard to be patient, but you will get there I'm totally confident having been through the same myself. 

You take care and don't worry or put too much pressure on yourself - things will come right in time.

Craig x

I'm sorry you are going through this! I was diagnosed in February of this year and have been off of work since then. I'm very lucky that I have disability through my work. I've had the same symptoms, and until recently, did not think I would get better. But lately I've had more good hours - feeling like I'm "awake"  I'm finally feeling hopeful! This illness messed with my cortisol levels also, which can affect many things. 

You will get better, but you need to slow down, if possible, otherwise it might have long term implications. Your body is telling you to stop and take care of yourself. Be easy on yourself. Eat well, sit outside, take a good multi.......

Hi Jeffrey and Andrea and all,

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you today and I still fully believe you will get better and get through this really hard time. I feel strongly that you won't feel the way you do with this virus in the long term and you will have good and happy times with lots of energy and a full and active life again. I know it might seem hard to believe that now, believe me I also felt that way in the midst of it, but you will recover just do your best to hang in there in the meantime.

Feel free to message any time feeling down or worried or anxious, because I know how this awful virus can affect you like this. You WILL get through it though....and I'm talking to everyone reading this message suffering with glandular fever / mono.

Thinking of you and remember to take care of yourself.

Craig

Thanks for your thoughts. I had a decent weekend. Felt a bit clearer headed but not 100% still. Had a bit more energy. I had developed what I believe is strep throat. I have swollen lymph node on the left and a sore throat. I have to wait for my results but I'm on amoxicillin until they tell me if I have it or not. I cant win! On the lighter side, I haven't gotten the mono rash from the amoxicillin so I think my body is just recovering from a weakened immune system.

I'm also starting to suspect a yeast overgrowth that spawned from the mono which may have created the severe brain fog. Although the brain fog is miles better, I'm still not perfect. I say this in hopes that if others have brain fog... Look at the gut. I'm going to do a cleansing diet soon to allow my gut to rebound. However it may just be a waiting out period because of the weakened immune system.

But after this weekend my hopes are elevated. I've told this to many. I can deal with the body failing.... I can't deal with the mind failing. Thats my strongest area. I work in an intense and competitive industry... I need my brain!

Don't panic Jeffrey your clarity of thinking will come back, I think stress has a big factor to do with that too you're under a lot of worry and stress at the moment and that combined with the effects of a virus or not being well can't make things seem multiply worse.

Just wait and see for the results, I know waiting is a horrible thing hopefully it's not too much longer, and be it glandular fever or not you will get through it - remember work isn't the end of the world although I understand your fears in this department it's hard I know.

Take care of yourself and hang in there - thinking about you - I believe you will get through it and feel healthy again, just a temporary blip in the long term.

Craig

Just wanted to drop a quick message to let everyone know I am thinking about them, that I still fully believe those reading this will recover from their glandular fever and that you will get through this difficult time - it's a horrible virus to cope with, and it can take time but it does pass and you will return to good health - hang in there just get plenty of rest and take some good vitamins (including a multivitamin) and don't put too much pressure on yourself - hard to be patient I know but you WILL get there.

Take care

Craig

Thank you very much for your extremely kind words. They are really motivating me to be strong in this horrible time!

My pain in my armpits are slightly less however it seems to be spreading to the lower half of my body and making my legs go slightly numb. I'm so used to it now though!! I also just went back to a different doctor and they helpfully told me that I'm not strange for the recovery and that 6-12 months in the average.

Thank you so much Craig, you've helped me not feel too lonely haha,

Georgie

That's what my doctor told me as well. I said 3-6 months and she gave me a look and said... Try a year. My heart sank. But it's nide to know there is an end!

Thanks again I frequent this page for your words! Here's my update: my blood test came back and had shown my ESR levels at 43... According to my results, normal range is 0-15! This test indicates inflamation from an infection or can be used to detect arthritis and autoimmune disorders. All aligned with mono for sure. I'm sure my doctor will have thoughts in this when they discuss my blood. But none the less I'm optimistic!

Hi Georgie / Jeffrey,

Oh I know it's so tough, it's such a hard thing mentally and physically to deal with. I think it's because it not only drains you but causes all sorts of aches and pains in different places as you say. It is terrible when you think it can take a while to get better, but it's different for everyone, for someone like you Georgie as a young person you have a great chance to recover quickly - I don't think at all you will be unwell for a year, but just take it easy and give yourself time to recover that's important.

There is plenty of hope for you both - I really hope you feel better soon, try not to search the internet too much for horror stories, Jeffrey you inflammation and high ESR can be just caused by the virus so it doesn't necessarily mean anything else is wrong. It's awful to deal with I know, I'm just hoping you both see a big improvement soon.

I definitely fully believe in your recovery - for you Georgie and for you Jeffrey - I feel strongly you will get back to full fitness, it may take a bit of time I know it's very frustrating, for me I started to see a bit change after around 8 or 9 months, but for others it can happen much quicker than that so don't worry too much - I thought I would never get better but I did and the same will be true for you too - hang in there and fear not!

Take care and message any time you feel like a chat or update

Craig

I agree about the inflamation I'm not too worried about what it represents. When I was dx with mono my entire family all came down with strep as well so I know everything that proceeded my infection has to do with mono. However, I now know that I have to make some lifestyle changes. Ive learned that my lifestyle promoted a lower immune system and the western diet has to do with it. Time to get smart.

That sounds wise Jeffrey, yes a good diet helps and so does rest - some people make the mistake of thinking best way to fight it is to get up and work through - not with this thing, the best way to fight it is with a healthy life balance - plenty of rest before and after you do things but not avoiding doing the things especially that remove stress, such as seeing friends, family, etc. Sounds silly but even the de-stressing things you can do without using much energy, just watching tv shows you enjoy or films or reading books or having a bath or listening to music / radio - whatever helps - you're not using energy and de-stressing, all boosts the immune system.

You will get there Jeffrey, I really believe that! Hang in there. 

Take care and speak soon

Craig

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to remind everyone today that glandular fever is a virus that your body eventually gets on top of and defeats. Doctors and others might scare monger if it goes on for longer than a few months that you are entering into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or whatever, but that is not the case in the vast majority of instances - this virus can take a good while to recover from for many, not just the 4-6 weeks or 6-8 weeks which you often read.

Give yourself time and plenty of rest and don't be discouraged if it takes a little longer than you had hoped - for everyone reading this, you WILL still make a full recovery and will get back to full health. It's a nasty virus but once recovered from it you feel free of it and healthy and even more grateful for your health than ever before - you have those great things to look forward to, focus on them in the difficult moments.

Hang in there and still fully believing in everyone's recovery today.

Craig

Hi Craig,

Your words really do help out in this horrible time! I really really appreciate your support.

Would you say the fatigue gets progressively better? Because I've found that I'm getting worse some weeks!

Sorry for all the questions!

Many thanks

Georgie

I got far worse at first...them slow progress. It's been 10 months for me. I'm getting back slowly. Still have bad days. we will all heal its wicked.

Thanks again Craig your words come always at the right time. I feel like I'm getting my cognition and memory back but I'm still a little slow both body and mind. When I push through the fatigue my head has anpressure and I get really foggy I have an appointment Monday with the Veterans Affairs infectious disease doctor. I'll keep you and everyone updated on what this dr says. Thanks again and I look forward to healthy days with my family!

Hi Georgie / Rolane / Jeffrey,

I really do believe that you will all get better it's not just words it's from personal experience. Georgie, as Rolane says there seems to be no rulebook for this virus - I seem to recall feeling on certain days or weeks I had more energy or that the fatigue was getting better, then the next day or week I could feel totally worse than ever before. So if you feel worse at certain times don't panic.

It's more like a graph that goes up and down but the overall trend moves towards the fatigue going away in the end. Sometimes it can seem to stay the same for AGES without much improvement, then you can all of a sudden in a very short space of time feel a massive step forward. So don't worry...the fatigue most definitely DOES go and your body will be resilient again so that it can do things and not feel tired all the time - I remember thinking that this is the way my body is and need to adapt, but eventually you do return to a stage where your body feels good again and not have to worry about fatigue - it's a marvellous feeling to look forward to.

Rolane you are most definitely right it is wicked and it will be defeated - fear not about this and don't be disheartened even though it's hard not to at times I know. There is plenty of hope. Jeffrey, just don't put too much pressure on yourself with your memory and cognitive functions at the moment, sometimes it's best just to accept that you're not on top form with these things for now but that you will be again. Try not to push through the fatigue too much, I think this is the no.1 mistake people make and it puts their recovery right back. That is not to say that you need to live like a hermit either, a healthy balance of manageable activities without stress is the best medicine.

Hang in there and you WILL make a full recovery - yes you George, you Rolane and you Jeffrey each individually - and everyone else reading this that message is also meant for. Thinking of you and message any time.

Craig

P.S. sorry for the length of my messages I do go on a bit I've just realised!

Don't be sorry I hang on your words!

I really hope you will heal soon! It is one slow process that's exhausting!! The only way is up I suppose.

No don't apologise! Honesty your words are so kind and encouraging it's really comforting to hear of similar stories and wonderful advice. Thank you!

PS loads of people call me George, I like it!! Haha