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

Feel like i should extend on that post ^ with some reasons why i might be feeling this way. I've been eating a bit of sweet foods these past few days because i miss treating myself to chocolate etc. Ive noticed before that i have felt worse after sugary foods so that could be why. Also i have been feeling a bit better mentally these past 2 weeks so I've been up and about a bit more.. leaving the house and taking the kids to the park etc. I have to remember to pace myself. I hate how fragile my body is at the moment. I need to remember i can't behave normally yet.

Just when you think it`s gone it reels you back in.

As far as housework, I am able to do the dishes and laundry. My husband does the rest. It is a burden for him since he still works full-time.  He has been a wonderful support to me while I have been ill.

I am back to sleeping in the guest room because of anxiety and insomnia.

I have not added iron, I do take a multi vitamin and B-12 and calcium and Co Q-10. I do eat a high protein diet with lots of vegetables.

Good news:  my doctor noticed several thyroid nodules.  The thyroid lab tests, ultrasound and biopsy came back normal so I do not need surgery. I am very thankful, I do not think I am strong enough to go through surgery.

We will get over this nasty virus!

I`m so pleased that you`re getting the emotional and physical support that you need. Please try Lavender oil for your insomnia and anxiety.I have used it for years now, without it I wouldn`t have slept at all the last few months.You can either dilute the oil with a carrier oil. The can be olive oil, almond oil or even sunflower oil.Just add about 10 drops to the oil.Put it behind your ears,under your chin on your chest,even under your feet.It`s great for the lymph glands.I also have thyroid nodules,3 on the right pole.I have been rubbing lavender oil on my thyroid and it   has helped. It`s fantasic for calming the nerves,especially anxiety.Thank God you have a wonderful husband.I`m sure you`ve looked after him all through the years too.I hope your mother-in-law gets better soon.Take care of you 🙂

Hi everyone,

Angel Rose...hang in there you will recover from this horrible virus. It definitely tries to beat your body about and it can be so disheartening and make you feel like there is something wrong why you are not recovering quicker, I felt the same when I had it, took me quite a while and I was worried and anxious a lot but I did get there and fully recover. You will too, you are doing the right thing taking a strong multi-vitamin, also good are B complex and Co Q10 as Gerbear says....another couple I would recommend is Siberian Ginseng and Oregano, they are good for the immune system and I've found benefits greatly from using them.

Aquin....same for you just hang in there this virus does things like 1 step forward 4 backwards 2 forwards 1 backwards 3 forwards 2 backwards....I can only imagine how weary and tired of this you must be just want you to know I'm thinking of you and to let you know that there is plenty of hope today and you will get better so your body doesn't feel so fragile anymore - at one point I thought I had to accept that's how my body was now, but gradually over time it builds its resilience back up again and one day all of a sudden you will realise that you can handle a long day or a bit extra work or a full day of activity without feeling beaten up afterwards - that will come most definitely even though I know it doesn't help when you're going through it at the time.

Thinking of you all and sending best wishes - I strongly feel the good will and sincerity of all the people who have posted and visit this forum, there is something within me that tells me that everyone who finds this forum and is brave enough to share their stories and seek help and hope will make an amazing and marvellous recovery - so if you are reading this message now that includes you! I fully believe in a complete recovery for everyone - just hang in there I know it's not easy. Thinking of you!

Craig

Hi Craig, 

Your words have come at a perfect time. Thank you so so much for your words. They really inspire me to not feel like giving up. 

This week has been a great week for me, I've been out and about for a few days, but I feel like I've really pushed it yesterday and paying for it today. My whole body aches and my arms and legs are going numb but today I've had even more pain and burning eyes as if I haven't slept. I hope this will pass after a few days. 

Do you believe that it pushes back your recovery? 

Thank you so much again,

Georgie 

Hi Georgie / Angel Rose,

Oh please don't give up there is plenty of hope for you, I really believe that you will both recover in a tremendous way, even better than you can imagine at the moment.

I think it's about finding a good balance Georgie, it's still good to do things if you feel able to and especially things that de-stress you, like seeing friends or doing something positive that you enjoy but equally that also isn't too physical or take too much out of you. It's worse mentally if you are doing nothing at all so I wouldn't recommend that, but I also wouldn't recommend working too hard or trying to go at your normal pace either because you need plenty of rest to allow you to recover. Just listen to your body is the key really, fresh air and small walks and things are good but so is plenty of rest and avoiding stress as much as possible.

It's not easy, it's so frustrating I know, I remember how physically and mentally and emotionally draining it is to go through it - but Georgie you are young and have lots of youthful and energetic years ahead of you - this is only a setback and you most definitely will make a fully recovery, and there will come a point again when you feel able to push things a bit more without feeling so bad the next day, but in the meantime try to be patient and just listen to your body (hard as it is I know) and importantly don't worry - this is very normal what you are experiencing and it doesn't mean you won't recover, in fact I think it's all part of the recovery process, it's just a shame that it takes longer than we would hope sometimes.

Thinking of you all, and you too Angel Rose, I 100% believe you will get through this hard time and recover fully.

Craig

The neighbours probably think I`m weird as I seldom leave the house.

I do have a positive attitude but I`m just really scared I won`t get over this.

My hope is that I will recover like my Dad did.  At the age of 76, he had mono and did fully recover after one year.  I am 9 months into this, so I guess I just need to keep resting. 

Hi Angel Rose,

I completely understand, I felt the same way when I had glandular fever, it really got me down and I felt my body was so fragile unable to do anything without making me feel bad or exhausted or wiped out or whatever. I know it's different for everyone but I think it was really in stages that I recovered, and probably the biggest step forward was after around 10 months or so, just after I'd had quite a relapse before that. You will definitely not feeling anything like as bad into the second year, I feel sure of that - don't lose hope because I really believe you will get better. I went through all the same fears and emotions as you and I did recover, and that was 10 years now. The same will be true for you - I really believe that truly and honestly.

You feel like your body will never recover or never have the resilience it did have before, but key thing to remember is your body has far more stamina than this awful virus does - the immune system eventually gets on top of it and keeps it under control and it just lies dormant there not harming you any more - you have plenty to look forward to - hang in there! I'm no expert of anything but my personal experience is very similar to many on here and I want you and others to know there IS a full and quality life after glandular fever - it doesn't signal the end of any good thing. Message any time I will keep my eye on the forum and always happy to chat away.

Take care

Craig

Just a quick foonote today to say I'm thinking about everyone and still fully believe in everyone's recovery from mono / glandular fever - don't give up even at the hardest and most disheartening of moments, don't beat yourself up either - it's normal for it to take longer than you expect, but it still will come good in the end. You WILL get better and through this horrible time, I really truly believe that. Be kind to yourself and remember still to do the positive things you enjoy that de-stress you but that don't take too much physical or mental energy out of you too. Balance is the key!

Take care

Craig

HI Angel Rose,

I was a bit baffled as to how I caught it too, although there are lots of ways and not just kissing! Things like drinking glasses with the virus on it was one thing I think I read at one point.

Oh you will get better try not to worry I know it's hard. I remember how exhausting it was to go through and that's why I want to reassure others that there is light at the end of the tunnel of this. It won't always be this way and at 9 months i don't think it will be too long before you start to see a difference, so hang in there!

Craig

Yes, mono(GF) is passed by saliva. I have NOT been kissing anyone except my husband.  I am guessing that I might have got the virus from someone else's saliva at a party/potluck dinner I attended about a month before my symptoms started.  Maybe I accidentally drank from someone's glass or maybe they contaminated the food they brought. People can be a EBV carrier without being sick.

My doctor said that it is usually a mystery how people get mono 

Today is a good day for me, I am thankful for that since I have 5 bad days in a row.

I was able to clean the kitchen today, that makes me feel better to be well enough to tidy up!

Yes best not to worry about how you got the virus, just how to deal with it is the important thing. Well done on managing to get stuff done yesterday that was great - you are making progress and it will keep coming and recovery is on its way!

Take care and thinking of you

Craig

I am five months into this awful thing, I was feeling a little better for about 10 days and then i was hit with weakness and fatigue almost like a depression. The blood work came back and I have Epstein Barr neg IGM but high titers for everything else. Do you have any advise I worry it coud be something more.

Hi Mono,

So sorry to hear you've had such a nasty attack and been going through this terrible time. Just want to offer some reassurance that it certainly can be very normal to have this kind of thing, especially inside the first six months, where you're struggling and maybe feel a little better but then feel like it hits you for six again.

Best advice really is to try and not worry, although I know that's easier said than done, see the doctor of course if you are concerned but it does sound like the course of this awful virus. And the good news is that eventually your body gets it under control and kicks it into touch - the first five months are by far the worst and although it may still take a bit of time yet, the intensity won't be as bad and improvements will come until you feel much more like yourself again.

Taking vitamins and herbs definitely something I would recommend, a good strong multi-vitamin, co-enzyme Q10 and B complex for energy levels, and an immune boosting herb like siberian ginseng or oregano.

It's so hard when going through it I know, hang in there just make sure you get plenty of rest and remember there is hope and recovery, I really believe that for you! I went through the same, and many others have too and come out the other end, and you will too! Remember every relapse like what you've been having is actually in a strange way a good thing in that your body is getting to grips with another element of the virus and those kind of attacks will become less and less as time goes on.

Hang in there and thinking of you.

Craig

Thank you for the words of encouragement. Some days are better than others and then it just hits you again, it is good to know it doesnt last forever. it just feels that way.

I wish we had more stories of recovery. 

Hi Mono too,

just wanted to encourage you with my recovery story. I took glandular fever last July and over 7 months later I would say I'm maybe 85% recovered. After feeling like you that the symptoms would never go and I would never be able to resume my normal life, I can tell you I'm now back at work 1 day per week and thinking of increasing to 2 days as I'm coping fine at the minute. I am able to walk my dog 2 miles most days and have returned to my weekly exercise class without any trouble. I still have to be careful not to overdo things and I have learned the hard way to listen to my body and rest when I need to, but I am hopeful that soon I will be able to draw a line under the whole episode with God's help. I believe we go through all trials for a reason and I hope my suffering( mild compared to what some people have to face) has made me a better person with more compassion for others. 

I do wish you all the best and trust that very soon you can add your own recovery story to this forum. 

Blessings

Christine

Thank you so much for the kind words.

I am able to work lightly, I am very lucky that I am able to work from home for the most part.

I also believe all things happen for a reason and am trying not to be discouraged, but it is so hard to have a set back.  I would love to add my recovery story to yours and hopefully more people will also to give encouragement to those still suffering with this miserable sickness.

When did you start to feel your energy come back?

Hi Mono,

Just take things one day at a time and don't look too far ahead is the only way you can deal with this, because each day having to deal with those symptoms can be so hard I know.

It was 10 years ago I had glandular fever but thanks to God the last 9 of those have saw me generally healthy in that respect, and the same will be the case for you too. A bit turning point for me came around 9 months and that's really when I started to feel like I was making progress, but for some it may not take that long, for everyone it's different, so don't worry and just be reassured that you will make a full recovery.

Hang in there!

Craig

Hey Christine,

Thanks for this lovely message, it sounds very much like you went through a similar path to what I did, I was feeling quite similar to you after 7 months. God will definitely help and heal, that's the most important thing to remember for sure!!

Hoping that improvement continues to come Christine and thinking of you.

Take care

Craig

I began to recover a little energy back in September and tried to go back to work- big mistake. I relapsed worse than ever and from then it was many weeks of gradual improvement to the point I am now at. Some weeks passed without feeling any better, but then I realised I could do a little more without feeling total exhaustion and then the light appears at the end of the tunnel. Lots of patience required for this illness I'm afraid, so hang on in there a new day is coming! Blessings

good to hear from you again. Your positivity is a lifeline to many on this site so keep up the good work. 

Blessings to you and yours this day. 

Christine 

Hi Christine,

Thanks so much for the kind words it means a lot, especially when you're not feeling great yourself to lift someone else up says a lot of marvellous things about your character!

I just want you and everyone to get better from this horrible virus, don't want it ruining everyone's life the way it does, it has no right to do that and it's important we stand together with God and remember there is hope and recovery for everyone who visits this website and reads these message - I really believe that Christine and just hoping and keeping the belief without any doubt that you will see some real improvements soon,

Take care and remember nothing like this lasts forever.

Craig