Infectious mononucleosis
Posted , 4 users are following.
I was diagnosed w mono 4 weeks ago. I have been sock for about 8 weeks. Blood test... IGM negative, Early antigin igg positive, igg positive, nuclear antigen negative. I still have swollen tonsils no pain, weird ache in stomach, tight chest, actually had some blood in stool. Has anyone experienced this stomach involvement? I googled and that was bad as says lymphoma. All other blood work normal other than a marker for low b12. Also acid indigestion and excess gas.
0 likes, 8 replies
craig07920 alana67263
Posted
Hi Alana,
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been going through a terrible time with mono. I really do empathise having went through the virus a number of years ago, and also not been feeling myself lately with fatigue and nerve pain type issues. It's so hard and just wanted you to know I was thinking about you when I read your post.
It was quite a while ago now that I had mono so it's hard to remember everything exactly, I have read many people on the forums talking about stomach issues and I definitely think from what people have said that it can be a common symptom of the virus. And I most definitely want to reassure and encourage you that this WILL get better - I remember how beaten up my body felt and just how awful I felt a month or so after I was diagnosed, and it truly is awful but things with mono definitely do get better and you will get back to full recovery again - it's so important at this stage just to rest rest rest as much as you can, try to remove stress as much as possible, if you can please take time out from work, studies, school, whatever and put your health first, I know it's easier said than done. It is a nasty virus and it can take a little while to get back to full strength again, but my experience was that most definitely with time it does come - hang in there Alana I believe you are going to be well again. I know it was only down to God that I was able to get back to good health again after mono and I truly believe that God will get you through this too!
I'm afraid my knowledge of the technical side of blood results is very limited, but I know there are some on the forums who are much better at interpreting these things than me. It's always wise and important to get things checked with the doctor if there is blood in stool or anything like that - hopefully a visit to the docs maybe they could do a stool test if not done already and that could put your mind at rest I hope.
I went through the same worries and fear reading online about different things like lymphoma and everything, please please be assured that the vast vast vast majority of people with mono make a full recovery - remember that they say 90% or so of the western world population gets infected by EBV virus which causes mono at some stage of their life, many as children or young babies when they don't experience the full effects like an adult does - and the vast vast majority of these people are well and don't go on to have any complications or other issues as a result of mono - so try not to worry about things like this although I know it's easier said than done. Remember it is normal to feel very unwell in the first couple of months after mono diagnosis, but that things do get better!
Things that helped me during mono included taking vitamins and herbs - a good strong multi-vitamin per day, a B complex vitamin, higher doses of Vitamin C (1mg-3mg per day) and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng, echinicea and oregano. These can help your system cope much better when going through this horrible virus.
Hang in there Alana, thinking about you and remember just look after yourself, take it one day at a time and give yourself plenty of rest and recovery time at the moment, for as long as you need it. The forum here is a great one, some people who really know what it's like to go through (and recover from) mono and it can sometimes be better to come on here than read the scare stories that google throws up - remember that only documents the tiny tiny percentage who have issues and complications, the vast majority who get well again just get on with their lives and their stories are nowhere to be found on google - but they are out there!
Take care and remember God is the great healer - He will get you through this I truly believe that.
Craig
alana67263 craig07920
Posted
Thank you so much Craig. I have an appt. w a gastric dr on Tuesday, but my anxiety is in full gear. I feel I am getting better, but then I am google and feel all the symptoms. Please know I am praying for you as well. Have you been back to the dr for these new symptoms? I am 38, a teacher, and have 4 kids so resting has been difficult. Please pray my gastro appt. goes well.
craig07920 alana67263
Posted
Thanks for your kind words Alana, it definitely means a lot and I'm very grateful for your prayers too. Yes I have been seeing doctors with my symptoms too but finding it hard to get a breakthrough really, so I do understand and my thoughts are definitely with you.
I will most certainly pray that your appointment goes well on Tuesday Alana, I can only imagine how tough it must be with four kids and also your job. I do hope that you have a good support network around you which can help at this time. Probiotics is another great idea for your stomach if you've not already been taking them, I've found them so helpful for me, taking 2 probiotic tablets per day - or even eating something continuing probiotics like yoghurt, these simple things can make a big difference to your stomach I've found.
Hang in there Alana, you are going to get better I truly believe that in my heart and please let us know how you get on on Tuesday, I will be praying for you.
Craig
lisa29739 alana67263
Posted
Hey Alana- Yes I had stomach issues with mono. I actually ended up with gastritis. I saw a gastric specialist as well and he thought I had an ulcer so I had an endoscopy and all it showed was gastritis. I didn’t know about taking something like Pepcid AC or Zantac so I just lived with it for five weeks and it was pretty miserable. But I do believe it’s all normal with mono.
alana67263 lisa29739
Posted
I am glad to hear someone else suffered the same. Did you have heartburn issues? I have had excess gas, feels odd to swallow, slight blood in stool. I am nervous about my appt. w gastro dr as I dont want endoscopy or colonoscopy. The anxiety about something else is awful though. Thank you for answering. How long was your recovery and what did you do?
lisa29739 alana67263
Posted
I can completely relate. I did have trouble swallowing for a few weeks. I did not have heartburn but I had a burning gnawing clenching horrible pain in my stomach. It would go away after eating for about 45 minutes to an hour and then it would come back. So I was up all night every two hours eating yogurt. It was terrible! I actually just got gastritis again 4 weeks ago and this time I took Pepcid AC and it helped tremendously! I just needed to calm the acid down so that my stomach lining could heal. I got mono 2 1/2 years ago. I’m still definitely sick. I relapse really easy. I have zero exercise tolerance and have to manage my energy. Luckily I can work from home. I got mono at 37 and I have kids as well. The whole thing has been insane and so so hard. Just keeping hope that it’ll eventually run its course and I can get my life back! In the meantime I see a really great natural path doctor who provides a lot of comfort.
alana67263 lisa29739
Posted
Thank you for the reply. I am currently taking several natural herbs as well. Llysine, Olive Leaf, Echinecea, garlic, probiotics, vit d, vit c. I started w pepcid and dr prescribed prilosec but stopped it. I guess i should have kept it up. I hope you get better soon. This virus is awful!
craig07920 alana67263
Posted
Peppermint can be another great supplement for your stomach Alana - just realised you posted a bit later that you were already taking probiotics.
Craig