Mono need help
Posted , 34 users are following.
Hi so In June I woke up one morning feeling very weak. I thought I needed to eat something but when I ate breakfast I still felt weird. I ended up having my first panic attack. My entire summer was filled with ER visits for weakness, low energy, fatigue, dizziness, off balance feeling, and generally feeling unwell. It turns out I have mono (diagnosed a week ago). I don't know what to do. Just looking for others' stories and well and recovery process. It's my 3rd month and I just feel so helpless. ?? Thanks guys ! Blessing to all
2 likes, 733 replies
ashley44325 christy32934
Posted
Hi everyone I hope you are all feeling ok today! I’m struggling the last couple of weeks with the dizziness and mainly digestion problems. I have also developed black bags under my eyes and I’m not sure if it’s to do with the digestive issues or just being drained! Has anyone else had this? I’m at just over 7 months now and even the slightest bit of exertion is difficult 🤒 I’ve had all the scans on liver etc and the doctors have now given up
craig07920 ashley44325
Posted
Hi Ashley,
So sorry to hear you have been struggling....I think i had some dizziness when going through the virus, it's not at all nice - and most definitely I had being drained, which I think most people on the site have had unfortunately!
Just want to offer some reassurance that even though it's been 7 months, things will still get better Ashley - it took me about 10 months before I seen a proper turning point so don't give up hope, there is hope and you will still make a full and complete recovery, I truly believe that in Jesus name.
Hang in there
Craig
40with.gf. ashley44325
Posted
Hey Ashley,
ive had this 12 months now and also 10 months for me was a step up to feeling a lot better, I've constantly felt tired, weak, exhausted!! It's still ups and downs but I am getting better, slowly!! You will too. Like Craig says!
I have recently decided to try and cut out refined sugar. Or cut down!! I'm trying to give myself every chance of feeling great and getting over this virus for good!!
I saw an endocrinologist who said another 6 months to a year before I'm back to normal. It just goes to show how nasty this virus is and how long it takes to beat(for some anyway!!) but he was confident it would go. I will for you too.
caroline xx
lisa29739 ashley44325
Posted
Hi Ashley! I too had digestion issues. Turns out the stress of the virus caused gastritis. I started taking licorice root tablets and in about 3 weeks it started to clear up.
I too have to be careful with using my muscles. My husband brought up a good point- inactivity can cause a lot of problems. Even though there's no choice in the matter with Mono. I found that really easy stretching helped alleviate some of the aches.
I'm about 2 months behind you. I couldn't imagine being sick for a month let alone this long. Cheers to everyone recovering in the new year!
Mono_too ashley44325
Posted
It has been 13.5 months and in the last two months have been feeling back to normal for the most part, have a few down days here and there, But i know not to overdo and just rest when I get those feelings. At 7 months I was still feeling awful.
craig07920 Mono_too
Posted
Great to hear you're making some good progress Mono, you've been through a time of it for sure and hoping things keep on the upward curve from here on in - you've done well to persevere through this giving encouragement to others throughout your own and other family member struggles, so well done for that and you defeinitely deserve a better Christmas and 2018 will be the year of recovery and restoration praise God for that!!
Craig
Mono_too craig07920
Posted
Thank you. Having this virus gives you new appreciation for life and good health. I hope that your back issues are resolving and that you have a wonderful Christmas and 2018 too.
craig07920 Mono_too
Posted
You're definitely right with that Mono. Thanks so much for the best wishes too I really appreciate it at this time, hoping for a great Christmas and 2018 for you and your family too!
Craig
Sunnygirl123 craig07920
Posted
I’m new here, but have loved reading through your supportive posts!! I’ve had mono/ glandular fever for around 5 months, and although now have good and bad days, still have horrible anxiety (which I’ve never had before), panic attacks sometimes, and it has affected my vision so much I now need glasses. It’s been so helpful watching you make a full recovery, esp when I feel freaked out by bad vision, or bad anxiety. Thank you all for your wonderful encouraging posts!
Mono_too Sunnygirl123
Posted
The anxiety is the worst, mine has gone for the most part, it started leaving at about ten months. It seems to get lighter and lighter, its a good sign that you have some good days here and there that is how the recovery starts with a lot of ups and downs, but you do eventually recover.
Sunnygirl123 Mono_too
Posted
christy32934
Posted
Hello lovely people !! How is everyone doing ? I'm still struggling with these symptoms and even though i went back to school and am away I think about you guys a lot. Hope everyone had a good day !!
jasmine63951 christy32934
Posted
Hi all,
I've found hope in reading your posts. Sometimes I feel very alone in this. I started feeling badly in March of this year so it's going on 9 months for me. It took 5 months for them to diagnose me. I started feeling a little better in September. I'm keeping the faith that one day I will be myself again. This is the sickest I've ever been in my entire life and it's been a tough year for me and my family. It has certainly given me a new appreciation for my health. I'm praying for all of you to fully recover and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. God Bless.
christy32934 jasmine63951
Posted
Hi Jasmine,
I understand, this is the sickest ive been too. And yes this experience is definitely a tough one for our loved ones as well. I’m glad to hear you’re feeling a little better. May one day , everyday can be a great one. God bless you too & same to you !
40with.gf. jasmine63951
Posted
Hi jasmine,
it's lovely to hear from you!
gosh yes, I have never experienced an illness like this before and as you say I too have a new appreciation to health!!
Im 41 and have had this since last December. I'm much better than I was but progress is slow.
I saw an endocrinologist the other week and he said quite confidently that this will go and it will be another 6 months to a year.....which is really realistic considering how slow it is.
i have cried a river, the emotional side is just as tough as the physical. It's just so,up and down , as you probably know!
I too have found the people who use this forum very lovely and supportive and we all seem to be slowly going in the right direction!! Even if it is SLOWLY!!
take care, think positive
Caroline (u.k) xxx
craig07920 jasmine63951
Posted
Hi Jasmine,
Really do understand and want you to know that when you feel alone there is a good network of people on the forums here who know what it's like to go through and can just chat away, it took me 10 months to see a turning point when I never thought one would come, but it did come Jasmine and I believe it will come for you too and that you will make a full recovery. Just seems to be different for everyone, some folk take longer than others unfortunately, but by far the period you have been through will be the worst and the intensity will lessen as time goes on and often people to take a big step forward in a short space of time after being unwell for a long time with it - so hang in there there is most definitely hope today!!
Thanks for your prayers too Jasmine, praying for you also and remember to hang in there and that you WILL get better.
Craig
P.S. Taking vitamins and herbs can make a difference, a multi-vitamin per day, B complex, extra levels of Vitamin C and D, and immune boosting herbs like siberian ginseng can all help
Mono_too jasmine63951
Posted
I have had it since late last October and have been feeling better for the last two months, with occasional down days, these are less and less, I too am grateful, the last year has been a nightmare.
jasmine63951 christy32934
Posted
jasmine63951 40with.gf.
Posted
Yes, it truly is up and down. I've learned to read scripture or listen to praise music on my worst days. I remind myself it's just a bad day. It brings me through knowing that God has a plan for my life! This is just a season.
jasmine63951 craig07920
Posted
Thank you so much, Craig! Your encouragement means so much to me. This has been a season if growth for me, and growth is not easy, but I'm learning to give all control over to God. I've been taking supplements since August now and I believe they are making a big difference! I appreciate your prayers!
brent_83487 jasmine63951
Posted
Mono_too brent_83487
Posted
I think that this virus has just morphed and is stronger, my daughter continues to struggle at 13 months with better days here and there, I am doing better, one day it just seemed to lift, my granddaughter is feeling better but still sleeps a lot and is on independent study, she has been sick since April.
lisa29739 jasmine63951
Posted
Hey Jasmine. I feel the same about reading these posts. It offered so much reassurance. I can't believe it took 5 months to diagnose you?!!! I thought 5 weeks was ridiculous but man that is awful!
I'm currently in a remission of sorts, again. About two weeks of the horrible painful muscle fatigue being gone. I still tire easy but this feels like a huge milestone. I've been on an anti viral for two weeks now so I'm not sure if it's helping. My Naturopath thinks so. I'll be less skeptical once I go at least a month without a relapse!
I hope things start really taking a turn for the good for you! And for all of us. Hang in there. At least we get to binge everything on Netflix?
jasmine63951 brent_83487
Posted
Brent, I am so sorry you've been dealing with this for so long. Please don't give up hope. From everything I've read all of us recover at different rates. I know God has a plan for your life and loves you. We just have to keep clinging to Him and trust that He loves us more than we could possibly imagine. I'm praying for you! Hugs!
jasmine63951 lisa29739
Posted
The five months of not knowing was awful. I truly thought I was dying. It was such a relief to just have an answer. Physically I felt the same when I got to the diagnosis, but mentally I felt so much better. I had been to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor , a Neurologist, a Gastroenterologist, and I had countless scans and tests before I was told of a wonderful doctor who was the one to diagnose me. I really felt like giving up so many times, but I have two teenage boys who I knew I had to be here for. I'm so glad you are beginning to see some good progress! 😊 I am thankful for Netflix!!
lisa29739 jasmine63951
Posted
I had such a similar ordeal (although not as long). 3 ER trips, a neurologist, endocrinologist, 3 primary care docs and a gastroenterologist. And I have two teenagers too! So nuts. And yep the 5 weeks I went without knowing were the worst. I had several full blown panic attacks (while not ever having had one before.) The diagnosis alleviated my anxiety. Still struggled with the blues though.
My mentor sent this to me and it has stayed with me through this whole ordeal. "As much as we'd like, we are never able to see the true value of our experiences while they are happening. But all of them do bring growth. Trust the timing and stay present as much as you can. Know that this too is impermanent." It brought me a lot of comfort.
Sunnygirl123 lisa29739
Posted
You’ve done an amazing job going through that, with teenagers!!
40with.gf. brent_83487
Posted
Hi Brent,
i just want to say how incredibly well you have done to work through this dreadful virus. That's a feat in itself! It's been a year for me also and I'm still signed off work, I am doing much better but I know it's going to take just a bit longer to shake this off for good. But it will happen, I will go and we will all be back to full health
Never give up.you a stronger than you think.
Caroline xx
Sunnygirl123 brent_83487
Posted
I’ve also found praise music helpful, and seeing that nearly everyone on this forum has improved in some way, that means our bodies are fighting it and we will get better!!
I guess it’s just keeping our mind on the good days, and even comparing now versus our worst days. Keep up the good work!
craig07920 Sunnygirl123
Posted
Hi Brent,
It's so understandable how you feel, I really do get it that you get so weary and tired of it all and you have been fighting and trying so hard you just don't know how to keep going. I have been feeling a bit like that for other reasons lately. It really is so hard. I am so encouraged by the words of Jasmine and yourself about listening to praise music and things. That's maybe something I need to try doing, I do trust God and it's hard to hold on during tough times but He tells us that He never leaves us and is always there with us, even when we don't feel like it, and that He always works for the good of those who believe in Him and keep trying.
Wish it was easier I really do! Brent hang in there I'm definitely thinking about you and definitely do believe you will make a full recovery still. Some doctors can be so unkind and nasty in the things they say to patients without thinking of how it makes them feel. There are so many people who took a year or longer to recover but still made a full recovery, I was like that too and just want to reassure that it can and WILL happen - I've learned that all doctors seem to be trained just to write people off as CFS if this thing goes on for longer than 6 months, and most of them don't have a clue what the real recovery time is and that people DO still get better after a year or more.
Trusting in God is the best thing we can all do! Thanks so much Jasmine for your kind words too, really thinking about you, Brent, Mono, Lisa, Caroline and Sunny at this time.
Craig
lisa29739 Sunnygirl123
Posted
Aww thanks! My kids have been super supportive which is awesome
I tried to go on a super low dose of lexapro to help with the anxiety but I didn't tolerate it at all. It made everything worse, including the fatigue. Luckily it's subsided. I can't believe you could work! I have not been able to commit to anything. Every day is so different.
craig07920 lisa29739
Posted
I know Lisa, every day is such a battle when going through this, just wanted you to know still thinking about you and reassure that things do get better even after a period of time when it seems like they won't - next year going to be a much better year I really do believe.
Craig
lisa29739 craig07920
Posted
Sunnygirl123 lisa29739
Posted
I did have lots of days off work, and it has hit me a bit now I’m on holidays, so I probably think I shouldn’t have kept going as much as I did!!
You will get there Lisa, definitely! It’s so awful in the middle of it, but now some days are good- that means your improving
Sunnygirl123 craig07920
Posted
Thank you so much for your recommendations re vitamins etc. I was feeling awful the other day and was checking what you said was helpful. I got some extra vitamins and feel quite a bit better!! Thank you so much.
By the way, how are you feeling today? You were saying your back was sore?
lisa29739 Sunnygirl123
Posted
I wish I could have tolerated the lexapro. It gave me a horrible all over body tremor and terrible nausea. And actually the fatigue and weakness became so bad on day 4 of it I woke up in the middle of the night and actually thought I was about to die. I couldn't move anything and could barely breathe. I'll never ever forget that feeling. It was so so scary. I came off the medication the next day.
Yeah I had a solid 3 weeks stretch where I felt normal. It was glorious. But I pushed myself too hard and totally relapsed for almost a month. Right now I've been hit with 2 colds so it's been 3 weeks of that but compared to the mono it's a vacation! Thank you for your support! I send all of it right back atcha.
Sunnygirl123 lisa29739
Posted
No wonder you came off the lexapro!! That sounds so horrible. Nothing worse than something making you feel worse.
Wow you’re such a trouper getting through two colds!! Hopefully things will improve soon. Have you tried taking sports drinks like gateraide etc? I had some yesterday and felt much better afterward, but not sure if it was in my head or coincidence! I’m wishing you another 3 glorious weeks 😊
craig07920 Sunnygirl123
Posted
Hi Sunny,
Thanks for the lovely message. Oh I really do sympathise it is such a horrible virus, it's a nightmare to go through and really want to reassure you that it does get better and there is light at the end of the tunnel, just hoping it comes quickly and that 2018 can be a much healthier and happier year - I do believe it will be for you Sunny, hang in there!
Oh yes I've been having a terrible time too with my back and it has really affected how I've been feeling mentally, hoping next year can be better for us all!
Take care and hang in there
Craig
craig07920 lisa29739
Posted
Oh Lisa what a lovely thing to say, I just really want you and everyone on here to get better. It's only because I know how tough it is to go through the virus and tough times generally that I want to come on here and help others, because I know when I went through the virus it was a lonely time and a forum like this would have been a God send!!
Everyone who comes on and encourages even though going through hard times themselves are gifts on here Lisa, and you are most definitely a gift!! AND remember you ARE going to make a FULL recovery, without any doubt I still believe that.
Craig
craig07920 lisa29739
Posted
Hey Lisa / Sunny,
I have been taking Lexapro for a number of years now, they have been good for me but I know not everyone can tolerate them unfortunately. Another one that has helped me is Amitrypyline, it's particularly good for anyone struggling with nerve pain or for sleeping at night as you take them at night and they help you get a good sleep.
Craig
lisa29739 Sunnygirl123
Posted
I drink Smart Water with the electrolytes and sometimes vitamin water and yeah they definitely help! It's so funny I think we all have tried everything under the sun! The only thing left I have to try is acupuncture. But I'm planning on it the beginning of the year. Merry Christmas to you and a very healthy and happy new year!!
lisa29739 craig07920
Posted
Oooh I'll check that out! My nerves have been so out of whack from this. Something that could help settle them down at night would be a dream! Thanks Craig! Oh! May I ask how long it took for you to be able to start exercising again?
craig07920 lisa29739
Posted
Hey Lisa, it's hard to remember exactly for me as it was a while ago now, but definitely listen to your body when it comes to exercise and don't overdo things, anything you do do build up gradually for sure, and even things like short walks and things in your routine can make a big difference.
Craig
lisa29739 craig07920
Posted
That's what I was thinking. Before getting sick I was doing yoga 3-4 times a week. I'm dying to get back into it but it's pretty hard yoga. So I'll just keep with stretching and hope my muscles will bounce back once I'm healthy again. Walking is actually pretty ok for me when I'm not in the fatigue stage. Thank you for your response! Merry almost Christmas! Have a wonderful Christmas Eve!
Sunnygirl123 lisa29739
Posted
Sunnygirl123 craig07920
Posted
You’re so inspirational and helpful! If good karma is real, you have it in spades!!
I’m sorry to hear about your back, but you’ve been such a strength to everyone on this forum, I know you will get through this. You’ve survived glandular fever, then you can do anything.
craig07920 Sunnygirl123
Posted
Thanks so much Sunny Girl,
Your words are a great comfort to me and do help in a tough time for me too. I'm so grateful for you and others thinking about me when I'm feeling so low and in pain.
I just really hope and pray for your recovery Sunny Girl, I do believe you are going to get better, with God's help I really do believe that.
Craig