Mono recovery story collection!!
Posted , 52 users are following.
Hey everyone,
Let's post some positive mono recovery stories so that they're all in one place to give people encouragement. I think there's a negative post bias that understandably happens where most people post when they're concerned, but not when they've recovered. This can give someone viewing the posts a pessimistic impression of recovery. On the other hand reading someone's recovery story, including the darkest parts of the illness, can give hope and aid in the healing process.
I'm still in recovery myself, so I don't have a story yet, but I invite you all to post your recovery story, or other stories you've found / been told.
Thanks!
-Jesse
8 likes, 282 replies
jessie02207 jesse27406
Posted
craig-
i guess the hardest part for me is that i cant seem to keep my eyes open . i cant tell if its getting better or staying the same. i believe im fighting chronic stress, depression and anxiety all amoungst the fatigue from mono. ive tried to do small things and i manage to get some done, but thats all i can do. the tiredness is so over powering that im truly concerned. all that being said, it also messed with my menstrual cycle (tmi) but im wondering if any ladies could give some insite on that. how is everyone else feeling? im 5 3/4 months in on this... i was taking magnesium also but that made me feel really sick, so i stopped . im still getting headaches but im starting to chop that up to being so tired all the time.. tylonal doesnt even touch said headaches.. please give me more hope!!
craig07920 jessie02207
Posted
Hi Jessie,
The depression, anxiety and stress caused by this virus really are so awful. I was on the floor with my emotions and distress with this thing on many occasions within the first six months too, it is just the most awful thing and wouldn't wish it on anyone in the world.
I would definitely encourage you not to be hard on yourself or expect too much of yourself...it is VERY hard to understand / comprehend how this virus makes you feel when in the middle of it - a lot of the time I just felt like I didn't know what was going on or why all I knew was that I didn't feel well, a lot of the time I couldn't even explain it to anyone else how I felt. So don't panic Jessie this experience can be very normal, this virus has no rhyme nor reason with its zig-zag recovery and all sorts of horrible and intense symptoms, I think the best way is just to try not to analyse it so much and just cope with each day, accept that things may not be great right now but that things will absolutely and truly get better with a little more time - remembering that this virus often just takes extended time to recover from and that what you're going through now is the worst part and things will get better and you will reach full recovery over the coming months.
The tiredness and fatigue is awful and draining - that's why it's important to be kind to yourself, remember that your body is going through a nasty nasty virus and that it's okay if you need to rest more and can't get as much done as you normally would - doing the smallest of things can be big achievements during this virus, and just remember your body strength and resilience will return again - as I say for me I was still pretty low after six months but fast forward another six months and things really had turned around and was really working towards full recovery.
Hoping very much that everything settles and that some ladies can offer some good advice / words of support on the menstrual cycle too. I might have mentioned before in previous message, but Feverfew is a good supplement for headaches and soothing / calming the nervous system, as can cayenne pepper and chamomile be, although I know these can make you tired but hopefully it's in a better way than the horrible draining fatigue.
Thinking of you and the message for today is don't panic if things are not great at the moment, because things WILL change and you WILL overcome this and reach full recovery with time and God's help!
Craig
gabe26065 jesse27406
Posted
Hi Graig and fellow Mono Patients!
I was on this discussion 7 months ago when I had my first encounter with the virus, now I am 7 months in and it seems things were good but progressively they are getting worse.
After the initial horrible infection I started having very minor background tonsillitis, with some swelling, very little pain and extreme tiredness (this is how I knew it was the after effect of Mono), nothing major, no fever or extreme symptoms, it happened every month since that day, until February when I started it with a minor similar case and turned into a full fledged strep throat. This month was the worst All of it was just pain and medication and at this point I had enough, so I went to my family doctor and I was hoping he can recommend me an ENT doc just because I want my tonsils out forever, but he recommended me an Infectious Disease Specialist after he knew my history with EBV.
So I went to the Specialist and according to him Surgery is not recommended anymore and there is ways to deal with it, and we will start some kind of treatment once my strep throat is fully resolved.
Now I really need your advise guys, is it true that tonsils will get better with time if it was caused by EBV? do you recommend surgery? I do not want to go under the knife if I don't have to, I am now entering the 8th month post infection and I really hope it is only a matter of time before it all goes away forever.
My hope is up because I met a Mono patient who suffered with tonsillitis as well after Mono but it resolved on its own without surgery.
So guys what do you suggest?
craig07920 gabe26065
Posted
Hi Gabe,
It is nice to see a post from you I remember you from the earlier messages. So sorry to hear you're having a tough time after things being a little more stable, often this is the way with this nasty virus that recovery is very zig-zag up and down back and forward, don't panic though because things will get better. For me I had some blips and setbacks in that 6 to 9 month phase, quite a bad setback at 9 months with joint and muscle aches and bruising, but after that seen real breakthrough and progress starting from 10 months onwards - so hang in there things do and will get better, just so frustrating it can take a while but you will get there.
Hoping very much that the throat and tonsils settle down. I was lucky in that I didn't have too much persistent trouble with tonsils or throat during the virus, I can understand why you wouldn't want to have to get any surgery of course and I think it can be common for people to have these issues during mono and then not have any real bother with it again once you are feeling better, hoping the docs can offer some good advice / help with this.
Oregano I've found is a good herb for mouth and throat issues, maybe worth a try. Another good one is the baking soda remedy, 1/2 tea spoon full of baking soda dissolved in plain water taken twice a day on an empty stomach for 1-2 weeks (no longer at the one time as the alkalinity of the baking soda maybe not good to take longer term). I've found this a good remedy when having throat or virus issues, it is very good at fighting infection due to the alkaline quality and swishing it around and gargling in the throat / tonsils are before swallowing worth a try for sure.
Hoping for a breakthrough in your recovery very soon Gabe and remember you will get through this and back to full health again - truly you will, and that's coming from me who was still struggling a lot after 7 months but seen progress thanks to God only a few months further down the line. Hang in there.
Craig
gabe26065 craig07920
Posted
Thank you Craig for your kind words, I actually switched my water to natural alkaline water for a while now, but I will try your recipe and let you know how things go.
One thing I increased my intake lately of was alcohol, and now I decided to stop its consumption totally, maybe it is playing a role in making things worse for my case. I am hopeful in my doctor, he seems to be very confident that surgery is not necessary and that I will get better. He said that my next treatment is to strengthen my tonsils and my immunity, since my blood test revealed that the virus is still active in my blood.
Hoping for the best currently and I feel like all my plans for the future are kinda on hold until I figure things out.
craig07920 gabe26065
Posted
Hi Gabe,
It's such a hard journey mono that is for sure, I think unless you have walked in those shoes it's hard to understand how intense the virus can be physically, mentally and emotionally.
Just hoping that what the doctor has said / advised can encourage you and it means that there isn't going to be a need for surgery. Problems with tonsils must be horrible and I just hope and pray so much things settle down, that sounds like a good step you've made with the alkaline water, and just keeping an alkaline diet and trying the baking soda remedy I hope can help too. Yeah definitely think it's wise to avoid alcohol, I know that is not always easy if you are used to taking alcohol and maybe it's just taking your body a bit to adjust but in the long run I think for sure that is the best thing when dealing with the virus to avoid alcohol as much as possible.
Hang in there Gabe, just take things one day at a time and remember there is recovery from this virus - God willing you have been through the worst months of this and that the period of breakthrough and recovery is ahead. It's so hard when you feel your life is on hold I know that feeling too, but you will get back to full health and an active way of life again beyond this virus Gabe, truly I believe that given my own recovery experience and the recovery stories of many others on the site who went through rough rough times for many months but then made a full recovery. Take care of yourself and just rest when you need to and know that better times are ahead, even if it's hard to see it right now.
Craig
jessie02207 jesse27406
Posted
i was reading this post early and was thinking how happy i was to only have dealt with the throat once.. and here i am with the sore throat and fever got all the way to 103.. i just wish this dang virus would go away!
craig07920 jessie02207
Posted
Oh Jessie I hope so much that your sore throat and fever will settle down and get much better soon. The low grade fever was the awful thing which I found terrible and constant throughout the virus - but it does go away believe me Jessie, it was one of the lingering symptoms but in time that switch gets turned off and your body starts to feel much better.
Hang in there and thinking about you - remember recovery and better times are ahead - you ARE going to get back to full health again - I truly believe that and trusting God with that. Hoping for a better and more settled week for you.
Craig
holly25225 jesse27406
Posted
Hi all,
I have not been on this forum in so long!
I saw this post and wanted to shed a bit of light on that everyones experience is so different.
i was diagnosed last April so 11 months ago now, with a raging temperature glands up all over my body that i could hardly move, my throat shut and just a complete sense of dread, worry and fear for the future.
I took almost complete bed rest for 2 weeks, and then another 2 weeks just doing the minimum and honestly within 3 months i was back to full health, infact better than i had been for years. I had energy, i felt happy and that has continued. I have days where i feel exhausted and a little down but i think thats life really and i wouldnt say it could be linked.
I'm a trainee teacher doing 60 hours a working week and still cramming in the university life style and social time. What im trying to say is this illness doesnt mean life is over it gets better and in some cases the road isnt that long! You just have to will yourself to get better and try and keep pushing forward.
Hope everyones keeping, just remember there is life after glandular fever x
craig07920 holly25225
Posted
Hey Holly,
It is lovely to see a post from you and so pleased to hear that you are feeling well and doing much better now. Thanks for your words of encouragement and hope for everyone, I always find it amazing and inspirational when someone comes on after going through a tough time with the virus and lets people know there is hope, recovery and life after this horrible virus!
Wishing you continued good health and many blessings and good luck with the trainee teaching! And hoping very much that others can draw strength and hope from your post and recovery story!
Craig
lori93950 holly25225
Posted
wow you got over it so fast ! i think age has a lot go do with it the older you are the longer and harder it is ...im guessing you are young maybe in your 20's but glad you were sensible and rested. a lot of us went undiagnosed for so long many months so we just continued on working out etc which peobably didnt help
kaymono lori93950
Posted
Hi lori and Craig,
I am so sorry for being out of touch lately - I hope you all have been doing well.
I must say, The last couple of months has been a rollercoaster for me. Feeling good at the moment though the sleep is still a hit or miss. And guess what? I am pregnant! Had my 12 week scan this week and so far looking good. Must say that so far it has been just abit of tiredness but not as bad as when I was at my worst with mono.
Let me know how you guys are doing.
lori93950 kaymono
Posted
congratulations ! thats great news ! please GOD you can continue to recover and hopefully the extra hormones may even help .
im still sick some horrendous days then an ok one ... its all up and down .
craig07920 kaymono
Posted
Hi Kay,
It is great to hear from you, I have still been thinking about you and have been hoping that less posts meant that you were seeing improvements for sure.
Congratulations on your pregnancy, I very much hope this can be the good news that really helps you move into a new and much happier and healthier phase of your life as you've been through so much lately.
Hoping very much that the sleep pattern can settle down and remember just to take extra care of yourself at this time (not that you need me to tell you that!). Do keep in touch Kay and still believing in full recovery and good health ahead for you, and hoping you can continue to feel well over the coming period.
Things for me have been a bit more settled too lately, still having some ups and downs and needing God's help with many things so just praying He can look after and protect us all, and especially you and the baby at this time during your pregnancy! Congratulations again!
Craig
kaymono lori93950
Posted
Sorry to hear that things are abit up and down for you lori, I am still very confident this year will be our year.
Funnily, at the moment it is the best I have felt for almost 2 years so you might be on to something with regards to the extra hormones.
Many thanks for your kind message.
kaymono craig07920
Posted
Thanks very much Craig. As usual your message means so much to me. I am feeling quite well at the moment, thank God. I will keep you posted of my progress. The little one is due in early September, so let's hope it continues to be smooth sailing.
Great to know that things are more settled for you at the moment also. That is really great news. Yes, let's continue to pray for his protection and for our recovery. I am sure this will be a good one for us all.
Thanks again.
craig07920 kaymono
Posted
That's great to hear Kay, hoping that things can continue to improve and move in the right direction. Absolutely agreeing with your prayers for protection and recovery, in Jesus' name.
Just look after yourself this next few months then Kay and hoping it can be a happy time your period of being pregnant. Your support and kind words mean a lot to me too Kay, still thinking about you and for sure keep us posted as to how things are going!
Craig
kaymono craig07920
Posted
Thanks very much Craig.
Will do.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
craig07920 kaymono
Posted
Thanks Kay, hoping that you have a great weekend also!
Craig
kaymono craig07920
Posted
Hi Craig and lori,
How are you guys doing?
I am now the mother of an almost 10 week old girl.
craig07920 kaymono
Posted
Hi Kay,
Many congratulations! I hope that things are going well for you and it is really nice to see a post from you and for you to remember me.
I'm afraid I've not been having a good time at all lately, I've been having some terrible neuropathy pain issues and at the moment I've really had to step back from a lot of things, it has been very distressing and I'm just hoping and praying for the healing hand of Jesus. Any prayers for me at this time would most definitely be very greatly appreciated and mean so much.
I hope that you are feeling much better yourself? It couldn't have been easy going through a pregnancy on the back of how you had been feeling, I am very much hoping and praying for good health and joy ahead for you and your family. Please do keep in touch!
Craig
kaymono craig07920
Posted
thanks very much Craig. We are doing well. Baby steals alot of my sleep however years of insomnia has prepared me for this. She is a joy and I am loving motherhood.
Funnily I felt really good during the pregnancy.
So sorry to hear you haven't been well. I will keep you in my prayers. I am sure our God will ensure your speedy recovery.
craig07920 kaymono
Posted
Yes remember that the insomnia will only be for the short term with the new born of course! I'm glad to hear that you are doing well, it's really good news to hear.
I'm so grateful that you will keep me in your prayers, I really have been struggling quite badly this past month and it means a huge amount to me.
Take care and wishing you all the best of health and blessings for you and your family.
Craig