Severe anxiety about getting mono again

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It has been almost a year since I was diagnosed with mono. I was very ill for about three months and I finally got better after about five months. Ever since then, though, I have been traumatized. Every time I feel run down or fatigued, I assume that I am getting mono again. However, these past two days I have been extremely fatigued and I just have a general feeling of being unwell. I am really freaking out because about two weeks ago, I took a sip of a drink that a few of my friends drank out of before and I think one of them might have mono. I keep having panic attacks about this because I cannot endure being that sick again, especially while being a full time college student. Mono really ruined me mentally, and I am still trying to recover from it. Does it sound like I'm getting mono again/how likely is it to get full blown mono again? Any insights would be really appreciated.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Madison,

    The recovery time you mentioned is pretty impressive when compared to others that post here. Looking at the other topics you have opened in the past I believe you may had anxiety even prior to acquiring mono. I would recommend (I am not a doctor) you take it easy, rest, drink fluids, don't read too much into it and take vitamins that work for you. It will be harder being a full time student and this may be contributing to your fatigue.

    Unfortunately (and from my experience as I am still going through this, diagnosed in July of this year) The stress and anxiety of all the related symptoms to having mono is what makes the body have a hard time shaking it and I personally believe it unleashed on me during a stressful week at work (had a project going live and lots of pressure). I want to say you probably would not get it again, but if you create the environment for it (stress, anxiety, etc.) it will not help you.

    To add to this, I can see first hand how awful this virus can be (had given myself anxiety and has caused stress), but I have finally decided I cannot be stressed or anxious about something that is not fully in my control. Try to not think about it (I know this is hard), but just work on the above and maybe look into meditation. There are some apps that are very popular that you can look into as well.

    I hope this helps you.

  • Posted

    Hi Madison,

    I totally understand what you are going through, this virus is so horrible and intense it certainly is normal that it is only understandable to feel that way when you start to feel unwell or get some symptoms again. I just want to reassure you that you are going to be okay, for me in the couple of years after first infected with mono, I had a couple of episodes like yours when feeling like 'it's happening all over again', and it felt so intense and frightening, but it really did settle down very quickly and thankfully with God's help only I was okay after a week or two.

    Key thing to keep in mind Madison is that the EBV virus can only infect your system once, so that is why often you read in places that you can only get mono / GF once. Sometimes within that first year or two it can be normal to have mini reactivations, but it doesn't mean in any way that you will go through what you went through at first - the virus in no way after this length of time harm you like it did in the first few months that you had it, your body is much more equipped now to control it and usually gets on top of any episodes like that fairly rapidly after a year or two.

    So hang in there Madison, I know what you're going through it truly is awful as had the same fears and worries myself after this dreaded virus, but God is the great healer and I truly believe you are going to be okay and remember not to panic if you get any symptoms, they almost always settle down very quickly but of course it's always good to check in with doctor to discuss any concerns and hoping they can put your mind at rest.

    Thinking about you and absolutely I truly believe from my own experience of this virus, reading the stories and experiences of so many others on the forum here, that you are NOT going to have full blown mono again - truly the likelihood of that is very very very slim - but I know it's hard not to worry or panic, thinking about you and hoping that everything settles and you are feeling much better soon. Message any time!

    Craig

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