1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Infectious Mononucleosis

Terrible brain fog, memory/learning problems, emotional emptiness post Mono/Glandular Fever

Posted , 24 users are following.

Mono1996
Mono1996

Hey folks,

So I came down with what I now know was glandular fever in the middle of August of this year. I was suffering all the typical symptoms (incredible fatigue, fever, night sweats, nausea, headaches, huge lymph nodes). I thought it was just your typical flu and didn't give myself much rest as I was working two jobs and just about to start college and didn't want to let being sick get in the way of my first few weeks of being a fresher! Eventually I crashed with this debilitating brain fog, stoned, spaced out feeling where I couldn't focus on anything or hold onto a train of thought, I also started to feel numbness and tingling in my left arm and feet. So eventually I caved, visited the doctor and was diagnoised with mono. Took a week off and headed home to get some rest and one by one all my symptoms disappeared except for this brain fog which at this stage is pretty much constant thoughout the day and I still get occasional numbness and tingling along with slight arm tremors. 

Basically I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and recovered? And if so what steps did they follow if any to get better? No doctors seem to be able to understand what is going on and I've had both an MRI and a lumbar puncture to rule out brain tumors, encephaltis, MS etc. I've gone from being an active person who used to run and go to the gym 5 days a week, loved socialising with friends and studying to being reduced to a recluse who has no interest in anything, stays in his room most of the day and no longer goes out at night with friends. At the moment I feel like a shadow of the person I once was, like my personality has been zapped from me.

Apologies for rambling but this brain fog has made it difficult to add any structure to what I'm trying to say hahaha!

Any help would be greatly appricated! 

Mind yerselves guys!

3 likes, 78 replies

78 Replies

Prev
  • Jdavis
    Jdavis Mono1996

    Posted

    Hi everyone I seriously was having a low day towards the end of the day and was thinking is this ever going to end, do I have some neurological issue, and what should I do now. I saw this page and went through all of your post and REALLY appreciate everyones post and honesty...I thought I was about to go crazy for a sec.  I have crazy brain fog and just like your stories I am super active, prior military, mom, and I love fitness!  I thought I was over this and got something this past summer for 2 months...then I was completely back to normal I thought and within 4 months I was hit with it in December and still have the fog symptoms now at the end of March...I thought it would never come back, but again I think I was working out hard for a job and forgot to take all my nutrients. So I am back on my vitamins, I juice everyday, and eat clean. I am have no pain, Fatigue, but just brain fog that comes in the afternoon possibly after I get tired. It sucks. I take a Benadryl (1) tablet when the fog get unbearable to take the edge off. I don’t do pain killers. I nurse told me about taking a Benadryl tablet once when I had to go to the hospital because I had symptoms so bad at one point. So it has helped. I start acupuncture in a few days and hope that helps with stress etc.  so thank you all for the read and hope.  Also I have been able to go back to the gym up to 4 days a week.  Maybe this is helping or making it worse, but I just started back 3 weeks ago.  But I hope dog ends soon because everything feels normal, but the fog messes with me emotionally as well. Feels never ending. Good luck everyone and I hope this ends soon. Best wishes 
    • craig07920
      craig07920 Jdavis

      Posted

      Hey Jdavis,

      Oh really feeling your pain having been through this virus and the frustrations of it myself many years ago. It took me many months to start to turn the corner too but I just want to reassure you that even after that length of time things DO get fully better still, and the kind of experience you are going through is typical for the virus (not that it helps when going through it at the time) and it is normal to then go on and make a full recovery.

      Sounds like you are doing all the right things in terms of taking vitamins, herbs, etc. B complex vitamins and co-enzyme Q10 particularly good for brain fog and concentration levels, maybe taking a B100 vitamin per day on top of a good strong multi-vitamin would help if not already doing that of course.

      In terms of exercise and work, etc, just try to pace yourself it sounds like you have such a busy lifestyle and sometimes being on the go all the time just makes things worse with this I've learned - it's not the kind of virus like a flu or cold that you can push through and get by it, it needs rest as well, and that can even be in the form of some kind of stress relief, doing something relaxing that you enjoy like listening to music, watching a fav tv show, going for a short walk, reading, having a bath - whatever works for you.

      One therapy that I've found really helpful over the years for many things (not just mono) is Bowen Therapy - very safe and relaxing and non-evasive, but has really helped me and I believe can be really beneficial in mono too.

      Take care and thinking of you - and remember you WILL get through this and make a full recovery, without any doubt you will having been through the same myself. Trusting in God for full recovery!

      Craig

       

    • Jdavis
      Jdavis craig07920

      Posted

      Thanks Craig!

      I appreciate your words and advice seriously!..I’ve been in bed since yesterday’s acupuncture appointment. I had serious brain fog at the appointment and he recommended some stress relief and I go back in 4 days for the same stree relief treatment.  What i find frustratig from drs from the beginning on is that they always say are you “stressed”? And my answer stays the same I am stressed from being sick.lol.  I would be a lot less stressed if I wasn’t sick.  I will take you alls advice and slow down on the workout.  What makes me confused is that since September I can go months of feeling 100percent great. An the next day randomly I become sick and knocked out for months. Is this part normal? Or does it slow down over time? When I talk to drs sometimes they make it seem like you only get hit one really hard and then it’s over. But this is not what’s going on with me. I definitely will slow down to not feel like this. Thank you for the suggestions craig and I will look into everything you suggested I am not already doing. Best wishes

    • craig07920
      craig07920 Jdavis

      Posted

      Hey Jdavis,

      Yeah I do think that can be very normal that you go through phases where you feel you're doing well and start to do more thing (naturally) and then all of a sudden it seems to hit you again, come crashing down. Recovery with this virus I found is very zig-zag, it can be up and down and not a smooth curve. The main thing is to remember in the down moments that the graph is still moving overall towards recovery, the lapses won't set you back to the start (although it feels like it at the time) and actually I believe each lapse is your body getting on top of a bit more of the virus, until you get to the stage that your body resilience returns and you don't have any more relapses or horrible symptoms.

      I know what you mean, the virus causes stress and and worry in itself, and then stress and worry make the virus worse - it's a horrible cycle. Removing stress is good but I know it's sooo hard when going through this. But remember there IS hope and truly there IS recovery from this virus - I was the same I thought things would never get better, but given time they did thanks to God, and I believe He will bring healing too - hang in there and just take things slow and one day at a time, it's all your can do right now (all any of us can do anytime!).

      Thinking of you and remember you WILL get there and be 100% better again! I used to think maybe this is as good as it gets when it got only slightly better, but over time your body has great powers of recovery thanks to God and full healing and body resilience comes back.

      Craig

    • Jdavis
      Jdavis craig07920

      Posted

      Thank you again. I definitely needed that todaysmile best wishes
    • craig07920
      craig07920 Jdavis

      Posted

      You're welcome, I know it's not easy at all, the virus plays with not only your body but your mind because of its longevity and frustrating path - but remember that recovery will come, truly I believe that because of Jesus.

      Take care and thinking of you.

      Craig

  • lcarollo
    lcarollo Mono1996

    Posted

    Can you give me any idea on helping the brain fog? I have had mono back and forth for years , and I have read and found that coconut oil has helped a lot but I am struggling so bad with focus, brain fog, energy and not wanting to be social ... i am 47 and was super active and I have my 1st grand baby due in sept so I want so bad to feel better ... 
    • lcarollo
      lcarollo Mono_too

      Posted

      Thank you! I do take a Ton of Vitamins and a lot of supplements, I haven’t tried green tea tho so thank you 
    • craig07920
      craig07920 lcarollo

      Posted

      Hi lcarollo,

      So sorry to hear you've had such a tough time with mono for years back and forth, really hoping and praying things settle and I believe you're going to get better and just trust in God for His help and recovery.

      You may already have tried some of this stuff I know, but a B100 complex vitamin per day is really good for the nervous system and energy levels and mental function. Another one that is good for mental function is gingko biloba, I've tried that before and found it helpful. Co-enzyme Q10 also can be really good, that contains a lot of B vitamins I think. Also a good strong multi-vitamin per day is definitely helpful, as is higher doses of Vitamin C (1000mg-3000mg per day). Sometimes just trial and error to find what works well for you, really hoping you can find something that helps soon and that you feel much better soon - hang in there and thinking of you.

      Craig

       

    • Jdavis
      Jdavis lcarollo

      Posted

      Hi!smile sorry to hear your going through this terrible brain fog that we all can relate too!  What helps me is that I got the Medical Medium Book and started doing what was recommended for anything I was going through, but prior to it I did a liver cleanse which I bought at the vitamin shop. I constantly make sure I do a cleanse every couple of months along with donating blood (my holistic dr said this is good to circulate new blood into your system).  Once I’m cleansed I eat clean food (well I have a couple of cheat days toosmile... I use as many liquid vitamins as possible so it’s absorbed better into my system..and do the “grazing” technique.. which is discussed in the book... I work out a lot but I Just recently changed my gym from a cardio and weights workout to complete Aquatic (water work outs) for some crazy reason I noticed when I feel brain fog the water almost zaps it away for me.. I’m not sure if it’s the cool temperature (but I read it gives you some sort of mental relaxation) which is odd because I do laps, kick board, and weights in the water and crazy enough it works, but I also take EXTRA vitamins because I work out 5 days a week this way. I take a vitamin powder in my water while working out and I take a vegetable based protein powder drink post work out..but remember it doesn’t help to stack all these vitamins if your liver and blood isn’t cleaned out regularlysmile..and of course make sure you rest and have good rest... I have a crazy busy schedule with work life and life in general, but I make sure I get my rest in these dayssmile... I hope this helps.. and also my B complex is also liquid... But seriously there is a list of items to eat and take in the book that I believe has helped me (my mom ordered it for me because she uses it religiouslysmile... good Luck and best wishes 

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.