Glandular Fever..

Mojisola

One theory is that the people who go down with ME have a genetic susceptibility and that the illness is then triggered by an acute event - chemical exposure, an infection, major surgery, trauma, bereavement, etc.

A lot of people report never getting well again after having flu/GF/gastroenteritis/etc. It can take a long time for the doctors to look at ME as a diagnosis because of the original problem.

heretolearn_2

Oh you poor thing, I had it as a teenager so I know how awful you feel.

I'm shocked to find some people have had long term effects though. While I'm sorry for those people who have posted here, please don't get too depressed about your prospects OP and think that happens to everyone. I think most people recover ok in time.

It wiped me out for about 4 months followed by a couple of rough months, but then I was back to normal.

belfastgirl23

Sorry but I'm another one who had it as a teenager and I also agree that my energy levels have never entirely recovered, although I think with good food, vit supplements and a decent amount of exercise my immune system is fine. I simply can't do late nights and early mornings, or more than a couple of nights without enough sleep in a row without it really affecting me and leaving me zombie like. I know I wasn't like this before GF. That said it's probably not a bad thing, I know my limits now and work with them - and getting enough sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body.

Good luck to everyone currently suffering and be kind to yourselves, this is something you just have to ride out unfortunately.

joyfull

I'm now in wk 7 and had my worst 10 days yet. Dr has given me cortico steroids - not sure if they are doing anything.

I feel so weak, am barely able to keep just the basics of keeping clean & fed going. Live alone. Getting some help & support though except NO_ONE can do a thing about this virus.

I just dread the next relapse and am praying this starts to ease soon. Cannot believe how awful itis. Struggling with the mental side.

Must go & lie down again. Someone tell me THIS WILL END.

Brighton_belle

heretolearn wrote: »

Oh you poor thing, I had it as a teenager so I know how awful you feel.

I'm shocked to find some people have had long term effects though. While I'm sorry for those people who have posted here, please don't get too depressed about your prospects OP and think that happens to everyone. I think most people recover ok in time.

It wiped me out for about 4 months followed by a couple of rough months, but then I was back to normal.

Yes, it is always a tough call when wanting to support someone with GF and not wanting to frighten them either.
OP and others currently suffering - those of us who have had long terms effects want you to take us seriously enough to realise you have to take it easy and allow yourself decent time to get better, as flogging on the mometnt you have 5 mins energy just isn't worth it.
On the other hand, do believe you will fully recover because many do, including 2 members of my family who were ill this time last year and are now completely ok and very busy.

Brighton_belle

joyfull wrote: »

I'm now in wk 7 and had my worst 10 days yet. Dr has given me cortico steroids - not sure if they are doing anything.

I feel so weak, am barely able to keep just the basics of keeping clean & fed going. Live alone. Getting some help & support though except NO_ONE can do a thing about this virus.

I just dread the next relapse and am praying this starts to ease soon. Cannot believe how awful itis. Struggling with the mental side.

Must go & lie down again. Someone tell me THIS WILL END.

Joyfull, this will end , I promise. I just can't say when and that is what is so hard isn't it. This is a horrible illnes that some get worse than others in the inital stages. So sorry you have no/very little practical support :O(.
Just want you to know that there are others out here who know quite how ill you are feeling, and quite how shocked at how long you have been feeling this bad without any sign of recovery & what little Dr's can do. Never seems right we can get a man on the moon but no treatment for a virus like GF :O(

When I was hit very hard by a differnt full on diabling illness a few yrs ago, I really had to focus on 'not thinking and just being'. Thinking about 'when am I going to get better' and 'am I going to get better' was too overwhelming.
Get through an hr at a time. Doodling became my main activity, and even 5 mins was too much at times.

joyfull

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Joyfull, this will end , I promise. I just can't say when and that is what is so hard isn't it. This is a horrible illnes that some get worse than others in the inital stages. So sorry you have no/very little practical support :O(.
Just want you to know that there are others out here who know quite how ill you are feeling, and quite how shocked at how long you have been feeling this bad without any sign of recovery & what little Dr's can do. Never seems right we can get a man on the moon but no treatment for a virus like GF :O(

When I was hit very hard by a differnt full on diabling illness a few yrs ago, I really had to focus on 'not thinking and just being'. Thinking about 'when am I going to get better' and 'am I going to get better' was too overwhelming.
Get through an hr at a time. Doodling became my main activity, and even 5 mins was too much at times.

SOOO spot on. The anxiety thoughts take me to a very dark place indeed. My practice throughout this has been as much as poss to just lie very still and just 'be' with the sensations as they arise without spinning off into a 'story'. My lovely (non living-in) boyfriend constantly supports me with this. Thank you for a strong & compassionate response. One of the main conserns is my already low body weight and the daily ordeal of eating enough, with feeling ill and no appetite, (including high energy nutritious drinks) to just mainti=ain weight. But... there's another anxiety story.

LadyMorticia

I had glandular fever and it triggered my M.E.

Rest, rest and lots of rest. Do not let people push you into doing things and do not push yourself. Glandular Fever is a very exhausting illness and pushing yourself will just take you longer to recover!

I was hospitalised because I had a Quinsy as a complication of the sore throat and couldn't eat or drink anything. That's when they found out I had Glandular Fever.

Racheldevon

Thanks to everyone who has continued to post. I am feeling a little better, though I think i'm still trying to do too much when I have a slight improvement energy wise. I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow, although my own GP is now on leave for 4 weeks, so I'm seeing someone else. I don't feel ready to go back to work yet, though I am anxious as to what work will say as I think they're expecting me to return tomorrow. I am hopeful that other people have and do recover fully, and that in time I will hopefully feel well again.

jumpingjackd

shop-to-drop wrote: »

Anyone else have it as a child? I was one of the rare ones who had it at 6/7. So long ago that I can't help with advice. It does take a long time to get over though if you ever fully do but give yourself the best chance by resting, sleeping and eating well.

I also had it at 6/7 and remember it took a long time to get over it, was at least 6 weeks off school and even then had to "take it easy", I do recall my mother worrying every time I caught anything and feeling so exhausted all the time.