More than a page of facts, this post is to share my fight with glandular fever in order to encourage and hopefully help other people through it too. You probably already know that glandular fever or infectious mononucleosis (mono) is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus and is often referred to as “the kissing disease”, because the virus can be spread in saliva (though kissing is not the only method of transmission). Most people are exposed to the virus at some stage in their lives without even knowing it. However, the older you are when you contract it, the more severe the symptoms are and the more your body struggles to get over it. I was forced to drop out of university for a year to battle through it. Unfortunately my mother contracted it too and she was admitted to hospital for two weeks – the doctors were even looking for cancer before they finally figured out what was actually wrong with her – Idiots!
No doctor offered me constructive help or treatment – They pretty much said: “There is nothing you can do, just stay at home until you are better. It could take anywhere from two weeks to two years and some people never get better... ”. While this is true, it is probably only true because this is what all the doctors tell everyone who is suffering from glandular fever. A positive mind set is the most important weapon to combat the virus, so don't let doctors rob you of hope. Glandular fever is notorious for “feeding on stress”, “flaring up” or relapsing even years later, during intense periods such as exams, year end, etc. Whatever you do, do not dwell on negative thoughts, even if it’s a medical doctor who is putting them in your head – The doctor can’t/won’t do anything to help you anyway. Your health is in your own hands - The more you can soothe yourself of stress, the sooner you will recover.
Symptoms
As the name is supposed to imply, classic glandular fever presents as fever and swollen glands; lots of illnesses cause this arbitrary disease state, which makes the name pretty silly and the crazy thing is that I didn’t experience fever or especially swollen glands while I was ill. Symptoms include any combination of headaches, sore throat, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, swollen lymph nodes, crippling fatigue and probably more. A blood test confirms the presence of the virus and makes it official...
The disease can linger for as little as two weeks, or remain with you for the rest of your life if it spirals into full blown chronic fatigue syndrome. The fatigue is not mere laziness, but a heavy tiredness that actually results in physical pain.
Glandular fever started off as a throaty cough for me but soon matured into aching muscles, incapacitating fatigue, complete inability to hold down much food, and a horrid tenseness throughout my body and mind as if I was always on the edge, about to jump. Up until the time the doctors figured out what was wrong with me I actually thought I was going crazy, so I was quite relieved that there was something wrong with me, just depressed that there was apparently no treatment or remedy for how ghastly I felt.
Cure
But I did overcome glandular fever and I am so glad that I can now look back on the terrible experience and really appreciate that life is so normal again. Fair enough, there is no magic potion that you can take three times a day for a week that will cure you, but I have identified the behaviors that helped me to get better.
Take it easy, seriously...
As inconvenient and frustrating as I know it is, you need to remove yourself from as much as you can, everything if possible. Don’t try and be a hero and carry on or push through. Stay at home in bed and sleep properly until you feel well rested. Ideally, until you stop worrying about everything – though I know that in this state it is very difficult to stop worrying, but you must believe that you are one of the people that will get better – if you do, then you will recover.
Glandular fever is a tricky disease to understand and there will be people who show you no sympathy. Avoid them, and don’t let anyone abuse your “free time”. Encourage the people around you to learn about glandular fever, to help them understand what you are going through and how they can help you. The idea is that you get some time to rest in a stress free environment.
Vitamin B injections
This is as close as it gets to a “magic potion”. I would recommend you go for a vitamin B injection (the big neurobion one) every two weeks (alternating butt cheeks), from the time you discover you are ill, until you have recovered. Vitamin B injections have a reputation for stinging a bit, but in truth they aren’t that bad and wow they make a difference! Whether it’s a result of the placebo effect or not.
Fight with a positive attitude
Perhaps the most common advice concerning glandular fever is “not to fight it”. While I agree with this on a physical level, you must not give up in your mind. Remain positive about the situation and believe that you will recover. But at the same time remember that rule number 1 is “Take it easy, seriously...” Don’t let the idea of maintaining a positive mindset stress you out if you aren’t getting it right, it will get easier and start to come naturally as you keep at it, get more rest and learn to relax.
General Health
Even if you are not targeting the glandular fever directly, there is a lot you can do to help yourself feel better. Get enough sleep, drink lots of water, and avoid excessive amounts of junk food and alcohol. All the clichéd good health stuff will go a long way to improving your condition. And listen to your body! Sleep when you need to and only eat what you can manage. Red meat was off my menu and I found that not drinking milk made me feel much better too. So try and weed anything out of your diet that may not agree with you. Treating your symptoms will help too; take a pill for your headaches and antacid for heartburn. Ha ha, and try and shower at least every second day.
As you feel stronger you can try to exercise, but don’t overdo it! You are even weaker and less fit than you imagine. You might not be able to get out of bed the next day, you will feel completely worn out and it will take you a good few days to recover. But don't be discouraged. It was more than a year before I began running around, playing soccer with friends again. But I had to ease into it slowly and could initially over exert myself very easily. I am fine now.
Good People
It pains me to admit that most people will not understand and will leave you behind as you place your life on pause while they carry on with theirs. Even your family will not always understand what you are going through, but I hope there will be at least one good person that you can count on to stand by you to help you through the disease. Don’t let relationships stress you out, rather avoid anyone who makes you feel worse – You really need to look after yourself for a while, as selfish as it may sound.
I am very fortunate to have the most amazing girl who could easily have left me for someone else when my life fell apart. But she didn’t and I know it was hard for her, but her companionship and encouragement meant the difference between me staying sick forever and getting going again. I am very grateful to her for helping me through the trials, even when I was completely overcome with irrational paranoia at the mercy of the virus.
Divine intervention
I can only pray that you will become desperate enough to turn to Jesus. You can “cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) . I am not talking about religion. The stress of religion and doing “holy” things because other people think/tell you you should (Isaiah 29:13), will only keep you sick.
The truth is, you don’t have to do anything. God loves you whether you know him or not (Romans 5:8) . No matter what you have done or who you are. God’s love is unconditional, completely independent of your actions. He cares for you and he has a special plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants you to know him so that you can walk with him and he can guide you to realise the purpose that he has chosen you for. It is not His plan for you to be sick.
You will find peace, rest, safety and healing in the arms of Jesus. Accept Him into your heart and He will bring you hope and look after you.
Today, I have finished my studies and am working a demanding job as a manager with high stress and long hours, but I have left glandular fever behind... Praise God!
Glandular fever links:
Wikipedia
iol.co.za
James David Chapman's website.
health24.com
glandular fever , mononucleosis, post viral fatigue
personal and individualised help for sufferers of glandular fever, mononucleosis and post viral fatigue.
38 comments:
Thanks a million. Your post helped alot. My gf is struggling through it and needed to read that.
It's a pleasure dvius, glad to help. I hope she's feeling stronger soon!
Thanks sooo much for this! It is great to find someone that has been through it and doesn't make me feel 'silly' in the times that I'm really not well. I too have been soo lucky to of had a boy friend who looks out for me and often reminds me to 'slow down and take it easy'. I also trust God everyday for my health and I honestly do believe that my Glandular has not been as bad as others I know and I'm very thankful for that...I do though look forward to the day where I am able to go for a run without getting so tired.
That's a pleasure Tey, glad to help as always and I'll be believing for your recovery too! And don't worry, you'll get there :) Take it easy.
Thank you for writing this piece. I currently have been diagnosed with Glandular Fever and hearing a few things from my GP has put me in a bit of a depressed mood.
Looking up help in the internet and asking knowledgeable people hasn't given me much hope for recovery, since most of the BS is "no cure, shut the hell up"
But reading your personal experience and tips has given me some hope.
Unfortunately I have also been diagnosed with a form of Hepatitis because of Glandular, and I'm hoping that I recover faster then 2 years, I have a huge amount to study and no income while I'm bed ridden. Damn, my life sucks hard right now :P
But as I've said, your post has given me some hope. Thank you once again.
Hey Seth, wow that's tough for you. Don't lose hope though. My brother had hepatitis A a few years back but he recovered fully in a few months (I think about 3 months). You can recover from both these diseases - it's just hard that it's a double wammy I'm sure. I can't imagine how you must be feeling, but I think that looking after yourself is even more important for you in your extreme condition. I know that it's hard to get sick in the middle of your studies - that's exactly what happened to me... but don't let it stress you out, there is actually nothing you can do about it except relax and get strong again. I hope your recovery is more speedy than you are expecting. Get strong!
Thank you so much for writing that. I've been recovering from Glandular Fever for 9 months now, and I just feel like I will never recover! I've had to take a break from my studies... I was in my final year. It sucks. My friends seem to be getting on with their lives and have forgotten about me. The only positive thing is my fantastic family and my wonderful boyfriend who cheer me up. But, you need your friends in life and it just makes me upset that they haven't even bothered to visit. But it's true in what you said- get upset/stressed and you will feel worse. I'm trying to just think positive or keep busy reading. Thanks again for an honest post that wasn't over the top, but just frank. I needed that and I've added it to my faves.
Thanks again
Always glad to help Katie :) Don't worry, your life will get back on track again. I hope you get better soon! But just chill for now and take it easy :) All the best!
Thanks a million for your post. I have had GF for 8 weeks now and Just when I think I am over it, it knocks me out again. Before I got GF I was really fit and on the move all the time. I am trying everything to get better. I try to keep positive and on reading your post it made me all the more determined to beat it. Thanks again.
Hey Elaine, I really appreciate the feedback. I think it is almost impossible to not be frustrated by GF - but it is good to be determined to get over it! Just remember not to push yourself too hard. I guess I'm not really saying anything I didn't cover in my post but I hope you get better soon!
Hi There!
I would just like to say a MASSIVE thanks for this post. I have been off sick for 4 weeks with Glandular Fever. I have been so ill its untrue. I have good/bad days, Today is a bad day but it has cheered me up to read this Rich. :)
My boyfriend has been very understanding but I am having trouble with my own family and his family at the minute. They all think I am a dosser, I am back at the docs next friday for another blood test.
Amy xx
Hey Amy, always glad to hear my post is helpful to people :) I know how it can be - people are not very understanding when it comes to matters of Glandular fever. But it is very real and very crap to be suffering from it - particularly if people around you are giving you a hard time. The best is to "educate" everyone (as I mentioned in my post) so that they can get on your side in fighting it instead of stressing you out more. I really hope that you find some more support, but more importantly that you feel strong again soon - whatever happens with everyone else :)
Hi,
Thanks for the post!! It is good to see a happy-ending glandular fever story making it onto the internet. It made me feel less alone when I was very poorly a few weeks ago.
I was diagnosed with glandular fever in early July ad was devastated, given all the 'horror' stories you hear including from the doctor. I had a pretty nasty time, acute tonsilitis, secondary infections, an enlarged spleen, and a fatigue so overwhelming that it HURT even to lie down. There have been times over the past few weeks when I thought I was never going to get better. Luckily, my family and boyfriend have been incredibly supportive and have not allowed me to wallow in the misery of it all.
But...life goes on. Everyday I feel stronger and less fatigued.
To anyone who is going through this too, some advice:
1. Rest when you need to and learn to listen to your body. I know it is a cliche but rest is incredibly important. When you start feeling better, start getting back to normal, but SLOWLY. Aim for half an hour of activity a day at first (walk to the shops and back) and gradually build back up.
2. Don't listen to the horror stories! They are not helpful.
You get to hear so many glandular fever stories....you'd be surprised how many people have had it. I made a list of all the people that had it and got better. Sounds silly, but it helped me believe that I would get better. My list has 30 people on it that I know personally and who've recovered from glandular fever. -There's no-one on my list that hasn't made a full recovery. People do get better!
3. Try to stay cheerful. Paranoia and depression are side-effects of the illness. Remember that being unhappy is just another way the virus is using to get at you.
Thanks for the blog....
I've not got the results back yet, but i believe i MAY be suffering with glandular fever. I had tonsilitous and suspected glamdular fever about a month ago but the test came back negative and i got better after a week or so.
However now i'm ill again and it is a bit worse. The tonsilitous is not as bad, but the glands in my neck are huge and painful, i can hardly eat because i feel nausious (although am not actually being sick thank god), i'm constantly light headed so much so that i have to be careful walking around the house, and my joints ache.
I did seem to start sweating out my fever last night, woke up with a soaking wet bed and the fever seems improved today, which i'm taking as a good sign.
Any help and advise much appreciated, and wish me luck.
Thanks for the post.
Hey Oliver, glandular fever is a strange disease and it's not unusual for it to do different things to different people. I hope that you don't have it but that you get well soon either way. Look after yourself!
Im Currently suffering from glandular fever! i dint actually kno i had it til i had a blood test n it shown i woz positive. it all makes sense now 4 y i felt lyk crap all the tym. I try 2 rest but its not easy as im at college and i work. i dnt feel i hav 2 giv these up yet as it doesn't affect me alot all the tym. i do get really bad pain and tenderness on my left side, i think its my spleen thts causin this pain but i manage to overcum it most of the tym. i jus worry tht my spleen is at danger of rupturin but i reeli hope it doesn't. I do worry alot thou no mata how much i try not 2!!:)
Hey Claire, just hang in there and get as much sleep as you can, even with your studies. If you find you aren't coping, It's not great to have to do it, but you may need to find some sort of compromise that takes the pressure off you a bit - deregister from some courses or don't attend the lectures. I know you might have to catch up later, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get better some times. I remember how uncomfortable my spleen felt at times - I also often worried that it might burst, it didn't but it's probably not a bad idea to get a doctor to check you out if you are worried. But I really don't think you should be out of bed if your spleen is so swollen - it's a sign that you are in no fit state to be up and about. Rather rest and get better!
Thanks for this page. Most helpful I have found.
Pleasure Mike, Glad to help as always
thx for this. i will noot be going to the doctor and hearing his shit, because my ssymptoms and timescale match closely F.
fortunately, i had already restructured my life to makke it as relaxed,, stress--free and organic ass posssiblle whhich fillls me wwith confidence that my body can absorb and assimilate our friiend Epsteinn-BBarr.
and yes, i have a dodgy keyboard, not an inability to type properly :)
thanks for the feedback benmax :) a sense of humour will certainly get you far :) Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Hi Rich Hope you don't mind me leaving a message. You have a link to my web page on your post:
Glandular Fever Help Services: personal and individualised help for sufferers of glandular fever, mononucleosis and post viral fatigue.
Orange have suddenly deleted my account which is not good for those trying to find me: It is now found on:
http://www.glandularfever.me.uk/glandular_fever
I thought your blog was good. Stress, taking it easy, ignoring people who don't understand - this is all very important. Negative emotions do have a negative effect on the adrenal system.
Your blog readers may be intersted in my theory:
I always think that after a bad case of Glandular Fever, you are left with a chronic lowering of your threshold for overdoing it. If you continue to go over this threshold, either physically (with too much exercise, socialising, lots of long distance driving, moving house etc) mentally (with too much stress with work etc) or emotionally (with relationship problems, family changes etc) then the old tiredness symptoms and signs of the old Glandular fever come back. Normally it is a combination of the above and gradually you run yourself over your threshold. These stresses can be positive or negative . . . both would have a influence on your body’s coping capacity. In some cases I feel that this threshold is left very low so it would not take much for the old symptoms and tiredness to flare up again.
Looking after yourself and doing as much as you can to help yourself and encourage your body back on track is so important. Managing your health and energy levels is so very important.
Anyway if anyone was trying to find my site for help, then just to say I am still here but moved sites.I am still working on cases full time and try to give everyone as much help and support as I can.
Thanks so much. I'm waiting on blood test results, but have all the classic symptoms. I'm a mom of 2 little boys and had started to panick that I will never be able to keep up. Reading such a calm and realistic look at the disease, along w/ the reminder of faith and positive thought calmed me so much. Still hoping the tests are negative, but believing that if they are not, I will get thru this and still be a good mom to my boys.
Hey Gina, thanks for letting me know about your new link - I've updated it in the article. I also like your altered threshold theory, it's a helpful way to remember not to overdo it. And anonymous, I'm sure you will still be a good mom to your boys - I hope that you recover soon.
Hey Rich
Was nodding my head to everything you said on this post!
Been 9 months now & had flu in the middle. When I first knew I had got it the doctor as you said was very unhelpful & only offered a blood test as I pushed for one, and no advice after so went straight back into my hectic schedule- really regretting it now lol. As its been so long was wondering whether to go see them again, but your advice (minus the vit B stuff- injections arnt my forte) sounds logical, painless, means I don't have to go back to those idiots, and actually give me hope.
Thank you so much.
Hang in there Ruth!!! :) And I'm sure that if you reckon you don't need the vitamin B injections to get better that you probably don't need them anyway :) By the way everyone, Today I just suddenly remembered - I have been better for like 2 years now :) almost forgotten I was ever so sick even :)So hopefully there is some more hope in that statement for everyone!
Thanks Rich, I'm feeling 10x's better & thats just with a positive mind, regular vit intakes, & uber early nights.
Thanks again!
Thankyou this has been really helpfull and i am determined to get over GF but i have to say and this is nothing against rich but ive been told from 3 doctors i have seen that the actual disease lasts between 2 weeks to 2 MONTHS not years and as much as i know doctors arent alwasy right 3 highly trained medical proffesionals are hardly going to be wrong and hey even if they are or if there just saying it :P the mental effect it has is great because i honestly believe i will be better soon :) and rich you must have had it bad no soccer for a year :( i couldnt do it. Anyway thanks and for everyone out there keep faith its only a crappy virus its nothing on the grand scale of things :)
Hi Anonymous, thanks for the feedback. There are several opinions out there regarding glandular fever and how long it is supposed to/can last. I know that it is often classed in acute phase and post viral phases and there is certainly no denying that it can linger for very unfortunate periods of time. If it lingers for an infinite period of time it is more often redefined as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME (so I guess technically it's not 'glandular fever' anymore). Studies have also shown that glandular fever can affect the brain directly (see the iol article in my links) causing mild brain damage which would also cause long term problems. I swear my eyes (which can be classed as a type of cerebral tissue) have not been the same since I was sick - I wear glasses now.
I know doctors mean well and they are always trying their best but they will never really know everything and the theme of glandular fever is heavily clouded by opinion to the point that some 'professionals' even deny that it exists. You have it though.. you know it's real, whatever they want to call it, it sucks!
But there is no reason you can't just get over it :) and I hope you recover soon! all the best - hope you are playing soccer again soon!
The doctors at the hospital say my son who is 6 has glandular fever, no blood tests were done, he gave him antibiotics which i think is for the inflamed tonsils. I am so worried about him
I am sorry to hear your son is so sick, I know that glandular fever can be unnerving in that it seems like so little can be done to help (even antibiotics won't help with the viral root of the problem). But general good health practices will go a long way to helping, as I have outlined in my post above. I'm sure it must be particularly worrying as a mum but glandular fever just needs some time to clear up :) THe most concerning glandular fever cases I have heard of are to do with especially swollen spleens - other than that the other symptoms don't pose anything life threatening and your son is young. The theory is that the younger you are, the faster you recover. I hope you son gets well again soon!
Praise Jesus. My partner has got it and he got it so bad that he can't even get proper rest cos of the haunting rashes which the anti-biotic left him (before the diagnosis). i am really comforted with your post especially with God's word. I really needed that. Still, thank you, happy to know you have recovered fully and stay bless. God bless you always. Cheers
Hi, thanks for your article.
my daughter was diagnosed one week ago, she also had a terribe rash from head to toe due to penicillan (because we thought initially it was an ear infection)
She has got a lot better 6 days on and feels she is over it,
every other article and comment say it takes a long time to get over glandular fever, does this make sense that she is already over it. she proabably had the symptons for 3 weeks prior to diagnoses. she was due to go on a 4 day bush trek a week after diagnoses, she cant understand why she cant go, she is 16
what do you think?
regards Julie Z
@Julie Z - It's great that your daughter is so much better that she feels she could go on her camp already. Glandular fever never ceases to amaze me in the individual way it seems to manifest in different people. I would say that if your daughter is 100% certain she is up for the camp then I can't see why she shouldn't go. The important thing for her to remember though is that if she feels over exerted she needs to take a time out. So the camp people need to understand that she may not be able to participate in all the activities and may need to lie in or have afternoon naps on a few days - The camp and the conditions surrounding it need to accommodate her if she suddenly feels that she can't keep up - Because the key to recovery is to listen to your body and slow down when your body can't keep up.
Hi Rich, thanks for your reply.
My daughter didnt go on the camp as she was diagnosed on 5th May and due to go on the 11th May, Her teachers said they wouldnt want to chance it,
My daughter believes she was well enough to go but is only this week returning to school after a week off and will be returning to her 8 hours of dancing this week,
I suppose it will be a wait and see if she starts to feel unwell or tired. I will let you know, my query was that so many people say it most often takes weeks to months to recover fully
regards Julie Z
Pleasure JulieZ, glandular fever seems to affect different people in very different ways - There seems to be no set formula for what soothes it or makes it go away or how long it lasts. I would say it's not impossible that your daughter has recovered so quickly - she is very fortunate. But at the same time she must go easy on herself in getting back into her old routine - She must take a break if she can't manage everything she is doing, especially with all that dancing, because glandular fever has a notorious tendency to relapse and that's the last thing either of you want. So it's important that she looks after herself - she mustn't jump back into everything too fast and she must make sure that she is getting a good amount of good quality, solid sleep :) But I hope she stays well from this point on!
Hi there I have been suffering from GF for over a year now, got it in my first year of uni, was horrible and worst of all it affected my liver (hepatitis) i was horrified GF could have this affect on my body.
Basically i have been suffering with a low immunity ( i seem to easily pick up colds, flu, tonsilitis) fatigue has also been a major problem
Along with that i have also been suffering with anxiety and have felt very down since having it, just dont feel myself and it is really troubling me!
it is reassuring to hear i am not the only one suffering like this though!!
would love to hear from you!
Hi puffy eyes, I can only sympathize with you looking back and remembering how rubbish it was to be so sick. I will re-emphasize the absolute importance of good quality rest and positive thinking - I know it's difficult when you feel so bad, but there is always hope (ref: last point). Medicate your symptoms to help yourself feel better, stop doing things/eating things that make you feel worse and generally try to live as healthy as you can. Focus on good rest and positive thinking :) Hope you leave it behind soon!
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