I'm a twenty three year old woman. I have been sick with Glandular Fever for almost four months. All symptoms still present with no improvement, sore throat, swollen glands, fatigue and muscle pain. I got a diagnosis quickly as my best friend had Glandular Fever so I knew to ask for the blood test. While she has returned to full health (guess who infected me and made me sick due to her carelessness) I am not getting better. Unlike some people whose stories I've read, I have not been bed bound and have continued working without informing my employers of my illness. However, living with this disease has made my life a daily struggle. Anytime I'm not working I am resting in bed. I hardly ever socialize anymore and spend most my time alone. Even before I became ill, I never drank or smoked, and I ear healthy. However, I am worried about developing Chronic Fatigue or MS as I am not recovering. I am afraid in the long term I will lose my job to this disease if it becomes a chronic illness. I have been to GPs and they can't tell me how long more I'll be sick or if I'll get better. I fear that I missed my only window of recovery because I continued to work and didn't quit my job when I was originally diagnosed. I'm now facing the prospect of being sick for the rest of my life. And the thought of that makes me wish I was dead.
Hi there sickanon,
I want to write to offer a bit of reassurance, as someone who went through glandular fever at a similar age to you and who found it difficult to get over but did get there eventually. The same will be true for you too I really do believe.
After around 4 months I was the same as you, seeing little to no progress and worried that I was going to be left with Chronic Fatigue as the length of time it was going on didn't seem to fit with the conventional wisdom of what I was reading everywhere else. Please be assured that it is normal to still not be feeling great after this length of time unfortunately but IN NO WAY does it mean you are developing Chronic Fatigue, recovery time is different for everyone but it can take several months without doubt. For me it certainly took that length of time and a bit longer, so don't panic if you don't feel better right away but you will definitely feel better - and you won't have to go through anything again like the first 4 or 5 months which are by far the worst.
You haven't missed a window of recovery, and the fact you don't drink or smoke and eat healthy is all excellent and helps recovery. I wasn't bed ridden or anything when I had the virus either, I was still able to do some things but feeling wiped out. It is so important to get plenty of rest though, I would certainly consider telling your employer and taking some time off if you need to, it will help your recovery but don't worry or think that you have done the wrong thing up until now, it's not the case and what's important is what you do from here!
Taking some good vitamins and herbs can also really help too if you are not already. If you want any advice on the stuff that helped me just let me know. AND most importantly remember YOU WILL get better from this, even if you don't see or feel it now, take it from me who went through all the same worries and stress and terrible symptoms - that was 10 years ago and the last 9 have been in good health thanks to God.
Thinking about you and remember there is hope today, and don't worry if you don't feel better right away because your body eventually does get to grips with it!
Take care and message any time
Craig
Hi Sickanon,
I have had it for six months now and only noticed a little improvement the last two weeks, still having down days. I know everything you read say 6-8 week recovery(not so)
I have never felt so sick in my life, I am hoping for a full recovery soon, just rest as much as possible, I also had fears of chronic fatigue and MS and month five was my hardest and then symptoms started lightening up.
Message anytime, we all know how depressing this illness is and know you are not alone.
Hey Mono,
Just wanted to say that your encouraging words to others are a great blessing to this site, I have noticed how much time you have taken to help others even though I know you're not feeling well yourself and still have fears and worries like anyone going through it.
I feel confident that you are through the worst, that you won't have to go through another six months like this one. I was at a similar stage to you after six months, and made some gradual but by no means startling improvements between months 6 and 9, then had quite a set-back at nine months for a few weeks where I had lots of joint pain and felt back to the start, but an amazing thing happened after that in the 10th month, almost overnight I felt different and my body had more resilience and power and health about it again.
That's just my story though, everyone's different and I for sure hope that it's much quicker for you, but the message is don't panic if it still takes a couple of months or so because it will come, frustrating as that is just now!!
Craig
Dear Craig,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm impressed that even though you have long since fully recovered, that you remain her to comfort those of us who are still sick. Regardless of what happens to me, I want to express my application.
It does give me some comfort to hear of someone who's experience so far seems similar to mine. However, a new complication has arisen in my illness. I got blood tests done thr other day as part of monitor my condition. While my liver function etc as back to normal, they couldn't do a blood count because my plalets were clumping. I have had to do a second blood test and am now anxiously awaiting the results. I am worried that my illness has gotten worse, or that I have now developed some other horrible disease on top of the Glandular Fever. On the doctor's recommendation, I have taken a weeks holidays to rest at home. I guess it's inevitable that I would be forced to take time off. Unfortunately, I don't get any paid sick leave, so this isn't something I can do again in a hurry. If the blood test reveals that there's something seriously wrong, I'm facing the prospect of losing my job. And as that's all I have left now, that's a terrifying prospect.
*express my appreciation
Sorry I'm typing on mobile so there's probably a lot of typos!
Dear Mono,
I have had a similar experience when trying to learn more about my illness online. Like you, my symptoms have long persisted after the laughably short recovery periods qouted online. And yet I don't fall into the same category as people who have been left bedridden either. (Even though it has greatly limited my ability to live normally, I have still managed to hanf onto my job so far). I hope I see an improvement soon. Although there are many debilitating aspects to Glandular Fever, losing my ability to talk comfortably is what I find the hardest to deal with. I used to be a very outgoing and sociable person before my illness. I live far from my family and friends (I moved for work) and my sore throat prevents me from speaking on the phone so I get very lonely. I might post from time to time for the company. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.
Hi Sick Anon,
Thanks for your kind message back, and taking the time to say nice words even though you've been going through such a hard time yourself - shows me what a good person you are.
Oh sorry to hear about the issues with your blood test, I don't really know much about the medical side of things in that respect but just want you to know and hold onto that hope and belief that you will get better - I believe this will only be a minor setback and just hoping that you can get the results soon and that they can give you a sense of relief that it is nothing as bad as you are fearing. But I know that feeling of fear and worry and anxiety and waiting, it is the most awful thing in the world and want you to know I'm thinking about you and just to remind you that you will get better.
Just so frustrating it takes time sometimes but without any doubt whatsoever I believe that you will make a full and complete recovery!!
Thinking of you and take care - just take things slowly and don't look too far ahead.
Craig
How are you doing. Any improvement?
Also wondering how you are doing sickanon, hoping that things are a bit more settled but remember you will get there and I truly believe in your recovery still without any doubt - same goes for you Brent, it's a horrible horrible virus and life changing experience to go through for many but there IS plenty of hope and there IS fully recovery ahead for you and everyone on the forum, I genuinely believe that God will heal all.
Craig
Thank you for your support. I have been going through insomnia real bad. Body aches are not as bad, but still have joint pain sometimes. Blurry vision has also become a problem. I wish I would have taken more time off, but hindsight is 20/20. I must deal with what I have. Hoping for a full recovery.
Hey Brent,
So sorry that you're having insomia, it's so weird because even when your body is wiped out it can't seem to find a correct sleeping pattern - I still believe everything will settle down and don't go with the theory that because you didn't take more time off before that you won't recovery - you WILL still recovery fully and it's maybe just taking a bit longer unfortunately, but things will come back again I truly honest truly genuinely believe that for you Brent - so hang onto that hope and belief today.
Hoping for a good day and that everything can settle down - and remember discard those thoughts that you should have done things differently - very few people get it right in the early stages of dealing with this virus, I know I didn't and if we all had the hindsight that we learn later about the virus we'd probably all do it differently - it doesn't mean recovery won't happen, and I do believe in your recovery without ANY doubt whatsoever Brent.
Take care
Craig
Hello everyone, thanks for asking after me. Still sick and miserable. Blood tests revealed nothing new, low platelet count is a feature of GF, apparently. Doctor tried to fob me off with anti-depressants. I refused them, I have a physical not a mental illness. If I wasn't so sick, I wouldn't feel so lonely and miserable. Even though I was originally told I'd recover within three to six months, now I'm being told it could be over a year. I don't know how I'll endure another six months of this hell.
Laughably, according to my doctor, because my spleen and liver function are back to normal, I'm out of the "acute" stage of GF. Which is utter nonsense, because I'm still so ill. He also claimed thst Chronic Fatigue isn't real, when I voiced my concern that I now would be in the Chronic Fatigue danger zone, having failed to recover within six months. He asked me to return in July , but I feel like it's pointless. There's nothing anyone can do for my illness. With the recovery goalposts constantly changing, I find it difficult to believe that I will ever recover. As my contract ends in September, I have decided not to tell my employer. If my contract isn't renewed and I lose my job, then I'll be forced to move back with my parents and accept my fate. But I will continue until I'm forced to stop. If I'm going to be sick and miserable, might as well be supporting myself instead of being a burden on my family.
Hi Sickanon,
That is exactly how I felt, I was sure I would never feel better and then one day I had a good few hours and then it turned into days. I can hardly believe I feel better. This will happen for you too as hard as it is to believe right now.
Hi Sickanon,
What an awful time you've been through, I really do understand those feelings because as Mono said we have been through them too and there is nothing worse than feeling so hopeless and out of control - but just want to reassure there is hope.
The first six months is BY FAR the worst thing you will go through with this, there DEFINITELY is recovery after that, I felt exaclty the same at the six month mark too really started to doubt if ever I would see improvement - it still took a bit of time but there was a real turning point after that at around 9 months for me - it's different for everyone it may be quicker for you. Please don't worry about Chronic Fatigue because it is normal for things to go on this long (despite the fact it seems not according to some), and it is normal that you will make a full recovery after that too (often when you least expect it as Mono says).
Just so sorry you've having a difficult time with your job and everything, maybe if you told them they might be more understanding, but I know you will know that situation better than anyone - just hoping your family is supportive at this time, I'm really hoping there is someone there you can talk to - please do talk to someone you trust about how you're feeling because if they are close to you and care for you they will understand - you're not a burden to anyone and it's just a tough time at the moment, but you will emerge the other side of this stronger and healthier - you're young and still have lots and lots of good times to look forward to. I know that's hard to see at the moment but I truly believe you will get better, hang in there and ask God to help and heal, He won't let you down.
Craig
Thank you for your kind words. My mom and I are close, but she doesn't really understand what I'm going through. Plus, most of her time is occupied with taking care of my older brother, who is on the autistic spectrum. My dad works all the time, so I've never had much contact with him, even when I lived at home. Because my best friend was the person who infected me with GF (she visited me when she was ill) our relationship has become very strained. She recovered in under three months, so she also doesn't really understand. My boyfriend has been amazing and supporting (and already immune to GF, thank God) but I know that my illness has placed a massive burden on him. I fell ill shortly after I moved for work, so he is my only real support. I don't share my feelings of despair with him though, he is optimistic that I'll make a full recovery, and I haven't the heart to tell him that I've lost hope. However, I fear its only a matter of time before he questions why I'm still not better.....To be honest, I feel the only ones who really know what it's like are people who have suffered with this disease themselves. Hence, I appreciate the kind words of everyone on this forum, but I don't feel like I can really discuss my illness with anyone. I think one of the toughest things about losing my health is that for the first time in my life, I feel utterly alone. Nobody I know in real life can relate to suddenly (and possibly permanently) being robbed of your health and happiness overnight.
Thank for taking the time to reply. I find it impossible to believe I will recover to be honest, I can only hope that you're right and I'm wrong...
More than anything, I'm absolutely terrified that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to be honest.
Hi Sick Anon,
I really do understand how you are feeling, it's awful to feel like you've been unwell for so long and still struggling to see progress - has it been about 6 months?
I just want to offer some hope and reassurance - there DEFINITELY IS hope still. After 6 months, I felt the same as you, like I was always going to feel that way and was stuck and had to adapt to a new way of life and there was not going to be a full recovery. However, it DOES still come - the time scale is different for everyone, for me it took 9-10 months to see a big turning point, but by far the period that you have been through - these first 6 months - is the worst and recovery lies ahead after that period.
Please try not to worry about Chronic Fatigue syndrome, often the doctors scare monger and write people off as having that if they've not recovered inside 6 months. I totally believe this is wrong, your body is still recovering and for the vast majority of people this is not the case - you are young and your body will recover most definitely, but remember it's been through a real battering with this virus so it takes time to recover, and let me tell you that I FULLY BELIEVE that you will make a TOTAL recovery Sick Anon, so please hang onto hope and ask God to help because He brings healing.
Thinking of you and I know it must be doubly hard if you feel those around you don't understand or are unable to talk to them - if there is anyone though you really trust please do try to talk to them, because if they truly care about you then they will understand and support you. You don't have to carry this burden all by yourself, and at the very least there is people on the site here you can message with.
Craig