Returning to work and still having symptoms of Mono

Ears, nose and throat
1

Hi Everyone,

I was diagnosed August 6th with Mono and I'm still not feeling well enough to go back to work. I'm wondering at what point most of you here were able to go back to work???

I do very little activity and I have to lay down.  I sweat with minimal activity.  Still have night sweats and tingling in my hands and feet.  Also, exhaustion.

I'm supposed to return to work this week, but I'm not sure if I am physically ready.  My job is not strenuous, but does require a lot of focus and concentration and with my brain being still foggy I don't know if I should go back yet.

Thank You,

Leslie

 

2

Hi Leslie 

I was also diagnosed the same time as you and went to work during the first couple of weeks but had to leave due to being so poorly. I ended up with about 2 weeks off in total before I had to come back to work. It’s been really really hard. I go home and collapse in bed every night. And the weekends I manage just about to go out for an hour or so. It’s hard but lucky for you you managed to get so much time off. Maybe getting back into routine will help speed recovery up...

3

Hi Les. 

When I fell ill about this time last year, think work gave me a week off. Then I had to return to work as normal. It was so very hard and I cried alot. In the end I got demoted to lower my duties but still had to push and work through. If you can get the time off it would be best, but if not make sure you look after yourself at work. Dont push too hard and make sure that everyone knows you are still not feeling well. Keep in mind that you might also still be contagious, so dont share cups and stuff smile   Wishing you a speedy recovery, and don’t forget to look after yourself as you are in a fragile state. 

4

Sorry you're going through this. Don't worry it will get better. 

Maybe you need another few weeks off? What does your dr say and if you havent done any recent blood tests can you request them to see how your liver is doing? When i had it my liver was badly affected for about 2 months, but it totally went back to normal. the dr insisted that i have total rest for probably about a month and a bit. I think he only said i was fit to work after he saw my liver blood tests looked ok.

I felt generally ok when i went back to work, other than still having night sweats at night, and in the day i had periods of extreme exhaustion. that last about 2 weeks into me going back to work but it was ok. if you're really not feeling good though then dont go back now. def see what your dr says too. 

continue getting as much rest as physically possible. i cant stress that enough. i stayed in bed for a month straight. i elt totally able to get around and do stuff but i just stayed in bed and watched netflix because i didnt want to expell any energy so my body could fight it.

try to relax as much as possible, do meditation youtube videos, for example look up this guy called michael sealey. 

this was all years ago and im fine now, but on a side note, at the moment i stopped eating wheat for a few weeks (to see if it would cure a skin problem i was having - and it did) and i feel like it's given me soooooo much energy. so if you can, then maybe try that. but make sure you eat well in general, lots of protein, and fruits vegetables, etc.

i wouldn't recommend any vitamins for now other than a high vitamin b vitmain - which is what my dr prescribed to me at that time. and when i started to feel better i also started taking milk thistle for the liver

xxx

 

5

Hey Leslie,

It did take me some time to get back to work after mono, I was off completely for 5 months and took me a while after that with part-time hours and some setbacks too. Of course everyone is different and some are better suited at working through than others, I was never any good at that just find it so hard. 

Definitely take all the time you need Leslie, don't put pressure on yourself to return too soon or let work put pressure on - please put your health first Leslie, I know it's easier said than done, this coming from me who has been off work for over a year now and in process of losing job, I know it's so hard. 

Hang in there and remember build things up gradually when the time comes to go back, for sure give yourself more time and all the time you need and don't feel bad in any way about it - you need it right now.

Craig

6

Thank You, Craig!  I'll be talking to my doc this afternoon.  I'm at such a crossroads as to what to do.   This might be my bodies way of saying I'm not ready.  I might take a couple of weeks then return.

Leslie

7

Hi Sweebee,  

Good for you for powering through this horrible virus.  I'm so sorry for what you went through!

I'll see what my doc says this afternoon and take it from there.  I just feel so weak after doing most anything.

Thank You,

​Les

8

Hi Kirsty,

I can't imaging working like you did.  Good for you for taking some time off.  

I hope that we all continue to get stronger.

I'm so curious, is everyone from the UK?  I'm in California.

Thank You,

Leslie

9

Hope you get / got on okay at the docs Leslie, it's not easy to know what to do in these circumstances I know. Listen to your body absolutely and don't be unduly pressured by anyone to do anything you're not ready for yet - I know it's easier said than done mind, but absolutely it's okay and right to put your health and your recovery first always!

Craig

10

Thank You Craig!  My doctor is keeping me out of work for 2 more weeks and I'm hoping to be back to work sooner.  I literally have been in bed all day today with the exception of going to the kitchen and restroom.

Thank You,

Leslie

11

Hi Tina,

My doctor is keeping me out for another 2 weeks or less if I am up to it.  I'm really hoping to return next week.  I'm just really going to take it easy.  I've been in bed all day today with the exception of going to the kitchen and restroom.

I will definitely check our Michael Sealey!  How interesting that stopping wheat cleared up your skin and made you feel better!  That's fantastic!!!

Thank You,

Leslie

12

Hi Leslie

Sorry to hear that you have this awful virus, it's such a horrible illness that just floors you in every way.

I was hit pretty hard with it late last year and as a result I took a full ten months off work. I have been back for three months now working three half days a week and seem to be managing it well.

I think this virus is not to be underestimated and if you can, take as much time off to recover. Everyone is different of course but I am really thankful that I listened to my body when it needed rest.

Wishing you a speedy recovery 

13

Well just take one day at a time Leslie at the moment is all you can do and rest in those 2 weeks. It's horrible to be in bed all day I know the feeling, but you will get stronger again and I believe you're going to get there - and if it takes longer than the 2 weeks off work so be it, take as long as you need Leslie that's really important.

Craig

14

If you can take the time off, take it! I only took a few weeks off here and there, and it prolonged the illness. I have been dealing with this for a long time. If you can afford to rest and not work, do it.

15

Thank You for your kind words, Craig!

16

This really is an awful virus.  I hope you are feeling stronger!  Thank You!

17

Yes, it is absolutely awful!  Glad to hear that you are strong enough to get back to work!

 

18

I would say give yourself a FULL month of feeling well before doing anything . From my last 6 months journey I’ve had a few good days and an ok week but then I crashed again so you really need to heal properly . You don’t want to go back have to go on leave again . 

I know personally just doing a few errands is taxing .

19

Thanks for yours too Leslie, really means a lot!

Craig