Should I be tested for mono? Ebv?

[Amanda0922]

I am a 24 year old female. I became sick about Aug 3rd of 2008. My sickness began as extreme fatigue, and a sore throat with white patches on tonsils. It looked just like strep throat or tonsillitis. I had body aches, chills, and a fever never exceeding 100. The white patches were gone in 1-2 weeks, and the sore throat remained for 1.5-2  months. I lost 10 lbs due to very small appetite. The fatigue remains to this day, but I feel a little better every day. For the first few weeks, I didn't want to do anything but sleep or just lay in bed. It was really difficult to get anything done.
I have seen 2 doctors, both of which told me it is "just a virus." I had a strep test done which was negative and bloodwork done which I was told was normal. I mentioned having a monospot test to my doctor, but he brushed it off, as he seems to do with everything I ask him for (no cost insurance).
Like I said, I am feeling much better. I still have fatigue, but it's not so bad anymore. I am eating A LOT more than I was and have gained 4 lbs in the past couple of weeks. However, when I look at my throat, it still doesn't look right. I still have redness and I don't understand how I can have "just a virus" for 2.5 months now. I get really depressed some days wondering if I will feel like myself again.
I am going to a new doctor and no longer have insurance. I am going to the doctor for a white tongue (oral thrush?) which I believe was caused by antibiotics I was given for my chronic sinusitis. I was also diagnosed with Bacterial Vaginosis in Sept which I believe was also caused by the antibiotics.
My questions:
1. Does this sound like it could be mono or ebv?
2. If it was/is mono, would it even show up positive since my symptoms are so much better now?
3. About how much does a monospot test cost?
4. About how much does the ebv test cost?
Thank you very much in advance for answering my questions. I am very frustrated with all of this. I am usually able to get over a sickness really quickly and it's hard for me to understand how I can be sick for such a prolonged amount of time.

[jimmmy228]

you have ebv dont bother to do the mono test. if you can do ebv igm and igg most of the time monotest comes negative. i had ebv 10 year ago and this year i had a bad relapse. take vitamins like lysin and probiotic dont eat refined sugar, pork and diary. i hope you will feel better.

[kath226]

Amanda:
Call the doctor and directly ask if he can write a prescription order for mono. Ask the lab how much if costs. (I read about $20. With all due respect, stand up for yourself and communicate. Tell the doctor that you feel powerless when he brushes you off and you feel something is being overlooked. Just ask. Be assertive and get what you want. Call the doctor who has already seen you and save some money. Go to the other doctor if you are wrong or just go ion sequence.

[Amanda0922]

Thank you so much for your reply :)
Actually if I tested positive for mono, I'd be relieved just to finally know what all of this has been about. And relieved just to know that I will feel better eventually. I know they can't treat it and it has to resolve on its own, but I would just be relieved to know. And if it was negative, it'd be back to the drawing board, so to speak.
The thing is, this whole ordeal has been very frustrating and I have been depressed as a result. I'm not usually so emotionally expressive but I've found I have cried more in the past 2 and a half months than in my entire life. I just hope the new doctor I will be seeing will actually give me the test for it, instead of brushing it off.
Apple Cider Vinegar is awesome stuff! :) I have been using it for a few years for a variety of things. It works as a fly spray for horses, helps with sinus problems, and even removes warts from the skin! When I first tried it, I wanted to gag! But over time, I found I had actually developed a taste for it haha :) I like to put it in hot tea in the winter and gingerale in the summer.
I had been using Apple Cider Vinegar for my sinuses, but I had to stop as it is not good to consume when you have bacterial vaginosis, and it was making my oral thrush so much worse.

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! Yes your symptoms you described could certainly be due to EBV. I'm now sure how much a blood test costs... perhaps you could call your physician's office and ask them ? One thing you may want to ask yourself is if you did decide to get tested, what would you do if your test result was positive (or negative for that matter) ?

My only suggestion... if you see a physician, I would recommend seeing a physician who knows about EBV and can treat your symptoms. Co-Cure has a "Good Doctor's List" of physicians online who routinely treat CFS patients. In my opinion...you want a physician who can recommend supplements and/or other things that can help boost your immune system.

I hope you can get health insurance soon. Remember if you get a diagnosis... that could cause problems with getting insurance down the road. From what you are saying... it does sound though that you are recovering from a viral infection and it is good that you aren't having additional symptoms.

One thing that you may want to try is adding Bragg's raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to your water. Apple Cider Vinegar has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, primarily coming from the malic acid and acetic acid portion of the vinegar. I know I use it daily and it actually gives me a burst of energy.