Mono and persistent fatigue

I'm a 20 year old female who was diagnosed with mono via blood test in December '06. I went through about a month and a half of symptoms ranging from high fever and cold sweats to throbbing headaches, tonsils so swollen I couldn't swallow, and uncontrollable vomiting (which my family doctor attributed to my catching a form of norovirus on top of the mono). After returning to school for my spring '07 semester, I found that I was still too tired to pick up my previous workout routine, so I stayed away from the gym for about six months. When I resumed classes in fall of '07, I started trying to work out again and found that I was still tired, but this fatigue is different than any I've ever experienced and persists to this day. Obviously when you get done jogging, you're going to be out of breath and feeling tired, but after running for maybe seven to ten minutes (including warm-up and cool-down), I feel like my legs are made out of lead, and if I don't lay down voluntarily, I might just go down where I stand. Depending on how long I try to run, it takes me anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours or so to finally get to feeling like I can get out of bed and go about my business. I've tried eating a little something before going to the gym in case I'm experiencing a blood-sugar drop, and I try to stay constantly hydrated because I have a history of orthostatic hypotension. Nothing helps. In addition to this, I'm almost always tired during the day, even on weeks when I get consecutive nights of good, solid sleep. Every site I've seen says mono-related fatigue should be over with after 6 months -- well, it's been almost two years, and I'm still feeling like this. By nature I'm an active person, and before I had mono I was able to go about a mile a minute without getting tired. I've had it about up to here with this always being tired, and I would really like to do something about it, but I don't know what kind of doctor would be best for me to see (my family doctor is to the point of thinking this is psychosomatic -- I strongly disagree), if this could be related to my heavy-duty mono infection, or just what the heck is wrong with me.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[zlobo]

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with mono almost 1 year ago today and although her symptoms have abated, she still has periods when "overdoes" an activity that her symptoms come back full blown.  I do not know what sites you have been to, but I recommend the Mayo Clinic site as it has been helpful to our family in this regard.  Everyone I have talked to about mono who has either experienced it themselves or their family member has reported to me that their symptoms ie extreme fatigue, fever, cold sweats, headaches would persist for over a year or two.  Don't be discouraged.  I don't think your's is psychosomatic.  In fact, I would recommend you switch your doctor because I don't think he or she is very knowledgeable about mono as they should be.  Hang in there.  I believe the Mayo Clinic site says that the virus can be active in the system for two years or more.  Good luck.

[inna26]

I had two relipces of mono in 5 months I'm very tierd some days I feel better,
but I'm not the same as I was, I had all kind of blood work done the doctor tell's me that it is all normal. Does any one try monoclr for the mono symptoms, I just found that product on the web,
thank you!

[FurballsMom]

I haven't had Mono, so I don't know a lot about it.  I knew a girl in high school years ago who had Mono our senior year, so I know it's bad stuff.  Perhaps these questions could be posted on the Epstein Barr Virus forum, since Mono is a form of this virus.  I bet people there would know something more, like PlateletGal.

[riverblue]

reading these blogs had been so depressing. I was diagnosed with mono 2 months ago. I am 36 years old. I shared a fork with someone at work who had mono at the time and didn't know it. I knew she had a sore throat but I just assumed because I was so healthy I wouldn't get anything. Well bummer for me and my stupidity. I never got the sore throat or fever or anything like that, just extreme, never ending fatigue!! I worked full time the first 6 weeks after I was diagnosed with mono, plus I am a single full time mother of 1 and pretty much, did not rest whatsoever. Finally, 3 weeks ago, I was advised to take 2 weeks off work to rest so I did but was still too tired to go back so I am taking this last week off and going back part time next week. I work at a very busy medical office and down time there just does not exist. Anyway, after laying around for the last 3 weeks I do feel bouts of energy coming back, but no where near what I used to be. I was a go, go, go girl, always on the move, super athletic, always on top of my game. But now, even a simple hour long walk has me laid up for days!! From reading these blogs I can see that this is the norm for some but some here say they have never been the same since? and that years have gone by and they are still easily tired out? God that is so disheartening I cannot even express it! Guess I just have to stay positive and get used to the fact that this may be my life for ever now. I know someone who got the EBV virus, chronic fatigue syndrome. She said it lasted 2 years! She started getting B12 shots and said that helped a lot. I am taking supplements up the gazoo and drinking lots of water which seems to help a little but no way could I go back to the gym. Maybe mono, for some of us, maybe it goes into chronic fatigue syndrome? Since it is in that EBV virus family, perhaps it just goes there? Clearly the Dr's don't know much about it.
Well my friend at work, who I got this from, she had it for 5 months and she says that she feels almost normal now so I just have to hope that will be me too. I doubt anyone has any advice for me but a positive story would be so great right about now!