Oh what could it be!?

[AnonymousAnon]

So I have generally been concerned about my health for the past few years. And yes, I know, "just get to the doctor". Well, I am going this week but wanted to seek out some advice before going.

When I was 16 years old, I got Mono/EBV and was nearly bedridden for 6 months. It was so severe that I had an MRI done on my airways to make sure their was enough room for me to breath normally. I feel as though I have never really recovered from it and have felt fatigue ever since. At the time I was an Honor student. I received a full ride scholarship to attend college but dropped out because I just couldn't get to class due to how tired I was all the time. This was a problem for me in Highschool too after getting Mono but did not have much of an effect because the classes were easy and attendance was mandatory (I was also under my parents roof so also under their rules at the time).

I know EBV can be an environmental trigger for other illnesses like SLE so I am in part wondering if any of my symptoms which I will get more into below correlate with anything triggered by EBV, or something else entirely.

Here's where it gets more confusing, about two years ago I had unprotected vaginal sex with a heterosexual women of unknown status. She's a caucasian female, 19 years old, non-drug user, from a decent upbringing so I can't imagine the risk is existent besides in my head. I have always been a worrier (and google doesn't help) so now my thoughts have changed from a condition triggered by my stent with EBV to things like HIV or Syphilis that passed under my doctors nose. I have been tested for STD's and was clear since the encounter but the test was absent of a check for HIV.

Because of these anxious thoughts, I have probably taken too much notice to "symptoms" I'm displaying now that I am concerned about my well-being. But anyways, the most concerning symptoms have occurred in the appearance of my nails. Initially, I noticed an indentation, or concave depression just above the nail matrix in both thumbs. This "dent" eventually grew out with the nail. However, this brought my attention to some other nail appearance changes I probably would have overlooked otherwise. I have vertical ridges extending the entire length of my nails as well as pin like depressions (pitting) on all my nails. I also have horizontal lines extending across my nails making it look like a checkerboard pattern almost! All of these symptoms are not easily visible from distance but are definitely there when you look closely.

Some general symptoms I have that I don't necessarily think are related are a reoccurring headache that feels as if it's coming from behind my right eye and occurs in the same spot regularly (which my eye doctor attributes to strain put on my eyes from my phone or computer). Also, recently I have been suffering from an extremely dry scalp that regresses as soon as I stop using a dry scalp formula of shampoo and conditioner.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and hope to get some responses. I will also keep you guys updated with what goes on after my doctors appointment and any tests that may be ordered.

[ArjayEss]

Mono like you had can result in fatigue for well over a year or two in a few people(you don't say how old you are now).  There is (mostly anecdotal and 30 years ago) evidence that people who get full blown mono like you describe are for some reason especially sensitive to HIV infection.  Go get looked at, tell your entire history, and make sure to get an HIV test.