Diagnosing Mono Relapse

[tomkw51]

At 15 yrs/old I was diagnosed with mononucleosis and treated, However, I remained fatigued for over a year and was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroidism.   Finally there were answers to my physical and mental exhaustion.   Over the next 21 years I continued to take thyroid medication and every time I failed to take it over those many years I could always tell because I would begin sleeping 12 hours every day that I got the chance.  

When I turned 37 it was discovered that I no longer need thyroid medication and had actually been overdosing for nearly a year.  I was seeing an endocrinologist and he had me discontinued it, which I did without any problems.
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I have always a habitual night owl due to RLS and other types of insomnia.  I was (note "was") also a workaholic which was the exact opposite of how I was in my youth (until being treated for those two conditions).  

I have been fine for most of the last 22 years, until this last year.  It began with couple very severe sore throats, which developed into repeated sinus infections.  At first antibiotic treatment would bounce me back, but now and for the last 6 months I am so fatigued that some days I can hardly function.  

How I got here is a story of middle aged stupidity.  During the previous 2+ years I apparently thought I was superman.  I have a job that is a 50 hour a week responsibility.  Not being very smart I then began a side business to help build things for my regular day job.  I was also helping with my wife's business.  I began working 36hr days nearly every week (too many times to count-often more than once a week).  During that same time I probably worked 6-10 / 55 hour days.  

I am not sure why I thought I could get away with it, but I felt compelled to get the work done and believed I had no choice.  I told myself that it would surely end soon.
  
Recent testing showed that my thyroid was functioning way below normal.  This was a relief since I now hoped that medication would correct the issue.  I have been on thyroid medication for 3 weeks and am feeling somewhat better, but no where near what I was expecting.  

Now I am becoming very suspicious that I have compromised my immune system to the point of fostering a relapse of mono.  How likely is this and can it be diagnosed or distinguished from "chronic fatigue syndrome" or some other ailment?   How can I get my life back?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
It could be just that you are over fatigued. Even if it is low thyroid, give yourself a month or two before complete relief will be observed. Consult a sleep specialist to find out if the RLS/insomnia/any other sleep disorder has intensified. Get your blood status for anemia, diabetes, Vit B12, testosterone tested.
Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!

[gabbygirl0917]

Mono is caused by the Epstein Barr virus (EBV).  Some people can carry the virus for a lifetime and 6% of those relapse, making it a possibility for your symptoms.  
I would suggest to get a copy of the past several blood tests so you can check/monitor your own thyroid levels.  Normal levels are .5-5.0 and sometimes doctors will jump ahead (to give the patient an answer) when it is not needed.
From your post, I would suggest making some serious life changes.  You can't expect your body to go through the chronic stress and pressures you have described.  I would tend to suggest keeping depression as a viable option given your lifestyle and symptoms.  Depression doesn't always mean you are sad or sit and cry all of the time.  It can lessen your immune system, make you chronically fatigued, etc.
I'm surprised anxiety and panic attacks haven't made their way to the surface yet.
Good luck to you, I wish you well!

[Arsia]

Have you been tested for Lupus?
I'm only 17 and I've had the constant fatigue, as well. (I know you might not want to hear from a kid, but I want to at least give you SUPPORT, even if I can't fix you.)
Lupus is pretty much like having constant mono: your immune system is shot, you're constantly tired. But the main thing about it that's so bad is that it's extremely hard to catch. My aunt had 3 years of blood tests before they caught that she had it.
There are two kinds: one, like I explained above, and the other that's the same but when you're in the sun, you might get sores or something on your skin.
I'm not an expert, so I suggest looking it up, and also suggest getting tested.
I'm still trying to live with this chronic fatigue, but sleeping pills help me a lot (at least getting to sleep, not with the fatigue).
I've been tested for the thyroid and I'm fine there, so I don't know about that.

[serina896]

what is the exact values of the thyroid profile?
Simply do a CBC with differential count , if there is any relapse your WBC will show it, but I recommend an ESR as you may have an autoimmune thyroiditis .