Hey guys!
I'm a 20 year old female. I was diagnosed with mono last February and a year later I still have it (confirmed by a blood test both times). My symptoms let up a little over the summer but are back and worse than they were when I was first diagnosed with mono. I am tired all the time! I originally lost 15 pounds and gained back 20 since September of last year. My eating habits and exercise frequency has changed drastically due to how tired I am. I am experiencing insulin resistance, not in the case where I just need more, but to the point it just doesn't work. For example, I woke up at 200 corrected, 2 hours later I was 220 so I corrected again, and 2 hours after that I was 240. I have upped my lantus from 11 to 16 units but my fasting numbers are still the same. I'm not eating high carb foods, I eat a low carb diet (Dr. Bernstein's). I can handle the tiredness to some extant but these blood sugars are really tough.
I would love any insight!
Thanks, Hannah
I went through this myself when I was in my early 20s. Not to scare you, but I technically had mono for almost 3 years. I was symptomatic for about a year and a half, and that time period was rough. However, after that point, I slowly started to feel better and my BGs steadily improved. My A1cs were not great during that period though, and I did require far more insulin. I also came down with other bugs more frequently, I guess because my immune system was compromised.
One thing that did help was spending a period of time on an all vegetable and fruit diet. I did some juicing along with consuming tons of raw veggies. That was the only thing that helped me turn the corner. My understanding is that there's just nothing medically that can be done to speed recovery. You just have to ride it out. I am so sorry you're going through that. I remember that period well and it was HARD.
Thank you for your response! I'm sorry you had to go through this but it's nice to know that you eventually came out of it. I'm in college and I feel like i'm missing out on the experience a little bit because I only really have enough energy to make it to class.... and then sleep/study the rest of the time. I began eating a whole foods diet without gluten, so it's mostly vegetables and meat. It's been helping considerably but i'm definitely not back to normal yet.
Thanks again, Hannah
Mono is a viral condition, once you have it you will always test positive for it. But I assume they are looking at the different levels, and the level they are looking at is still showing it to be an active infection. Mono also make you more prone to chronic fatigue syndrome as well. Mono sucks, I felt worse with mono energy wise than I did when I was pregnant. It's been years since I've had it, but I definately tire, and feel more tired now then I did before having mono. Just rest as much as you can and ride it out, unfortunately there isn't much else that can be done.
