Don't think I've ever been the same since having glandular fever, 30 years ago!

[largeprintagathachristie]

I had glandular fever when I was 20. That's now 30 years ago.
But it's still a 'before and after' in terms of how I feel, and it's dawning on me, very late, whether I might have come away from it with Epstein Barr or some kind of chronic fatigue. And whether there's anything I can or should be doing now?

When I had glandular fever at 20 I don't think I rested properly or for long enough or was told much at all in terms of health care.

Today was a typical day for me, including feeling completely exhausted after a very normal four-hour outing. Aching all over, absolutely craving sleep (after a full night's sleep last night).
Had a 2.5-hour "nap" this afternoon. Sometimes I can sleep for four hours during weekend days and whenever I can

The glands in my neck come up a lot and sort of pump whenever I'm even slightly under the weather and usually a migraine isn't far away.

In case anyone suggests HRT, yes, I think that might help me generally and I've started six weeks ago, but what I describe above is decades old and I could have written this exact post in my mid-twenties or thirties. It's definitely limited my life and I've also felt a bit embarrassed, if you know what I mean. I'm not lazy; the fatigue is just overwhelming. I hold down a job but there's not much left over.

Is there any point in mentioning this to a GP at this stage?

I think the long term effects of viruses are massively underplayed. I likely have hearing loss and an autoimmune condition as a result of an unknown viral infection. I think this is why they vaccinate against chicken pox in the US, there could be long term effects we haven't considered.

This is so interesting and so familiar. I had GF at 19 and have never fully recovered (now 56). I suppose I have just adapted my life to the condition. Have never managed to find a sympathetic GP.

Many, many years ago, I followed a very strict candida diet under the supervision of Erica White (she has written books). OMG - the difference was incredible - energy, could stay awake until midnight, could concentrate, no brain fog. It was hard work following it, and have definitely fallen off the wagon, but it really made me wonder if this was how 'normal' people felt!

You don’t have to go completely crazy diet wise to see effects. I fast till midday and eat low carb. No sugar. Have no problems now with my energy.

I low carb now and don't eat sugar. Whilst I enjoy this way of eating it doesn't make any difference to my energy levels sadly.

@BradleyCooperwillbemine

I low carb now and don't eat sugar. Whilst I enjoy this way of eating it doesn't make any difference to my energy levels sadly.

Oh that’s a shame. Do you fast too?

Gosh. You could be writing about me, had mine about 25 years ago.

My glands going up are the first sign I’m run down.

Me too, GF at 14, 6 months off school, then a recurrence at 23, and have never fully recovered. I’m 55 now and não every afternoon. I’ve been lucky in that I have worked for myself most of my adult life and could adjust my hours to suit

I’m now retired due to another medical condition, but even without work my nap time is sacred. My glands also swell up if I overdo it or get run down at all

I found these two really interesting videos about mitochondrial changes, metabolism and viral infection links to CFS/ME on the M.E. Action Network Channel.

InstellarOverdrive I had some hearing loss from childhood measles infection and then have further loss again due to Covid. I now require hearing aids post Covid.

FreeBritnee - no I don't fast. I have tried many, many times and it just makes me feel so ill, I can't do it. Its not the hunger as I can cope with that, its migraine type symptoms which then last a couple of days. Not worth it.

So, after this thread and others experiences, is anyone making changes?
I'm going to try dramatically reducing sugar and processed foods. Possibly even try gluten free, as their are coeliac in my immediate family so there's a good chance I have that too. I've also started taking a high dose vitamin b12 (already receive jabs) and vitamin d, along with iron every day. Fingers crossed for some changes 🤞🤞

I always suspected that it did something to my gut flora so fasting works great for me. Food seems to puss my body off and I’m a lot happier without it.

*piss

It's not just me ! My GF was 40 years ago, in my early twenties, and I can only say the bone tiredness, raised glands, 'thrum' of aching tiredness got a bit better with each decade ! But as for triggers, food choices, I'm none the wiser.

I have M.E. and whilst I was never diagnosed with GF, I was very ill around 19/20 and have been ill to some degree ever since. Extreme tiredness and 'brain fog'. Not able to work because of it and at this age (51) it's unlikely to improve. Nothing makes any difference except to follow my own schedule as much as possible, keep stress to a minimum, etc.

@Choconuttolata I've had hearing aids since secondary school. No one knows why I have hearing loss. I never had measles as a child but had countless other things. My general health has always been pretty rubbish but nothing concrete has ever been diagnosed. It's very frustrating.

My son had GF at 17 (2 years ago) and has never been the same health wise since. He has gastro issues, fatigue and a very low immune system. I do wise that HCP would take it more seriously.

Just seen something about some research that's been done where it shows that 2 out of 3 patients with Long Covid have had a reactivation of the Epstein Barr virus. I'll see if I can find a link.

www.rosecottagedoc.co.uk/post/ebv-reactivation-in-long-covid