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Original poster

I don't want glandular fever...

37 replies

naswm · 06/07/2008 17:36

..so shall I not go for the swab and blood test?

What is to be gained by knowing? Is there any treatment? Or is it just a case of sitting it out? If so, what is the point in the tests?

I have already been told (by a not so helpful friend) that glandular fever isn't a 'real' illness, so now I am wondering whether I should just shut up and put up, as they say

OP posts:
girlnextdoor · 06/07/2008 20:20

Your friend is wrong- it is a real illness - I have had it! it's real name is ...can't remember- but google it! That's why they do the blood test- to look for the blighter!

If you do have it, you need to rest as much as poss- it took me 6 months to get over it and a month off work- but even that was not enough- went back too soon.

littlelapin · 06/07/2008 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GrapefruitMoon · 06/07/2008 20:22

It is real! And can take a long time to recover from so go for the test!

littlelapin · 06/07/2008 20:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

corblimeymadam · 06/07/2008 20:23

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:32

In a way if it is I won't feel so bad for being such a wus lately - but then again, it is is I can't cope with the thought that I can feel as wretched as this for much longer

OP posts:
PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 06/07/2008 20:39

naswm, it might help to know if it is - at least then you (and others) can get off your case about "being a wus". When I was diagnosed it was a great relief to my father and I who had wondered what the hell was wrong with me, permanently either asleep, or shattered. But yeah, to treat it you pretty much do need to lie down for a couple of months. That part is a bummer.

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:42

and alas lying down for a couple of months is rarely an option is it?

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 06/07/2008 20:42

Not real?! WTF!
It is easily diagnosed. I had it for ages befor eknowing what it was and was fobbed off with 'oh, it's just a virus, you'll be fine next week' for months. It is worht knowing, then you know what to expect. I made myself really ill no tknowing what it was and forcing myself ot carry on. The earlier you reat, the better.

nickytwotimes · 06/07/2008 20:44

Well, lyin gdown fo rmonths may not be possible, but at least yo ucan ask for help more easily.

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:45

how is it treated nicky? cant bear to google

OP posts:
puffylovett · 06/07/2008 20:45

Definitely get tested and find out for sure.

There's lots you can do wrt diet and supplements to support your immune system to help fight the virus btw.

it's nasty - i had it early 20's and I know a lot of people who feel like they've never 100% bounced back - it can really knock you for 6 if you have it (sorry) so like lapin said your frend is full of sheite

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:47

I am feeling like shite now. I cant afford to have this

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 06/07/2008 20:50

I really hope you don't have it.

There is no treatment as such, other than rest and the passage of time.

If it goes on a long time, antidepressants can help if yo uare 'down'.

However, it lasts for widely different streches of time. I had it for 9 mths because I kept going whereas my brother and my dh had it for just 1 mth, because they knew early and slowed down.

nickytwotimes · 06/07/2008 20:52

Also, please know that the majority of adults have had it by the time they reach their mid-twenties, so it is very, very common and doesn't usually have any long term effects.

nickytwotimes · 06/07/2008 20:53

doesn't usually = rarely.
Please don't panic.
At worst, it is likely to be inconvenient and annoying, but not serious.

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:53

I have only been ill for about 4 weeks, but the GP last week was concerned because of my specific symptoms and because I am usually very pysically well - it is so unusal for me to be laid up with something.

I just want to sleep and sleep (but not in a depressed way, i know waht that is like, and this lethargy is different) but I cant sleep for longer than 2 hours without waking with the pain in my throat or the aches

OP posts:
puffylovett · 06/07/2008 20:54

ay, I kept going into work and tryng to be a hero so i consequently had it for about 4 months. I'm sure if i'd just stayed off and rested, it would#ve got better faster.

tehre's no treatment per se, as it's a virus.

if it were me, I would go and see a naturopath as there really is a LOAD of stuff you can do with diet and supplements and herbs to really boost your immune system and kick it off faster.. i just wish i'd known that back then !

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 20:58

I have a homeopath so if I get the diagnosis I will see her

Does anyone remember the throat pain getting worse and worse as the day goes on? It is horrible

OP posts:
puffylovett · 06/07/2008 21:02

nooo... just being shattered all the time. I remember having horrific throat pain for about 2 weeks, and had the white spots for about a week right at the very start - just thought it was strep throat till the doc told me otherwise !

seaside72 · 06/07/2008 21:21

naswm - I had glandular fever when I was 19 and it was horrid - conventional medicine is rubbish - no treatment just antibiotics for the throat infection (I had 3 bouts of back of back tonsillitus and then GP tested for GF) However - alternative medicine is brilliant and I managed to get back to 95% normality within 6 weeks of diagnosis with help of chinese medicine. Your homeopath will DEF be able to help you - acupuncture is also good.
Be gentle on yourself though- it is vital that you take care of yourself. Good luck hope you feel better soon

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 21:33

my throat was excruciating for about 10 days, and I had temp etc but now it is more or less ok in the mornings but gets worse as the day goes on, same as glands - they are visibly swollen now but this morning you couldnt see them

I am still hoping this is just some other virus and I will shake it off tomorrow I cant afford to have GF

OP posts:
avenanap · 06/07/2008 21:38

It's called infectious mononucleosis and is very nasty. You should go and get a test just incase your symptoms are because of something else. There's no treatment except for rest and it can take a very long time (years) to get back to normal. I had it a year and a half ago, I'm not quite there, hence the name. It can come back aswell. The blood test can sometimes miss it as it needs to be picked up within a certain timeframe.

Your friend is talking bollocks.

Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 21:41

So sorry avenanap My GP said blood test and throat swab... but wasnt sure whether to go, wasnt sure what was to be gained by knowing, but maybe I do need to know

OP posts:
Original poster
naswm · 06/07/2008 21:48

Run out of energy now. Going to crash out

thansk for advice etc everyone

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