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Original poster

Question for people who've had glandular fever - how long did it take to get better?

36 replies

PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 14:53

Just that really.

I've been feeling like utter shite for 3 weeks.

I started to feel better this week and was hoping to go back into work tomorrow.

But weirdly sore throat got worse again yesterday and am sooooo exhausted today (despite having not moved from sofa).

Am fed up and utterly BORED. I want to feel better

OP posts:
compo · 14/09/2008 14:57

your gp can test for glandular fever
my mate had it and it took about a year to clear up
It only really went when she took a year off from work tbh
Hope you haven't got it though xxx

Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 15:01

I have got it

Confirmed by blood test. Which also showed my liver enzymes were wonky too.

A year? Really?

OP posts:
compo · 14/09/2008 15:27

yes but she didn't follow the doctor's advice to rest as much as possible
but that is very hard to do
shewoul dgo through weeks of feeling okay but tired, and then a few weeks of feeling crappy
what did the gp recomend you do?

Celery · 14/09/2008 15:31

I unknowingly contracted GF in February. I thought it was flu and after the initial week or so, tried to carry on as normal. I felt utterly shite for about three months before finally going to the GP, who through blood tests diagnosed GF. As much rest as possible, change of diet etc and it gradually got better, but even now, 7 months later, if I don't take care of myself, it flares up again. Post-virally, it can effect you for many many months.

expatinscotland · 14/09/2008 15:34

i was only 11 and got it from my sister.

was up and running in about a week because i was so young.

Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 15:45

GP didn't recommend anything. They've been pretty rubbish TBH.

They even gave me someone elses blood results at first

OP posts:
Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 15:47

Oh they told me to go for another blood test in a week.

And gave me a sick note for a week (when I asked them to).

OP posts:
Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 16:13

Wah! I want someone to tell me it'll get better soon

Is there anything I can do to help it go away?

Resting is hard, I have so much I should be doing. Also it is very, very boring and I'm starting to go slightly insane sitting inside all day with no energy to do anything...

OP posts:
Ewe · 14/09/2008 16:16

Took me 8 weeks off work to feel better. It's horrible!

Sleep, rest, drink lots of water and eat a good diet.

sagecat · 14/09/2008 16:28

I had GF years ago, took about 3 months to get over it but had to take it easy for about 5 months in total (I was really ill initially - in hospital for 2 weeks) I was told must take it easy, no pushing myself as it could lead to MS. Take care and rest (I know its hard when there's lots to do)

Chaotica · 14/09/2008 16:33

I had it years ago and had to rest completely for about 2 months, do very little for the next two and it flared up for a couple of years occasionally after. (Sorry to hear you've got it.) I found B vitamin supplements helped.

Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 19:14

Oh bugger...
Thanks for the advice though
I've got some multi-vits I'm sure they have B vits in, so I'll start taking them.

I think what's happening is - I start to feel better and am so relieved I do all the stuff I've been wanting to do, and then get tired and ill again.

I'm debating whether to go into work next week or not....I want to cos I'm soooo fed up at home, but don't want to make myself even more ill....

OP posts:
avenanap · 14/09/2008 19:17

I had it almost 2 years ago. I still have times when I feel like shit. Take it easy. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Celery · 14/09/2008 19:40

You have a very weakened immune system at the moment, that's why it keeps knocking you back again. Accepting that it's going to take some time to get better makes it easier to deal with. Rest as much as you can, and work towards strengthening your immune system. A good quality multi-vit, probiotics, perhaps even go down the herbal route if that's your thing. There is a lot of information on how to boost your immune system if you google it, or seek professional advice if you feel you need to. Above all, changing my diet helped me. Eating as much natural non-processed food, tonnes of salad, cutting out processed stuff and most importantly for me I think, cutting out sugar, because when I do fall off the wagon and eat sugary stuff again, that's when I get ill again. It's not easy, but I was in such a bad place health-wise, with just no let up, that these changes have been so worth it. I realise it's a long-term thing for me. Because if I stop taking care of myself, I just get ill again. Who knows, maybe these life-style changes will have to be permanent.

nickytwotimes · 14/09/2008 19:47

I had it aged 21 and didn't rest in the early stages - ended up lasting a year in total. This is not unusual at all, btw.
My dh had it in his youth too and was off work for 3 months as he had proper advice and followed it.
My brother had it and was fine after a month.
The main thing is to take it easy NOW and you should make a quicker recovery.

It is utter pants.
You have my utmost sympathy.

nickytwotimes · 14/09/2008 19:50

Oh and yes, we all found that we had mini-relapses for a while afterwards, ususally if we were working or partying too hard.

Take heart though because the majority of adults in this country have had it and have no long term ill-effects.

expatinscotland · 14/09/2008 19:51

well, let's put it this way: you can't get much fitter than Roger Federer, who is also only 26 years old.

he had glandular fever earlier this year and only just now got back to full fitness.

needamiracle · 14/09/2008 20:03

I had GF about 7 years ago. I took 6 weeks off work and in hind-sight went back too soon. My GP was superb. He saw me every two weeks, gave me a check over, blood test etc and wrote me a sick note for 2 weeks at a time.

To be honest, I am just about back to the fitness that I was when I was diagnosed. Saying that, I have since been through 2 rounds of IVF and had a baby. So, it is a horrible illness. I also had acupuncture to help primarily the IVF, but she told me that the GF was still in my system 2 years after diagnosis!

Take as much time off as you can. Rest when you can. Don't do any exercise. Sleep and get better.

Hope that helps a bit. Get well soon.

Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 14/09/2008 20:07

It is utter pants indeed

I bought some echinacea and have been taking this. It's supposed to strengthen your immune system but I have no idea if it actually works.

Dammit, I can't give up sugar, I'm already not allowed alcohol cos of my liver enzymes. I need some pleasure left in my life!

OP posts:
sallystrawberry · 14/09/2008 20:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

deepbreath · 14/09/2008 22:45

I was very ill just before the school hols, so over 2 months ago. After having lots of blood tests, the Dr's decided that I've had the Epstein-Barr virus recently (probably within the last 3 months), but didn't formally diagnose me with glandular fever (?) even though I had all of the symptoms, including enlarged spleen, blood clotting problems and wonky liver function.

If I get tired (which seems to happen after doing really silly little things now), I get a raging sore throat again. I also get pain and swelling around my liver/spleen area, which affects my appetite. The whites of my eyes go a bit yellowish too. I'm wondering if they got my blood tests mixed up with someone else's, as the last set of tests 2 weeks ago showed nothing at all, and I haven't bothered to go back to the doctor again. What's the point?

I can honestly say that it's only been the past week that I've been up to doing normal things if I can rest in between tasks. I'm not working at the moment anyway. With no proper diagnosis, people are getting fed up with me being like this seemingly for no reason.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Original poster
PeppermintPatty · 15/09/2008 09:11

Just seen your post deepbreath - poor you It sounds like you have glandular fever, could you not go back to the doctors and ask them why you feel like this when your blood test is normal?

The receptionist gave me my blood results over the phone - I don't know how she mananged to get me mixed up with someone else as I have an unusual surname which I spelt out for her (I always have to do this!).

IT's only cos I queried the results with a GP that I found out she had given me the wrong ones!

It's worth querying yours if you think they're wrong

OP posts:
bythepowerofgreyskull · 15/09/2008 09:15

I had it when I was 16 through my exams..
It took 9-10 months to clear up but after a 5 week break it came back and a blood test showed it was a totally different strain of GF.

REST!!! be kind to yourself... Rest some more..
it is horrid I really remember that feeling.. I was given Metatone tonic to take to balance out my vitamin and mineral intake. Not sure if they still make it but It may have helped??

Hope you feel better soon

EmilyNJess · 20/12/2010 17:55

I know this is a really old post but my husband has glandular fever and I think I've got it too. What I forgot to ask the dr was whether we could pass it on to our 2 year old? Any one out there know? (hope you're feeling better now, btw)

purplepeony · 21/12/2010 08:45

I caught it when teaching in my late 20s.
I felt utterly vile- never felt so ill in my life- could not walk up a flight of stairs without stopping for a rest half way. ( and i was very fit- playing squash 3 x a week and jogging!)
It floored me- was off work for a month thenwent back too soon really. I didn't feel right for a good 6 months.
There is no "cure" so even if you do have it, te only way up is rest.