Question: Have you had mononucleosis earlier in life?

[JulieNH]

Wondering out loud....Have any of you also had mononucleosis earlier in life? I did, as a Junior in high school, and several of my other aneurysm friends also contracted mono as a teenager, so we were wondering if anyone else here on the board did also. Could be just dumb coincidence!
JulieNH

[Lyn]

Yep, me too. First year of high school. This question gets a fair bit of 'air play' on the MS forum as well. Could there be any kind of autoimmune basis for annies???

[FireflyR7]

I caught it when I was in my mid 20's. I got the worst strain the Epstein Barr Virus and was very sick for years. That is what caused my fibromyalgia too.
Nasty virus!!! :p Tricia

[pamuk]

yes, me too,although it is called Glandular Fever here in the UK.

Lyn re your mention of autoimmune disorders, my GP is currently doing tests on me for my autoimmune system - he seems to think it is a bit over active! Personally although I am not a medical person I think there is a link between some inflamatory conditions I think I read some where about this link but cant remember where.

Pam from england

[goldie411]

Never had it, but, interesting question...take care Cindy

[abigayle]

I've never had it.

[ChrisC]

Never had it either. Interesting correlation, maybe??

[FireflyR7]

"Mono" has several strains! I was told by an immune specialist when I had it that everyone has had it or been exposed, some people just don't get sick from it. Bernie never got sick from me?? Others suffer miserably for quite some time! It does comprimise your immune system.
I had to have a glad removed on the left side in my neck because it was so inflamed it wouldn't function. It didn't get better no matter what anti-biotic I took! I had the worst strain. It was no fun at all!! :( Tricia

[heartland]

I never had it either, but did have something when I was a senior in high school that knocked me on my butt. Missed a week of school and the first week of track so it was in the spring. Doctor didn't know what it was and I wasn't treated w/ anything for that reason, thinking it was more than likely viral... ie... a bad cold. Stayed in bed, slept a lot, low grade fever, hurt like heck to swallow, even liquids, let alone eat. Went back to the doctor (he was a sports medicine doc and a moron when it came to illnesses) since I wasn't improving, got a shot of penicillin, and that did the trick. Later in the afternoon, after receiving that, I was much better than I'd been in a week and was back in school the following Monday and even made it to track practice w/out a problem. Still have no idea what it was and have never been sick like that again since, nor had I been sick like before.

Lisa

[Lyn]

Pam
There are a number of viruses suspecting in having a part in lots of autoimmune diseases - MS, Rheumatic Fever and Lupus to name a few. There is no concrete link to this, but Epstein Barr (glandular fever - we call it that over here too), and HHV6 (roseola) are frequently associated with these.

Obviously, my immune system is overactive, hence the MS and ITP (autoimmune blood disorder). My sister and niece also have Lupus, so we are clearly from the shallow end of the gene pool. ;)

Not sure where/if annie fits in though. It would be interesting if there was a link, but I sure as hell wouldn't wish any more health problems on the annie survivors/patients on this forum. They have had enough to contend with, having one of them.

Get tested though, I am assuming it is a blood test, not a bone marrow biopsy (ouch!) - if so, it is good to know what you are dealing with.

Cheers

Lyn

[sarahin]

I had mono in my early 20s. I also have an autoimmune diease- Grave's Disease. I've had the floor of my orbits removed (to make more room) due to inflamation behind my eyes. Hashimoto's and lupus in the family too. Hmmmmm?
Sarah

[snapdragon]

Yes ,I had it too , funny thing was I was not dxed with it till later in life ,when i was going through one of my bad spells , but DR. said that once you have had it it will always show up in the blood . Mine was no longer active when they found it so not sure when i had it but most likely as a teen .so good to know there is a test that will tell if you have ever had it if you want to know for sure ,or it is a concern .

[Horsegirl]

I had it when I was 17. Was sick for an entire month. Aneuyrsm discovered when I was 36. Interesting!

[JudyAnn]

This is so interesting. I had it my senior year in high school, a time when no one really had it. Also after my clipping surgery, after the rupture, I had several months of fever, and they thought I had an autoimmune disease, too. Wonder too if all the inflammation does effect the blood vessels. Thanks for asking. I'd really like to know what may have been contributing factors for the aneurysms I still have, too.

[Junebug]

Yes, when I was 20.

It would be great if science knew exactly what causes annies. That way, we could all stop doing that one particular thing, or get some type of a shot.

Wow!!! Am I ever having a strange day. Maybe my wellbutrin didn't kick in yet.

Junebug

[Suzanne*Canada]

hmm interesting question.. and answers. I have been picking my brain for almost 9 years now about ..hmmm I wonder if???..... There are lots of studies going on right now about causatives for annies.. I pray every day that the cause will be known and these little monsters will be irradicated!

My Dad and sister never had Mono... but Dad's sister did have it as a teenager and she had a rupture also....interesting !

Suzanne

[dani_doot]

wow wow wow....i am soo suprised about all this. i'm 22 years old, and im 3weeks post clipping surgery. i have been healing quite well, but last week i had a really really sore throat, so i seen my doctor who said i had swollen lymph nodes and prescribed me with amoxicillan antibiotics, but strangely on the day he diagnosed me i had a fever of 101 degrees farenheit and for a few days before i was having the chills ( all of which i assumed to be because of the surgery)

8days after taking the amoxicillan it was time for me to come of them, which was great, but today i woke up this morning and i was covered in a rash from head to toe of my body. its little red dots spread everywhere and quite itchy. i went to see my doctor who is sending me on monday to get blood tests for mononucleosis, and knowing that i have looked it up and i have and had every single symptom of this so far, and apparantly your not supposed to have any penicillan antibiotics if you have "mono" as this causes a rash (like me)

this is really freaking me out to think that this and the aneurysm might all be in contact. interesting but freaky. lol.

[wonderland]

Hi Lyn and JulieNH. Its nice to see you guys and yes, I did have mono when I was 16.
I have no other family members with annies - it would be interesting if they were
caused by a virus.

Pamela

[JohnS]

Nope never had it.

[rmbing64]

I had it when I was in my 20's. I was also being looked at for a possible autoimmune problem last fall, before my rupture, because of some numbness I have in my hands and feet. I was supposed to see a rheumatologist but I was too busy, now I am just sick of doctor's, but I probably have Reynauds. I keep telling my husband, my dance card is full, maybe in the summer I will go. Suzanne, it is nice to see you back. I have missed your articles and information. Rose

[dani_doot]

rose this is an old thread..suzanne had posted that on 29th june 2007. Just thought i should let you know huni. xx

[wonderland]

Shoot. I always forget to look at the posting dates. *doink
I thought they were all back. I have missed all of their voices.

Pamela

[rmbing64]

Me too. I should be more observant. Thanks, Dani. Rose