mono?
 

Does anyone know if it's possible to get mono three times?

Yeah- I know it's one of those diseases that you're SUPPOSED to only be able to catch ONCE... however, the first time I had it was when I was in high school. Then last year, I had it again. I don't know how that worked out. My doctor said it's unusual for people to get it more than once, but not impossible. They checked the immunoglobin levels and all that, and the tests did indeed show it was a very active infection (and the CT scans showed my spleen was very very enlarged- I was actually forced to stay in the hospital for a bit as the pain was almost unbearable and they were worried they'd have to do surgery).

Today I've felt like crap. I was feeling GREAT early on in the morning, didn't sleep last night but was really productive, and went for a nice easy run (only 3 miles- I normally do more) this morning, that put me in a good mood too.... especially since I set a new personal record for my mile time.... but then I got really dizzy when I was running and started throwing up (could be from some new pills I've started taking recently, or could be something else) and I've been feeling worse ever since, even tho I only threw up twice.... my abdomen has been hurting, in the same way and the same type of pain as when I had mono. I've got this god awful sore throat (I also get strep quite often, so I'm keeping an eye on that, especially as my lymph nodes are a bit swollen and VERY tender). I've been incredibly fatigued, and I know it's not from not getting sleep, cuz I've gotten LOTS of sleep this week, the fatigue has been going on pretty much this whole week, though I don't know if that could just be from me being emotionally upset with my old therapist leaving... I haven't really been hungry, but then I rarely am, and all day today I've been getting these chills off and on (weird, since it was in the 90's today), but I don't think I've been running a fever (my skin has felt cooler than normal to me.... I can't find where the thermometer is tho). I thought it was just dehydration at first, I'm not sure if it can cause this type of abdominal pain and muscle cramping or not, but I've rehydrated as best I can and still feel icky. My neck keeps getting more and more stiff too, don't know if that has anything to do with anything or not....

I doubt it's mono, it's probably stress or who knows what else.... but I'm not sure what to do... should I get it checked out by the dr, or just try to forget about it? Me getting mono three times (and two of those times within a year) would be highly HIGHLY unlikely, if not impossible, wouldn't it? But maybe I shouldn't assume much is unlikely right now- this past year my immune system has been virtually non-existant. I had mono for the second time. I had chicken pox for the first time (btw- NOT fun to have when you're older! If I ever have kids I'll make sure to find a way to force them to get it while they're young!), had strep a bunch of times, and had meningitis. All the tests they did that came up positive they double and triple checked to make sure.... I'm sort of worried about why my immune system has been so low. I've always been fairly healthy- minus some minor heart conditions (neuro-cardiogenic syncope thing, and a prolapsing valve, and hypotension and bradycardia but I'm on special medicine that raises my pulse and bp now, it's still on the very low end of normal, but at least I don't have a pulse running in the 30's and 40's any more plus I take amphetamines for ADHD)... I don't know if it could just be from more stress (but it doesn't seem like I've had THAT much more) or from the prolapsing valve getting worse, I did also have to have a tumor removed from my kidney so that may have something to do with it, and I have to go get tested for HIV next week, all my friends and my dr want me to, I was exposed over a year ago from a rabbit at work (yes, they can give it to people), and I was tested initially, it was negative, and I was put on precautionary meds, but never went back for the final test cuz I was scared. Everyone says it is unlikely I have it, but it might be good to just know for sure.... but I'm still scared....

Sorry for rambling... I just don't know what's going on with my body entirely right now, and I wanted to give as much info as possible incase anyone has any ideas, I'm not sure what parts of this post are relevant and which aren't.... sorry....

What is the new medication you have been put on?

I suppose there is a remote chance that you could have mono again. Sometimes bugs mutate, or it's possible you body just hasn't built up enough anitbodies to prevent you getting reinfected. It sounds like, mono or not, you have a pretty nasty bug. It could be the flu, strep, mono, tonsillitis, meningitis, etc etc etc. Since you have had an unusually high number of moderate/serious conditions this last year, I highly suggest going to the doctor and not just forgetting about it.

It may turn out to be nothing, but it is always better to check and make sure. From what you describe, it does sound like your immune system has abandoned you, and given the fact that you have had all those bugs this year, getting checked out is going to be the safest thing.