I Really Need Some Support

[dksart]

Anything anyone can say would help right now.

I've been having this Mono over three weeks now and it's been getting worse since Sunday. I am so extremely fatigued I can hardly stand it anymore. The muscle pain and weakness has been worsening and is non-stop. My ears ache, I have a miserable headache, swollen glands in my neck/behind my ears, my throat still hurts a little and I have no appetite. I make myself eat so all the supplements I am taking won't make me nauseated. I can not even get out of bed, I am so tired and it is really depressing me now.

I have no doctor, no insurance, so I made an appointment at the free clinic that is over an hour away from my home. I called this morning to see if they could squeeze me in before my Nov. 19th appt. I had and they can't find me in the system. (*headache explodes to migraine) They gave me a new date..... January 16th 2009. I have to wait until next year.

This is why I said I just really need some support right now, I'm not sure how much more I can take.

[Lisa]

Open Original Shared Link

I bet you have a health department nearby. I think you need to see someone.

[ShayFL]

I would try to find somewhere else to be seen. But there are a few natural things you can try while you wait:

Oregano Oil capsules-natural antibiotic and antiviral, Lyseine- to help immune system, Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium. Eat some good old fashioned Chicken soup. It is mostly the salt that helps shrink the swollen passages of the throat.

Support your immune system as much as you can -- lots of rest, lots of fluids, avoid (or at least cut back) sugars and starches and processed foods. fresh greens, including young dandelions greens, are yummy and nourishing. avoiding any foods that you're even alittle allergic too will help reduce stress on your immune system. eating extra probiotic foods will help support your body (raw sourkraut, kimchi, and other naturally fermented pickles, kefir or yogurt if you're not allergic to milk, probiotic capsules if nothing else).

[Jestgar]

There's no prescribed treatment for mono. It's all supportive care. If you've already determined for sure that this is mono, you can only ride it out. If you're only guessing, then yes, follow MommaGoose's suggestion.

[jerseyangel]

I am so very sorry--you sound miserable and it's criminal that you can't be seen by a doctor.

Can you go to an emergency room? Momma Goose had a good idea about a health department--at least it's worth a try.

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts

[dksart]

Momma Goose,

Since hurricane Katrina, the health clinic I called is the closest one. Thanks for the link anyway, because of it I found a clinic for my daughter (unrelated issue.)

I would try to find somewhere else to be seen. But there are a few natural things you can try while you wait:

Oregano Oil capsules-natural antibiotic and antiviral, Lyseine- to help immune system, Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium. Eat some good old fashioned Chicken soup. It is mostly the salt that helps shrink the swollen passages of the throat.

Support your immune system as much as you can -- lots of rest, lots of fluids, avoid (or at least cut back) sugars and starches and processed foods. fresh greens, including young dandelions greens, are yummy and nourishing. avoiding any foods that you're even alittle allergic too will help reduce stress on your immune system. eating extra probiotic foods will help support your body (raw sourkraut, kimchi, and other naturally fermented pickles, kefir or yogurt if you're not allergic to milk, probiotic capsules if nothing else).

Thanks Shay,

I am taking extra Oregano oil, vitamin C, Mag/Cal/Vit. D and zinc/silver lozenges. I am not supplementing L-Lysine, but I do eat plenty beans, peas and other foods that contain it. I usually take most of these anyway, but I've bumped them up since I've been sick. I have also increased my pro-biotics by about 5x my normal dose.

I usually totally avoid processed foods, but since I am the cook, my diet is greatly limited to things that require little effort. I have made chicken soup about seven different ways since this started. Didn't think about the sourkraut and Kimchi, though. I love that.

Jerseyangel,

Yes, I am miserable. Absolutely miserable and it doesn't let up unless I am asleep, which I am a lot of the time. I sleep from 10pm - 8am where I used to only sleep from midnight-6am at most. Plus the rest of the time I am either just lying in bed or napping on and off.

Thanks for everyone's positive thoughts, I need them more than anything, I think I am going nuts. I know there is no treatment for this mono, I mostly posted this for some emotional support because I can feel myself slipping into depression. I have not had to deal with that since before my Gluten-free days began years ago and it frightens me. I can use all the good karma you have to spare.

[jerseyangel]

Keep in touch with us here--we really do care and hope that this doesn't linger on too much longer.

Take good care, and know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel

[veggienft]

Drink two to three large cups of rosemary tea per day until your symptoms abate.

..

[Jestgar]

Hang in there, and check back often. And don't ignore your depression. If you need to treat that, go to the ER. There are ways to get the charges written off if you can prove an inability to pay them.

[Mtndog]

I'm so so so sorry- I had mono as a child (and now have Lyme) so I know how horrid the pain and fatigue are. Sleep- that's what your body wants and needs. I remember being so weak I couldn't get to the bathroom by myself. Get as much chicken broth, soup and liquids into yourself as possible. If you get dehydrated you'll feel even worse.

The good news is that if it is mono, it passes eventually but you have to be careful to keep up with your rest because you can relapse and also have spleen involvement.

Keep checking in so we know how you are!!!!!! Sending you LOTS of good karma!!!!!!!

[dksart]

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging comments, I really needed them.

Yesterday was a tough day to get through. My brother was in town and wanted to pick me up to go shopping (that's our thing) and I didn't even have the strength to brush my hair much less shower.

Mtndog, thanks for the karma! I will try to keep hydrated, but I still have no appetite.

Jestgar, I am trying to hang in there. I recognize the depression for what it is and thought I could keep it together (I went through a deep depression before my Celiac dx) but sometimes it is bigger than me. I think it is a combination of my illnesses and financial/lack of insurance situation that is getting me so down. Could you elaborate on the emergency room thing? Maybe pm me.

Veggienft, I have tons of rosemary in my garden! The tea is brewing as I type, thanks.

Jerseyangel, It seems lately that the light at the end of the tunnel is always a train. I am really trying to get past that and look to a brighter future. It is so hard, with so many problems (way beyond just the mono) and no help in sight.

I just don't know what I would do without this community. You all have given me so much insight, advice, support and comeraderie that I just don't get anyplace else.

[Jestgar]

Could you elaborate on the emergency room thing? Maybe pm me.

Actually I'll post it here. It seems like useful information.

My niece broke her leg inner tubing and was taken to the emergency room, had surgery to implant pins, spent a couple days in the hospital, then went home. Although she was living with her dad, she was no longer on his insurance (too old).

Because she had a minimum wage job, and no insurance, she was able to petition the hospital to have most of her bill waved. I believe she still has to pay for the ambulance, but it' something like $20 a month with no interest.

County, university, teaching type hospitals are more willing to do this, but even private hospitals will wave the bill (and I think take it off their taxes) rather than have the expense of carrying this unpaid bill for years.

I'm sure every state (and probably every hospital) has different levels of income at which they will consider this. The key is to pursue the paperwork, not just run out on your bill.

I guess my other point is: I, as a tax payer, am paying your hospital bill. I really don't mind, but I'd rather have you go sooner, and pay for an ER visit, than wait for it to become a real emergency and have to pay for a hospital stay.

[still tiredofdoctors]

Can you go to an emergency room?

Oops -- quoted before I read the entire thread . . .

It is true - particularly if it is a state or teaching hospital - but I think even private hospitals post that they will NOT turn you away because of lack of ability to pay. You could be seen in the emergency room, receive some what sounds like like MUCH needed blood testing as poorly as you are feeling, treatment and in many cases they can "hook you up" with the drug representatives (at the hospitals, at least here, they rarely keep samples on-site) who have free programs.

Call the best hospital you have in your area (better to be treated at the best than the worst, if they all have the same policy), ask them if they will turn anyone down because of their lack of insurance or lack of ability to pay (they would potentially lose LOTS of gov't $$$ if they said "yes"), and then see if someone can take you into their ER.

I think it is DEFINITELY worth a shot.

[Jestgar]

Open Original Shared Link

Hospitals voluntarily report data. Those that don't report aren't eligible for medicare (and ya gotta wonder why they aren't reporting).

[dksart]

I am drinking my rosemary tea (much tastier than expected) taking my pro-biotics and extra supplements, and desperately trying to relax.

I got my appointment letter from the clinic today and it has someone else's name on it. The rest of the information is correct, so I called to see what was up. The receptionist was obviously having a bad day because she actually fussed at me and suggested that I "Just go ahead and try to show up for that appointment and maybe they will see me, but probably not." I calmly explained all the trouble I have had, but she cut me off and told me that lots of people have problems, but they are not her fault.

I feel so trapped, I have no choice but to take this because I don't have any other options. I am afraid to complain because, what if she moves my date back even further or erases my appointment all together.

Breathe in, breathe out.......

[Jestgar]

Sorry.

And everything is just so much harder when you don't feel well.

Maybe you can pretend your rosemary tea is hallucinogenic and will take you to a much nicer place

[dksart]

Sorry.

And everything is just so much harder when you don't feel well.

Maybe you can pretend your rosemary tea is hallucinogenic and will take you to a much nicer place

Ha! Thanks for the smile, I needed a bit of a chuckle.

[dksart]

My daughter is performing in her school's production of "Pippin" tonight. I am hoping to have enough strength to make it. I still do not want to eat much.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a kind of energy boost? I take a liquid B-12 and I also have some Emergen-C with extra minerals that is supposed to help.

Thanks.

[Yenni]

Oh, I am so sorry. I had that when I was in my early 20's. It was absolutely dreadful. I remember being down for several weeks and every time I had to swallow I wanted to scream. I survived on Tylenol.

I really hope you'll get to the point where it sorta turns around and gets better. Hugs to you!!

[dksart]

I made it to my daughter's play last night, boy that was exhausting, but she was awesome.

Today I feel like I was glutened, I don't know if it's a "stress" reaction from Mono or maybe my niece or nephew's kisses got me (they went to a Halloween fest before the play.) Besides the fatigue and muscle aches I've been having, I also have the worst headache along with horrible joint pain and inflammation. I can hardly walk at all or even move my neck, it's so stiff and painful. No D or brain fog, though, and that always happens after I get poisoned.

I wish I could just take a giant sleeping pill that would last until this is over with.

[MrsMH]

Have you tried Colostrum ? It is a miracle immune booster, it really helped my son with a strep infection (he cant have antibiotics due to a candida problem).

Good luck.

[dksart]

Colostrum, like colostrum? Really? I didn't know that was available as a supplement. I will look in to that. I suppose it's a cow's milk product, though and I am trying to avoid dairy right now. I have been having reactions to it.

You guys! It's been four weeks and I still feel so bad! I am so freaking tired and achy all of the time. My head hurts constantly, and I never get headaches anymore since going Gluten-free. I am going out of my mind. Some days my brain has energy and wants to do things, but if I even just cook something simple, I really pay for it the next day.

/rant

[Lisa]

I really think you should go to the doctor. Just go and sit until they take you. You have to wait hours when you do have an appointment time....so just go.

[jerseyangel]

You guys! It's been four weeks and I still feel so bad!

I stopped by to check and see how you were doing. Four weeks is an eternity when you feel this bad, I know. You're doing great as far as taking good care of yourself--hang in there, hopefully it'll begin to turn around soon.

[ravenwoodglass]

I made it to my daughter's play last night, boy that was exhausting, but she was awesome.

Today I feel like I was glutened, I don't know if it's a "stress" reaction from Mono or maybe my niece or nephew's kisses got me (they went to a Halloween fest before the play.) Besides the fatigue and muscle aches I've been having, I also have the worst headache along with horrible joint pain and inflammation. I can hardly walk at all or even move my neck, it's so stiff and painful. No D or brain fog, though, and that always happens after I get poisoned.

I wish I could just take a giant sleeping pill that would last until this is over with.

With the symptoms you are having that I have bolded you need to be seen by a doctor as soon as you can if you haven't already. If you have to go to the ER, there are some serious things that need to be ruled out.