"my mono-log" written by Lilho on estrip.org

10/02/10 04:45 - 52.ºF - ID#52881

my mono-log

still feel like crap. going back to working 11 hr days is too much. i'm not sure what to do...

now i woke up today and my right eye is all red. not utchy, just completely red and i look crazy.

i'm so tired, and my legs hurt and i feel weak, and all i want to do is sleep.

i think i might have to tell my boss or something about this next week, because i'm not sure i can work the full 50 hrs next week, plus another 10 at my other job, plus school. i just feel like crying.

i hate mono, and if one more person tells me how "tired" they are, i swear i will scream...

libertad writes at 06:43:08 10/04/10 - Comment #58748: Whoa, that was way over my head, (e:tiny)! Haha! Really, I get what you were saying, chances are it is mono and that she probably wouldn't have anything else with it. I'm glad to hear that the mono test is pretty accurate. That is a problem with Lyme tests, as I know that you already know.

Get better soon (e:lilho)! You need a cute little plush Mono, I think that would make you feel better.

tinypliny writes at 12:29:57 10/04/10 - Comment #58746: (e:libertad), it's interesting you are asking about the screening validity of the mono-test. I was looking it up recently because of a cross-interest in CMV (Cytomegalovirus) - a relative of the EBV (Epstein Barr Virus), that causes mononucleosis.

Found this study that compared specificity and sensitivity of a variety of EBV tests in the market: :::link:::

The study found that:
"The sensitivities and specificities of the individual tests ranged from 81 to 95% and 98 to 100%, respectively"

To clarify some jargon:
A sensitivity of 100% means that test recognizes all the
actual positives - everyone affected with EBV. The EBV test recognizes that a person is infected 81 to 95% of the time. That's decent. But there is a maximum 19% possibility that it might MISS the fact that you are EBV positive.

A specificity of 100% means that the test recognizes all actual negatives - the healthy people. The specificities of EBV tests are 98 to 100% - that's VERY impressive. It means that if the test turns up positive, it's 98 to 100% likely that you are NOT healthy.

The second question about the EBV test is, can it be positive if there are other underlying diseases, for eg. Lyme disease or what is cross-reactivity of the EBV test?

To answer this question, I found 2 relevant studies:
1. :::link:::
This study found that an EBV test might be positive if there is an underlying CMV infection. This is because the antibodies that are induced by the EBV virus are of a similar class as the antibodies that are induced by the CMV virus. This is not a very surprising finding as the viruses come from the same family. What this means is that anyone who is diagnosed as EBV positive might well be CMV positive. From (e:lilho)'s point of view, this doesn't change things too much. Both these viruses have similar symptoms as well as similar clinical/conservative management and (unfortunately) no specific vaccines or treatment.

2. The other study looks at whether EBV and CMV could be confused for Lyme Disease. :::link:::
EBV and CMV could be confused and interpreted as Lyme Disease. But not the other way round. So if you are positive for EBV/CMV, and have been told that you have mono, you probably have mono. But if you have been told that you have Lyme Disease, you should go in for a second more specific test to check the Lyme diagnosis. In this case, (e:lilho) has been told that she has mono and it is a correct diagnosis with 98 to 100% probability.

I guess there is another possibility that she has BOTH EBV/CMV and Lyme. But that is a very unlikely event... It might be wise to wait and watch to see if the symptoms improve. I tried to search for prevalence of coinfection with Lyme and EBV, but this data seems to be pretty scarce. There was a study looking at evidence of co-infection in the Cerebrospinal fluids of patients who tested positive for the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). :::link::: (PDF link) Though they found other herpes-virus family coinfections, they didn't find any evidence of Lyme co-infection in this study.

There are plenty of forums around the web with random people claiming they have everything under the sun but I would be rather hesitant about accepting these claims on face-value.

libertad writes at 06:01:40 10/03/10 - Comment #58740: That's right, (e:lilho), kill it with the constant whining. I would be complaining up a storm so I'm sure it would be gone in just a few days if I got it.

Is a mono test definitive? It just seems like the symptoms could go with a lot of different things, like Lyme. I wouldn't want you to go untreated for something like that. I suppose it would be hard to get in AZ? Maybe not after looking on google.

tinypliny writes at 04:52:49 10/02/10 - Comment #58733: You know chronic fatigue syndrome is now attributed to viral infections. The virus is probably tapping all the resources that your immune system needs to maintain an energetic homeostatic metabolic state.

Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink a ton of fluids. Go back to sleep. The virus will get tired of all this constant whining in a few days.

Sending you good wishes for a speedy speedy recovery!

Permalink: my_mono_log.html
Words: 120
Last Modified: 10/02/10 04:45

09/29/10 09:58 - 58.ºF - ID#52858

the mono chronicles

so, no one wants to be around me....

truth is most people have been exposed to mono without even knowing.

has anyone had it, how long does it last???? at this point fever and aches are gone, im just tired....

ant to go to vegas in two weeks.... not sure if i should????? help!!!!

tinypliny writes at 06:12:18 09/30/10 - Comment #58691: I think it never really goes away. EBV, CMV and some other members of the herpes virus family just linger on waiting to strike when you are at your most vulnerable.

mike writes at 05:34:04 09/30/10 - Comment #58688: my friend Yosepha said she had it for like 10 years she would claim it as an excuse whenver she was tired

jbeatty writes at 02:56:35 09/30/10 - Comment #58687: I've had it twice. The first time it was basically a bad sore throat and fever that went away after a week. The second time I couldn't eat for nearly 10 days and slept for the entire summer of 1997. Go for it if you feel ok.

carolinian writes at 11:18:04 09/30/10 - Comment #58686: As long as you don't have sex, drink, or stay up too late I wouldn't see any medical reason why still couldn't have mono and still go to vegas.

lilho writes at 11:11:36 09/30/10 - Comment #58685: bed rest?! I have been sleeping about 12 hrs a night, and stayed home for a week from work. i think i'm out of the bed rest stage. i'll take it easy for a few more weeks. i'm done telling people i have it, they think they will get sick too, but most people my age have already been exposed to it.

libertad writes at 06:50:19 09/30/10 - Comment #58683: I gave (e:mike) mono but it is a cute plush toy not the real thing. Sorry, hope you get better fast so you can go to Vegas.

paul writes at 12:59:09 09/30/10 - Comment #58677: Get well soon.

tinypliny writes at 11:50:59 09/29/10 - Comment #58675: It's self containing and there is no particular cure because it's a virus (the Epstein Barr Virus). I would say complete bed rest, plenty of hydration, excellent nutrition with lots of vitamin C, iron and plant-based proteins should quell it in 2-3 weeks. But recovery completely depends on what your immune status has been in the recent past. Considering, you have been posting a ton of sick reports lately, I suspect your immune system is not up to snuff. Could be wise to reconsider that vegas trip and any undue exertion if you want to get rid of it completely.

Permalink: the_mono_chronicles.html
Words: 54
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/29/10 09:58

09/28/10 07:54 - 62.ºF - ID#52849

survey says

I have mono and strep. Double whammy.

This sucks. I can't date for a month and I was going to have two dates this week....

Must stay in self-contained bubble of sickness...

Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Permalink: survey_says.html
Words: 33
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/28/10 07:54

09/25/10 11:16 - 53.ºF - ID#52832

my love

i'm totally obsessed with this baby. she actually makes me want a baby, and i really don't see myself having le child.

a week of baby was total bliss, but now im paranoid i maybe got her sick i'm waiting for labs to come back to see if i have mono. i have been sick for two weeks been on multiple meds and keep getting more sick of different kinds of sick.

i've had a bedtime of 8 or 9 for two plus weeks, this is pathetic. walking up a flight of stairs could send me into cardiac arrest... i mean not really i'm just that sluggish.

anyway, this is my baby love and me wanting to smush her because she's so completely presh.

Permalink: my_love.html
Words: 124
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/25/10 11:19

09/22/10 02:33 - 69.ºF - ID#52811

a Jho.

Saw this license plate yesterday when I was driving home from a lovely lunch with my bro and niece.

We were stopped at a light and my brother says, "a Jho." I was thinking um yea, you are a j. Ho. His first name is Josh.

Then I look at the car in front of me.... So hilar! I want that license plate!!!!

Permalink: a_Jho_.html
Words: 65
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/22/10 02:33

09/20/10 12:10 - 61.ºF - ID#52789

why cleaners are amazing

didn't have it in me to clean, and the house needed to be spotless for the arrival of my mother brother and niecey.

i hired a cleaning service, and they made stripes in the micro-fiber.

so awesome... rocks my world!

Permalink: why_cleaners_are_amazing.html
Words: 42
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/20/10 12:10

09/20/10 10:55 - 56.ºF - ID#52786

don't worry...

about a thing...

ok, my nervous breakdown is over. the fam gets here tonight. its pathetic i miss my mom. i need a mom hug and kiss.

i also need a bebe hug and kiss. i can't wait to see that chublet!!!!!!

so, i guess i am feeling better. still tired. but my eyes keep getting more swollen. i refuse to go back to the stupid np i saw last week, because all she did was give me some antibiotics and tell me to take some allergy meds.

ok, allergy meds didn't help the swelling loser. annnnnd my eyes are much more swollen than wednesday when this all started. i look like a freak...

i just need to come home from work and see that baby and none of it matters.

Permalink: don_t_worry_.html
Words: 131
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/20/10 10:55

09/16/10 12:39 - 51.ºF - ID#52752

my eyelid is drooping

I've been sick on and off for about four days. started with severe back pain then a fever and body aches and chills. I've just been really tired. then i thought i was better...

but the fever came back last night and a bit today. still have the horrible back pain.

now my right eyelid is drooping and i have an awful headache.

i really have to see a dr. tomorrow. kind of scared its something serious.

Permalink: my_eyelid_is_drooping.html
Words: 77
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/16/10 12:39

09/13/10 01:11 - 58.ºF - ID#52726

i cursed myself

friends were trying to convince me to fain sickness today at work so i could hang out...

of course i stayed at work. i am not sure i ever faked sick. ok maybe in hs.

anyway, get home and a wave of sicknees came over me. complete body aches. i hurt to touch anything. temp 101. dizzy. cannot eat all my dinner...

this never happens.

supposed to work tomorrow, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

this pic is scary but thats how i feel. ph and i had the chills so badly that i had on a tee, hoodie w hood on, long velour pants, socks. also took hottest bath possible. chills went away, feel them coming back.

mind you its 90 degrees outside, and 80 in the house.

i'm done talking smack about peeps for a few days...

Permalink: i_cursed_myself.html
Words: 133
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 09/13/10 01:11

09/05/10 10:59 - 60.ºF - ID#52666

can men and women be friends?

kinda irritated right now... this guy i've been friends with for about a year, we met through mutual friends.

anyway, i guess he likes me or something like that. i'm not interested in dating right now, and he just isn't my type. i told him that we wren't going to be hooking up and that he should care enough about me to atill want to be my friend.

he went off on me about how i don't like him because he isn't an MD or a professional athlete and he doesn't have tons of money. this is insane, i have dated a few drs and have met a few pro athletes. neither of the situations were anything major and he just seems so insecure and angry for whatever reason that he keeps bringing up these other men.

the fact is, i date who i like and most of the men i've dated are normal people who don't have tons of money. i am a normal person... not looking for a superstar, just someone who is a superstar to me! then he brings up how he isn't hot enough blah blah blah, this guy is a jerk.

i date who i like... and i don't want to date right now because i'm kinda heartbroken over someone and i have too many family things and work and school to deal with.

anyway, there is someone i'd love to date but probably never will. i'd rather have him as a friend then try to convince him he needs to date me... that is how you can tell if someone is genuine.

hey (e:paul), dancing last night was great!!!!!! tons of fun but so tired today! can't wait to get to blo and have a dancing night with you!!!!