Living with chronic mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus or glandular fever)

Living with chronic mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus or glandular fever)

The Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis or glandular fever, has the ability to build up a lifelong presence in the body. In most people, a healthy immune system keeps mononucleosis in chess. However, some people receive recurring or chronic mononucleosis weeks, months or years after the initial infection.

chronic mononucleosis symptoms are typically tiredness, weakness, sore throat and swollen lymph glands. These symptoms can fluctuate from day to day and from week to week. Periods of well -being often follow a relapse, since those affected try to resume their normal activities or do sports.

Life with chronic mononucleosis can be a very disturbing and frustrating time. Constant feeling of illness, money worries, loss of work or study opportunities, loss of independence, social isolation and little support are just a few of the things you may have to cope with. The future is uncertain for some people. You don't know what is around the corner. You don't trust your body. Do you get better or worse? Can you get help and support? Are there any treatment options? All of these factors can lead to anxiety, depression and the feeling that their health is outside of their control.

So what can you do in the middle of a chronic illness to achieve inner peace and happiness? According to spiritual teachers like Dr. John Demartini and Eckhart Great can all get ourselves to the present moment to find a balance instead of taking care of the past and future. Always thinking about the past or the future can cause negative states of mind that you distract you from the possibility of enjoying a fulfilling life.

As bad as it will be with chronic mononucleosis, hopefully we will find more comfort and joy in the simple little things of life. For some people with chronic mononucleosis who are bedridden, simple joys can be to hear music, hearing stories, meditation straps or to hear the birds singing outside.

For those who are more mobile, simple joys can be as simple as cooking, painting, working in the house or garden, clearing a drawer, putting family photos in an album, finding an exciting hobby or taking meditation or yoga. Some people enjoy helping others-this can be created by reading aloud for children, discussions with friends and family, animal care or participation in online forums or self-help groups to bring in their experiences and advice on chronic mononucleosis.

When I suffered from chronic mononucleosis for over 15 years, my simple joys were things that I could look forward to every day. They gave me a feeling of performance and pride, and I am sure they kept me at my mind. Some of the activities that helped me were in the sun every day, enjoying a sharp chicken soup, relaxing in a hot bitter salt bath, making yoga every day and diving into books about health and alternative therapies. In fact, during this time I decided to complete a naturopathic degree and to start my career in a different direction.

For one of my very sick Epstein-Barr patients, she could only lie flat on her back in a darkened room. Her eyes were so swollen and hurt that she couldn't even read a book or watch TV. Instead of becoming depressed and sad, she focused on listening to beautiful music that she would inspire and renew.

Another of my patients who was a teenager was isolated by her school friends and her social environment because of Epstein. She had terrible symptoms such as a red, rough throat, extreme lethargy, depression and little or no appetite. Her mother kindly went out and bought the entire series of TV sitcom "Friends", which she saw together on the couch. Her mother says that this gave them the opportunity to laugh and concentrate on something all the time and not on the disease.

Even with chronic mononucleosis, there should be many things in your life that you really love and enjoy. Start thinking about your daily life and seeing whether you can be grateful for something is a good start. Enjoy the beautiful and special moments of your day. Maybe you would even like to write them in a diary or diary or take pictures of them.

Recently I read an article about a photographer Hailey Bartholomew who started a personal project called "365 Days of Gratude". For a year, Hailey took a single photo of something every day, for which she was grateful. Her photos range from the simple delights of your favorite food, autumn leaves in your garden, shells on the beach, her cozy warm bed socks, growing herbs in your garden, her craftsmanship, fragrance candles and pictures of her family. This simple daily act to focus on the positive things of your day transformed her depression and stress into a mood of anticipation, fulfillment and joy.