I had a very severe bout of Glandular Fever ( caused by Epstein-Barr virus) when I was 19 - white cell count a the time was way above the normal range and I was delirious for days. Then again less severely when I was 21. I know there has been some suggestion that this illness or virus can be implicated in later CLL but I don't have a research link to quote for you.
Hi Thank you for reply . Yes there is suggestion can implicate CLL. Think i was around same age first time . Than not long after that i, iwas trying to fight pneumonia. By the time I was 26 had chronic fatigue, awful again . Eventually diagnosed medically M.E after 17 years of battling. Last Glandular Fever tested positive for the 4th time, was 4 years . Been so hard and now this . Lucky CLL early stages , something went right . 😊
Am new to this support site . Am not quite sure about my link to quote , sorry I sound stupid ? . How can I find out or , do mean email !!! Tina
Hi Stavrou1. So many people so many opinions about diets. Best general advice I can give, avoid plant based oils, the kinds that sit on supermarket shelves for months without refrigeration and do not spoil. If it does not rot on the kitchen counter within three days, it's not for human consumption. If even bacteria doesn't like it, why should I. On top of this avoid all processed foods, you know the packaged ones with a long list of ingredients half of which you don't understand? Those. Stick to one ingredient natural foods. Meat, eggs, veggies, low carb fruit etc. If it does not grow somewhere or walk around somewhere don't eat it. Then avoid all plant poisons that are known to cause auto immune conditions as much as you can. Pectins, lectins, gluten etc. Some tolerate these well, some worse. But they help nobody. And lastly, reduce your carb intake to around 100 grams a day for a month. See how this makes you feel. Some tolerate excessive carb intake well, some not. But again, I believe too many carbs don't help anybody. Beyond these things it gets complicated. Find a good nutritionist if you feel you need one. Good luck.
Almost certainly I caught the highly contagious Epstein-Barr virus as a youngster, without knowing it - like most people. If caught in later years this virus can produce the more severe symptoms of glandular fever (mononucleosis) and as I recall a couple of my fellow undergraduates had a few weeks of misery with that illness. Most people don't suffer thus because of long-lasting immunity gained in childhood.
Fast forward half a century, EBV may have re-surfaced while I was on treatment for CLL. I had two episodes of fever and fatigue, was in hospital as a precaution for three/four days, did not respond to antibiotics. Fast forward another 10 months I had a positive antibody test for EBV without active virus, also no detectable CMV, adeno or Covid.
Earlier, while on watch and wait, I had reactivation of two other viruses from the herpes family (which EBV belongs to), giving me shingles and cold sores. These two are easily controlled by Aciclovir, but for EBV I don't know of a magic bullet.
If you really had glandular fever three times as an adult, rather than another virus with similar symptoms, it suggests to me reactivation of EBV when your immune system has been lower than usual. Episodes of shingles / cold sores would support that theory.
Thank you for your reply, Very intresting - you have certainly been through it . Very miserable times and takes control of your life . Luckily not had shingles , many cold sores .
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
CLL and Fatigue
CLL (W&W) Fatigue and Adderall
Extreme fatigue and CLL
Fatigue with CLL
Is there anyone with M.E. and CLL ?
