A Reply to "Who Here had Mono?" ...

[VP1964]

I had a bad case of Mono when I was 18 and had to take a medical leave of absence from work for 1 month. They say the Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) that causes Mono stays in your body after you recover. There are studies being done regarding the relationship between EBV and MS... Maybe people that have MS but never had Mono were asymptomatic (had no symptoms) to Mono but have the EBV in their body... After my bout with Mono, I never felt the same; meaning I never felt well rested after a good nights sleep and always felt fatigued. I was diagnosed with MS 8 years ago at age 49 and have progressed to PPMS. I personally think there is a link between the two...

[Workerbea]

Hello VP1964, I believe there is a link between Mono and MS. My previous Neurologist at Strong in Rochester NY said his MS patients have all had Mono when I suggested this idea to him. I had a bad case of Mono in eleventh grade and missed months of school. My youngest daughter had Mono at 3 years so I'm very concerned for her. She's now 30. I hope to learn more about this and try to keep my daughter informed. Thank you for writing about this. Sending best wishes for your health and happiness.

[Amore55]

Very interesting. Thank you. I agree with you. I also had mono.

[Jogibby]

I had a bad case of mono at 15, was diagnosed with MS at 52, PPMS at 55. I’m 59 now. Thanks for posting this question. All my best to you and your daughter.

[palomino27]

Virtually same story here. Mono in 8th grade...never felt the same after either....my father is still alive and remembers how acutely sick I got. I was 6'4" in 8th grade and was the star basketball player. Had to miss most of the season. Then in high school my energy was never the same.Then Lyme in my late 20s and early 30s. MS at 34 or so. Now PPMS in a power wheelchair at age 44.

When I tell most doctors this they could seemingly care less....fools!

Very sad story😕

[sashaming1]

Yes, from what I've learned over the years there is probably a link.

[Goldilockssearching]

NEVER had Mono

[Goldilockssearching in reply to Goldilockssearching]

In fact, I was rarely ever sick

[Sandydemop]

i had mono in college. it took a month of my life. i agree it's probably related.

[JTZES]

Your story sounds like mine. I had it so severely that my throat was almost swollen completely shut. As well while I was in the hospital I picked up hepatitis and spent 2 months in the hospital.I was diagnosed with MS at 43 but never coralated the 2 together. The only similar effects I noticed is the fatigue.

I don't blame my MS on having had MONO.

[wolfmom21fl]

never had mono but was exposed to it when i was in my early 30's... someone i worked with in a very small real estate office had it and didnt know for weeks.. so of course everyone got exposed. I never developed the disease but but after that happened I would go on to develop symptoms of MS beginning about a year - 18 months after that exposure. I do not recall ever being tested for Epstein-Barr antibodies? I will need to go back thru my blood work that was done just prior to my DX. That was extensive and covered just about everything else including Lyme, thyroid and many other things... TY for posting

[Katiehawk]

Yup. I got it at the start of my freshman year of college (19yrs). I was bad, I was hospitalized for 3 days and missed a good portion of that 1st year of college. Then, periods of strange/severe illness followed by me being a-ok! Diagnosed with MS at 40.