Scarlett Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 This is week 5 being off work. The doctor basically called him back and said, 'yep you have mono. Off work until the end of October and come back for a blood test then.' The thing is....there are two very distinct sets of symptoms going on. The one is the exhaustion....which I get is the mono...but the other is what he went to the doctor with late August BEFORE the exhaustion. He had the hardest time getting it through the doctors head that something else is going on. What got the doctor back in his office 2 days ago was the short term disability form the doctor was asked to fill out. Suddenly he thought he needed to see dh again. :glare: So we were determined that once dh left the office that day (with the forms signed) dh would either have some answers, a referral or we would be finding another doctor immediately. Thankfully he got the doctor to listen.....and dh has an appt with a gastro doctor next week! Yah!!! I can't remember if I put this in the other thread but the way dh describes this other stuff is that he wakes up feeling like he has the worst hangover of his life. With no alcohol involved. :001_huh: And he can't get out of bed. Literally. 5 days out of 7 he is just not able to function AT ALL. Sometimes, like last Friday he was so bad he had to go back to bed later in the day and he had 101.5 temp. The doctor pressed on his stomach again and it hurt again. (When he did that in mid september the doc sent him for a gall bladder ultrasound and everything was ok and right about then the mono came back positive and the doctor just abandoned the pain in stomach! Grrrr... Right side just under ribs...last night it was hurting dh unprovoked. I highly suspect dh has had pain all along but was so sick in general he couldn't really pin point it until the doctor started pressing on him. I've never been so excited to have a doctor's appt scheduled. Please send good thoughts our way that something gets figured out and dh feels better soon. AND that the short term disability checks start coming in soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Live2Ride Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 :grouphug: and prayers! I hope they find out what is bothering him and get him going again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Mono can cause an enlarged spleen, which causes pain. It can take many months to recover from mono. My son had it this past spring. Hope it goes well with your dh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemsMom Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Has the doctor checked his appendix? I know two different men who were very ill for months and finally the doctors discovered it was their appendix. Both felt better after surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Mono can cause an enlarged spleen, which causes pain. It can take many months to recover from mono. My son had it this past spring. Hope it goes well with your dh. :iagree: Mono can be a BEAR in an adult. Expect the acute symptoms to be present for 8-10 weeks, maybe longer. His temperature will rise in the late afternoon, and generally start dropping after 11 PM. Spleen involvement happens in 50% of mono cases and can cause the exact pain you are describing. Did his doctor mention if it felt enlarged? Watch the abdominal pain carefully because a ruptured spleen is a 911 emergency. The fatigue from mono can be completely debilitating and very long lasting. Honestly, your dh could be like this for four to six months with a nasty case, and fatigue easily for another six months after that. Mono can be a long, hard road to travel for some people, while others never even know they have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 :iagree: Mono can be a BEAR in an adult. Expect the acute symptoms to be present for 8-10 weeks, maybe longer. His temperature will rise in the late afternoon, and generally start dropping after 11 PM. Spleen involvement happens in 50% of mono cases and can cause the exact pain you are describing. Did his doctor mention if it felt enlarged? Watch the abdominal pain carefully because a ruptured spleen is a 911 emergency. The fatigue from mono can be completely debilitating and very long lasting. Honestly, your dh could be like this for four to six months with a nasty case, and fatigue easily for another six months after that. Mono can be a long, hard road to travel for some people, while others never even know they have it. I know that is true, but there IS something else going on because it started over a year and a half ago and gradually got worse until he went to the doctor late August. The hang over feeling happened once in a while and then it began to increase in frequency and intensity. I think whatever has been getting worse for 1 year and a half got his immune system so low he caught mono. But who knows. I am just ready for answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Then I would suggest extensive blood work and an upper and lower GI panel, if that's where he's symptomatic. I hope your new doc can give you some answers. Has his blood sugar ever been tested? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Then I would suggest extensive blood work and an upper and lower GI panel, if that's where he's symptomatic. I hope your new doc can give you some answers. Has his blood sugar ever been tested? Yes his blood sugar is fine. He was convinced he was diabetic, but they tested it in the lab and gave him a kit to check at home....it was always around 100. We keep thinking it is the gall bladder...there is a functionality test they can do called a Hidda scan ( I think that is how you spell it) but the GP wouldn't order it. I think it is an expensive test....anyway, hoping this gastro doc will order it....or figure out what is wrong somehow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Have they checked for things such as Lyme disease, lupus, or other auto immune issues? Thyroid? Has he had his heart checked out? So many things it could be. I feel for you. I'm sure it is worrisome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 I hope he gets answers very soon. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 Goodness, how frustrating. I hope you get some clear answers and returned good health soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Have they checked for things such as Lyme disease, lupus, or other auto immune issues? Thyroid? Has he had his heart checked out? So many things it could be. I feel for you. I'm sure it is worrisome. Lyme test was negative...so was West Nile...and a bunch of other stuff. No one has said anything about his heart. His lymph nodes have been swollen for months. Even after two rounds of antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Saw the gastro specialist today. I heart him. Dh and I both almost started crying from the sheer relief of being listened to and understood. He did not act like dh's symptoms were vague or imaginary...he nailed it almost instantly...his preliminary diagnosis is Viremia (I think I spelled that right) and severe gastroparesis. He doesn't think it is the gall bladder but ordered a Hidda scan to rule it out and will be doing a scope to confirm what he believes it is. Dh does have a virus (blood work confirms this ) and the virus sometimes settles in the nerves that control the stomach emptying out into the small intestine. That causes the gastroparesis which can lead to severe and chronic fatigue. It usually goes away when it is caused by a virus. In the meantime he gave dh meds for the extreme fatigue and the nausea. He also listened to me and did not act like I was some intruder (the GP wouldn't allow me in the exam room with dh). It wasn't exactly 'great' news but at least someone is listening to us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Saw the gastro specialist today. I heart him. Dh and I both almost started crying from the sheer relief of being listened to and understood. He did not act like dh's symptoms were vague or imaginary...he nailed it almost instantly...his preliminary diagnosis is Viremia (I think I spelled that right) and severe gastroparesis. He doesn't think it is the gall bladder but ordered a Hidda scan to rule it out and will be doing a scope to confirm what he believes it is. Dh does have a virus (blood work confirms this ) and the virus sometimes settles in the nerves that control the stomach emptying out into the small intestine. That causes the gastroparesis which can lead to severe and chronic fatigue. It usually goes away when it is caused by a virus. In the meantime he gave dh meds for the extreme fatigue and the nausea. He also listened to me and did not act like I was some intruder (the GP wouldn't allow me in the exam room with dh). It wasn't exactly 'great' news but at least someone is listening to us! Glad you found someone who will listen. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Mono can cause an enlarged spleen, which causes pain. It can take many months to recover from mono. My son had it this past spring. Hope it goes well with your dh. Oh, spleen. I thought it was the liver but NEVER trust my memory. Scarlett, dd12 was suspected to have mono (she did not) but she NEVER got the hang over feeling your dh has. I do sometimes feel like that. If you get any answers, can you please PM me? I am really in need of answers myself. I hope your dh is on the mend SOON! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Edited because I saw the update after a GI spec. I am SO glad you have answers! I have never heard of viremia before. Poor guy! Edited October 24, 2012 by Denisemomof4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I hope you get some answers soon. However, if he doesn't quickly get better, I would be looking elsewhere. I'd be very concerned about an otherwise healthy 45 y.o. with lymph nodes who is unable to get out of bed. I'd be pushing for a biopsy. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Scarlett, I must have missed this. I hope you get answers soon to your husband's medical condition. Could you see a university specialist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Saw the gastro specialist today. I heart him. Dh and I both almost started crying from the sheer relief of being listened to and understood. He did not act like dh's symptoms were vague or imaginary...he nailed it almost instantly...his preliminary diagnosis is Viremia (I think I spelled that right) and severe gastroparesis. He doesn't think it is the gall bladder but ordered a Hidda scan to rule it out and will be doing a scope to confirm what he believes it is. Dh does have a virus (blood work confirms this ) and the virus sometimes settles in the nerves that control the stomach emptying out into the small intestine. That causes the gastroparesis which can lead to severe and chronic fatigue. It usually goes away when it is caused by a virus. In the meantime he gave dh meds for the extreme fatigue and the nausea. He also listened to me and did not act like I was some intruder (the GP wouldn't allow me in the exam room with dh). It wasn't exactly 'great' news but at least someone is listening to us! :grouphug: It can be wonderful to be finally "heard". Yes, while not "great" news, it is great news. I hope you guys get on the road to recovery now. Mono is awful. It can cause secondary issues of the body, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Balaban Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Saw the gastro specialist today. I heart him. Dh and I both almost started crying from the sheer relief of being listened to and understood. He did not act like dh's symptoms were vague or imaginary...he nailed it almost instantly...his preliminary diagnosis is Viremia (I think I spelled that right) and severe gastroparesis. He doesn't think it is the gall bladder but ordered a Hidda scan to rule it out and will be doing a scope to confirm what he believes it is. Dh does have a virus (blood work confirms this ) and the virus sometimes settles in the nerves that control the stomach emptying out into the small intestine. That causes the gastroparesis which can lead to severe and chronic fatigue. It usually goes away when it is caused by a virus. In the meantime he gave dh meds for the extreme fatigue and the nausea. He also listened to me and did not act like I was some intruder (the GP wouldn't allow me in the exam room with dh). It wasn't exactly 'great' news but at least someone is listening to us! :grouphug::grouphug: The listening part is the BEST. I hope the testing goes well and your DH recooperates quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 So glad to see your latest update, Scarlett. It's not "great," but it gets you so much closer to the answers you need. Hang in there! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 I hope you get some answers soon. However, if he doesn't quickly get better, I would be looking elsewhere. I'd be very concerned about an otherwise healthy 45 y.o. with lymph nodes who is unable to get out of bed. I'd be pushing for a biopsy. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Bioposy of what? :confused: The swollen lymph nodes are in line with his low white blood count which apparently means he has a virus which in turn leads this gastro doc to believe it is gastroparesis. The severe fatigue is a secondary issue brought on by months of being sick (it has been going on for over a year but he became really really sick in September). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 If his pain is in the right upper quadrant, I would strongly recommend looking at his liver and pancreas. It's a very small chance that there is something seriously involved with either one of these, but since the liver filters toxins, if it's not filtering properly that could cause him to have fatigue and the hangover feeling. I'd definitley check the pancreas too since these organs are related and serious pancreatic issues can present slowly and vaguely. :grouphug: to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Just read your update, gatroparesis makes sense, but I would still be sure they checked his liver and pancreas. Surely they've done liver function tests by now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Just read your update, gatroparesis makes sense, but I would still be sure they checked his liver and pancreas. Surely they've done liver function tests by now though. I just read over the report for his gall bladder ultrasound and they said his liver was normal. It also said they couldn't get a read on his pancreas due to technical issues. What the heck! Anyway, the specialist saw that report and ordered a Hidda scan...which is a nuclear med study of his gall bladder...but the doctor doesn't believe it is the gall bladder... That GP delayed all of this by so much...makes me so irritated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Liver abnormalities wouldn't necessarily show up on ultrasound, he would need at the least a blood test that contained liver functions. Pancreatic enzymes could be tested through a blood test too: lipase and amylase levels that if increased could indicate pancreatitis, but pancreatitis would likely have an increased WBC count which it doesn't sound like your husband has. A CT or MRI (Not sure which would be best, but the MD would know) would show things like pancreatic cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I REALLY hope things start looking up quick. That sounds just terrible. Great that you have a good doctor now. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Liver abnormalities wouldn't necessarily show up on ultrasound, he would need at the least a blood test that contained liver functions. Pancreatic enzymes could be tested through a blood test too: lipase and amylase levels that if increased could indicate pancreatitis, but pancreatitis would likely have an increased WBC count which it doesn't sound like your husband has. A CT or MRI (Not sure which would be best, but the MD would know) would show things like pancreatic cancer. Ok. I see. Well, this specialist seems to be on the ball...he was very helpful, good people skills....ordered tests immediately...I am hopeful we have good results soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I hope you get answers very soon. It sucks when you are looking forward to doctor appointments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Bioposy of what? PMd you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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