Okay so I finally took sometime off yesterday to go to the doctor to find out why I am having such horriable back pain that radiates around and makes my face bright red. Also to find out why the whites of my eyes have been turning red for days on end for weeks now.

I figured I was just tired from working 2 jobs and kids and the stress my marriage has been bring. It turns out that I have Mono and that even though I had my gall bladder removed 3 years ago, there are still stones stuck in there and that I will most likely need surgery to get them removed.

Okay my question- what do I do to get this mono to go away as my Doctor said nothing other then to rest- so I am off of my second job for 2 weeks (for those who know me- that majorly bums me out). What else do I do? I want to drink coffee to mask the tired feeling- it worked for weeks now, why stop?

Also the Doctor prescribed me Percacet for my back pain and said to go see a surgon on Monday- can someone please tell my how I would still have gullstones and how they will get them- the Doctor said it was an unpleasent experience but wanted a surgon to better explain (Lemonman- that is your cue <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> )

I know this is not a medical site- but I have grown to trust you all and thought I would try for your insight. Thanks

<small>[ January 15, 2005, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: KMEJ ]</small>

I'm sorry that you aren't feeling well and that you have gall stones. I've never heard of having them after the gall bladder has been removed. Maybe when they were removing your gallbladder the stones were left behind?

I "was" in nursing school, before my meltdown, so I know a little about the medical stuff (Not enough to advise you). I hope they can get to the stones laparoscopically.

I hope the pain meds help with your back pain, just be careful driving/operating machinery while.

God Bless, and hope you get well soon,

-Caren

Thanks for chimeing in Caren.

Yeah they think when they took out the gullbladder that some stones were left behind nand are now causeing me pain.

I do not plan on going anywhere today- however today is my youngest sons 2nd birthday and I feel bad because we had the whole day planned, and now my H is at work and they are stuck home with me. What a sucky birthday I am giving my son.

DO you know if it would be okay if I drank some coffee so that I could feel semi human? I slept for 10 hours last night and I feel I haven't slept in days.

also what do I do to get this mono to go away?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Okay my question- what do I do to get this mono to go away as my Doctor said nothing other then to rest- </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">That's correct. Tincture of time. Rest. Avoid rough-house play. If your symptoms suddenly worsen dramatically, return to the Doc immediately. (Like if your start to pee urine that resembles ice tea)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I want to drink coffee to mask the tired feeling- it worked for weeks now, why stop?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Because there is no nutritional value in coffee. Eat very healthy with foods containing lots of vitamins. Drink lots of water to help your kidneys deal with your illness. One or two small coffees is fine. But "less is more" as far as caffeine goes.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> can someone please tell my how I would still have gullstones and how they will get them- the </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Did you have an ultrasound?

Pep

<small>[ January 15, 2005, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

The Doctor did not do an ultrasound, but with how I discribed the back pain and when he pushed down and let go in certain spots the pain was unreal. That is what he believes it is. I will go see a surgon soon.

Really all I can do is rest? Is it contagous? Can I take my kids out for my sons birthday?

I'm no dr. but I had ono -I was told it is not contagious (sp) you do need to rest it will go away, take your son out just limit your time out.Take care of yourself -be careful of the stones they are painful -I know....

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by KMEJ:
<strong> The Doctor did not do an ultrasound, but with how I discribed the back pain and when he pushed down and let go in certain spots the pain was unreal. That is what he believes it is. I will go see a surgon soon.

Really all I can do is rest? Is it contagous? Can I take my kids out for my sons birthday? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes, the virus is passed via saliva. Hence the nic "kissing disease". But it's saliva that carries the virus, not just kissing by its self.

Mono can occasionally be very serious, causing the spleen to enlarge. This is why I am concerned that you are having so much back pain. Did your Doc say anything to you about your spleen? Did he/she do blood tests?

Pep

<small>[ January 15, 2005, 10:42 AM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

He did take blood tests- he had to do it twice because the first tests brought up new concerns so he drew more. It was Friday night at 4:45 when I was seen, he was in a hurry to be done with me you could tell. I was so out of it yesterday I do not remember much other then being very cold and in pain. I wish I had more details to give you.
The one thing I remember him saying over and over is if the pack pain did not lesson with the percacet to go to the ER right away. So far I am doing okay.

Any symptoms I should be looking for?

Know a bit about this becasue I had to nurse Aussie for some time as he had malaria & mono or as its known in Australia Glandular fever....about 4 years after we were married.... so I had 2 babies and big baby to look after and yes he was worse than the 2 babies.

Info courtesy of John Murtagh, Professor of General Practice Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

What is glandular fever?

Glandular fever (properly known as infectious mononucleosis) is a viral infection that causes an illness similar to influenza. It is sometimes called 'the kissing disease' because it was thought to be passed from one person to another through the mouth. The virus spreads through the bloodstream and the lymphatic system, causing the spleen, liver and lymph glands to swell as well as causing a fever (hence the term 'glandular fever').



What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are similar to those of the flu: fever, headache, blocked nose, nausea, mouth breathing, sore throat (you may have tonsillitis) and a general sense of feeling 'out of sorts'. The patient may be aware of having swollen, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, armpits and groin. Less common symptoms include a rash and jaundice.

How is it diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose the illness is for a blood test to be done. The blood shows abnormal cells (called monocytes) under the microscope, hence the name mononucleosis.

How long does it last?

The major symptoms usually disappear within 2 or 3 weeks, but for a further period of at least 2 weeks you may feel weak, lacking in energy and depressed. Occasionally the lethargy can last for months.

How common is the problem?

It is probably more common than realised, because many cases are mild and pass unnoticed or are simply mistaken for a mild attack of influenza. This applies particularly to children. Children and young adults are those most likely to catch the virus, but the disease is usually seen in the 15 to 25-year-old age group.

What are the risks?

It is not a dangerous disease, but can make you feel extremely sick if it causes hepatitis. You may have a relapse during the course of the first year after contracting it. However, it eventually settles completely and the body returns to normal.

What is the treatment?

Because glandular fever is a viral infection, antibiotics will not help. The illness must simply run its course.

Advice

Do:

Take aspirin or paracetamol (in modest doses) to relieve discomfort or pain.
Rest (the best treatment), preferably at home and indoors.
Drink plenty of fluids such as water and fruit juices.
Gargle soluble aspirin or 30 per cent glucose to soothe the throat.

Do not:

Drink alcohol or eat fatty foods.
Push yourself to perform tasks.
Attempt to return to your normal daily routine until advised to do so by your doctor (about 4 weeks after the illness starts).
Finally, it is common to feel depressed during the illness and in the recovery phase because you may feel tired and lethargic. Report any such problems to your doctor.

SO young lady....LOOK AFTER YOURSELF ok <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> ??

Sick Mummies need some tender care print & give this to H so he knows.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

When I told H I was sick he came home from work- I did not ask him to as his mother was here playing with the kids- however the sympathy did not last long as this morning who had to make the kids breakfast while someone played on the computer until they left for work/. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Thank you for the information- much appriciated.

I think I am getting ready for a nap.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by KMEJ:
<strong>

It turns out that I have Mono and that even though I had my gall bladder removed 3 years ago, there are still stones stuck in there and that I will most likely need surgery to get them removed.

Okay my question- what do I do to get this mono to go away as my Doctor said nothing other then to rest- so I am off of my second job for 2 weeks (for those who know me- that majorly bums me out). What else do I do? I want to drink coffee to mask the tired feeling- it worked for weeks now, why stop?

Also the Doctor prescribed me Percacet for my back pain and said to go see a surgon on Monday- can someone please tell my how I would still have gullstones and how they will get them- the Doctor said it was an unpleasent experience but wanted a surgon to better explain (Lemonman- that is your cue <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> )

I know this is not a medical site- but I have grown to trust you all and thought I would try for your insight. Thanks </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Well, I suspect when you had your gallbladder removed 3 years ago, there were retained stones in your common bile duct, which were not seen and removed. Your common bile duct is tube which connects the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder to your small intestines. You need certain enzymes for digestion, and this is how your stomach gets them from the food you eat. Unfortunately, even after your gall bladder has been taken out, stones can still be retained in your bile duct. Sometimes new stones form and create a new duct in your system, but likely these stones you have were left over from your previous surgery and were missed. Up to 5% of people with gall baldder reovals have gall stone attacks in futre years. I think an ultrasound is probably in order now to start. You can have these (stones) removed by a procedure called an ERCP. Here we put a tube down your esophagus into your stomach and then into biliary system. We can then inject a dye to opacify these vessels and see if/where you have stones. Often times we can snare the stones with a ballon tip or drain from the end of the scope and do not need to do an open laparatomy procedure. I hope this helps. Please go see an experienced surgeon about this and to discuss your other options.

The mono issue may takes weeks to resolve. The only cure is rest. It may take longer than you think to get your energy back. I have seen it take months.

Well, I hope this helps. I am on call this weekend and will not be posting much.

Goodluck.

LM

I'm sorry you are sick!

I had mono years ago and it took me a very long time to get over the critical stage of it (lethargy, tenderness to spleen, etc). I was misdiagnosed with other things a couple times and it was pretty bad when a doctor finally did a test for it (he had it once himself and it dawned on him that was what I was dealing with)
It was so long ago....I don't recall what medication I took to help me over the hump.
I do remember once sleeping for 24 hrs straight and being disoriented!

So.....ask your doctor for advice about dealing with it and REST whenever possible.

Sounds appealing! Thanks for the information. Sorry to make you work on these boards. I do appriciate the knowledge- sorry I misspelled the word surgeon (did I get it right this time?)

Looking forward to Sunday still!! I will be thinking of you- since you are on call does that mean you do not get to watch the game?

Is abdominal pain that makes me dizzy and want to throw up par for the course, or should I find myself a doctor?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">PS Stan....

Go look at KMJE's post about her medical dilemma for a minute. Tell me what you think.

Pep
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Pep:

From KMJ post it seems she did not have any imaging study recently.-- so we don’t know for sure if she has stones.

It looks like she has back pain, ? belly pain, a positive mono spot . I have to assume her doc saw a high bilirubin or elevated liver enzymes and that is why he thinks she could have a stone in the common bile duct. However, there is something called mono-hepatitis which can cause elevated bilirubin and abnormal LFTs. I like to think that it is always best to explain the patient’s symptoms with just one illness rather than with two.

The Percocet Rx is a little overkill. I would have obtain an Sono to see if there is any dilatation of the biliary tree.

I agree, rest is the only treatment for mono.

I also agree with the idea that a rupture spleen can be a rare but potentially fatal complication. If she does not get better she might as well get a CT of the abdomen and a 2nd lab work to see where her bili and LFTs are going.

rofl, no offense KMEJ, but only on MB. This thread has a certain amount of humor, twisted into it.. it's probably already up to about $15k in consultation and analysis fees. You should probably inform your husband that you currently hae 2 $15 co-pays due at the website for this thread, and that he can expect a good 4-5 more of them before this is all said and done.

BTW, I would follow that up by then disconnecting the power-supply wires on the inside of the computer, and tell him you are headed up to your room to get your rest, See you in two weeks, and he had better take care of the kids before he fixes the computer.

I hope the doc check the urine for blood to make sure she is not passing a kidney stone.

I checked my lab results this morning, and was told that nothing showed up except the mono. So now I am awaiting to hear what they want to do next- the surgeon said that he can see me either today at 9- or tomorrow after I have a Ultrasound and something else. They are thinking the back pain is due to the mono. However my new question is this- my urine is now a nice brownish color (gross really) and I was wondering if that has anything to do with the percocet. I will add another $15.00 co-pay <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

If liver enzymes and bilirubin are normal a stone is less likely.

Rusty colored urine may be seen with hematuria which is commonly seen with kidney stones.

Dark urine can also be seen by passing direct bilirubin in the urine, but that is not likely if blood work was normal.

Did you have a urinalysis?

<small>[ January 17, 2005, 08:55 AM: Message edited by: Stan-ley ]</small>