Karen,
I was just reading your story and like you I had mono. I thought it was just a kissing disease. Is there any way that mononuclosis could be linked with fibromyalgia? This would be an interesting concept if they could come up with a direct connection for and with fibro and mono. I was 28 or 29 when I got mono and have had lots of lost energy and constant pain. I had even gotten to the point that I was afraid to even lie down on a bed or sofa for the simple fear of not being able to get up on my own. I generally had to have help in sitting up. Once I was up I was fine but then easily became so exhausted that I thought I was going to explode. I am now 53 and sometimes still have a problem with sitting up from a lying down position. I sleep with a pillow in between my legs to get relief from the back pain and then I play cold turkey in trying to get up and around. thanks. bufferjet
Hi bufferjet,
I used to wonder whether there could be a mono-FM connection, too, since I knew of others whose FM had started following a bout with mono. Actually, FM is a central nervous system problem that is usually triggered by some kind of trauma to the body – whether it be an illness like mono or an injury like an auto accident.
Several years ago it was thought that the Epstein-Barr virus, which is responsible for mono, might also be the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, which has many similarities to fibromyalgia. However, they soon proved that was not the case, although as with FM, many cases of ME/CFS do start with mono.
I suspect what happens is that since mono takes such a toll on the body, if someone has a genetic predisposition to one of these illnesses, mono can tip the scales.
Best,
Karen
Karen,
Here is another question for you. I was talking to my mother and she had told me that she was also informed that a childhood disease such as the mumps is also connected to FM. Is there any truth to this? I am not trying to second guess my mom, but I would like to know if there is a connection to FM as well. Thanks bufferjet
Interesting question. I hadn't heard that so I've done some searching. So far the only thing I've found is one natural food store site that makes the statement, "...most Fibromyalgics have had severe cases of mumps, measles and/or mononucleosis as children." However, there was no evidence or research given to back up the statement. I'll let you know if I find anything else on it.
Karen
Ok. Thanks and I will keep looking myself.