Mono

[Guest guest]

I have never been diagnosed with Mono. However, since the

thread is discussing viral infection as impacting the immune system,

I can relate to that. I had many childhood contagious diseases and

Scarlet Fever.

Since then, I have had countless infections and allergies. I

have Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis,Major Recurring

Depression,A.D.D/H.D.,and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Several

cooperating drs agreed about these.

I remember hearing,as a child, that Scarlet Fever and

Rheumatic Fever were similar in that they could affect other health

problems later in life.

I also was told, about 20 years ago, that Fibro and Lupus

were sister diseases.The difference,they said, was that FMS can't

kill you,it " just makes you feel that way " .

A dr said that Fibro was a disgusting disease because it

mimics other diseases and people are often misdiagnosed or not

believed after repeated instances. I asked him what I should tell my

Principal( who sent me to that ER ,thinking I was having a possible

heart attack due to severe FMS chest pain that scared my students

when they saw it).He said, " that's what's disgusting about it...people

don't believe it. "

I have found this to be as debilitating as the

disease,itself.Even the Rheumatologist,who dxed my case, later

changed his mind about the legitimacy of FMS as a physical illness.

That was after he became rich and famed as one of the drs who

originated the international definition of FMS.

Thank God I found the drs who are treating me now. The first

dr was a real jerk. Well, I digress,I see. I began this with the

intention of commenting about the viral connection. I can certainly

agree on that.

Also, I have had numerous Strep infections. One went into my

kidneys. I will never forget that one. Anyway, I imagine there are

plenty of you who have similar stories. In my Support Groups I have

met quite a few who had Scarlet Fever as children. Someday there

will be a breakthrough that cannot be refuted and the world will have

to allow us our dignity and credibility where FMS is concerned.