Having a very hard time with DS going off to college

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I can't take it anymore!!! DD just called and she has ANOTHER fever, headache, swollen glands, and is achy. These are the exact same symptoms she had two weeks ago. Why is this happening to her? I'm so worried! She is going to come home tomorrow. I really don't want her driving if she feels like crap, but she doesn't want me driving that far. I told her to call when she wakes up in the morning (afternoon) and we will see how she feels. I'm going to make an appointment with our doctor for Friday. What could this be? I want her tested for mono. Why would a perfectly healthy kid suddenly start having fevers? I don't think she has had a fever since she was like 10. Ugh! I'm not going to sleep tonight.

Yup I'd be getting her home and to the doctor.

 

[mom2rtk]

I can't take it anymore!!! DD just called and she has ANOTHER fever, headache, swollen glands, and is achy. These are the exact same symptoms she had two weeks ago. Why is this happening to her? I'm so worried! She is going to come home tomorrow. I really don't want her driving if she feels like crap, but she doesn't want me driving that far. I told her to call when she wakes up in the morning (afternoon) and we will see how she feels. I'm going to make an appointment with our doctor for Friday. What could this be? I want her tested for mono. Why would a perfectly healthy kid suddenly start having fevers? I don't think she has had a fever since she was like 10. Ugh! I'm not going to sleep tonight.

I don't remember. Did she have strep before? If she did, maybe she didn't change out her toothbrush or something? Your plan sounds wise though. See how she's feeling, decide if she can make the drive, then get her to the doctor.

I was just contemplating how to get my DS to get a flu shot. I'm going to remind him how crummy it was to try and stay up to date in class when you are sick. Your post just gave me the confidence to push a little harder. It was awful knowing he was sick so far from home with so much work to do.

Keep us posted on how she is doing. At least it's not finals week or something, and you can get her to a doctor.

 

[cabanafrau]

I can't take it anymore!!! DD just called and she has ANOTHER fever, headache, swollen glands, and is achy. These are the exact same symptoms she had two weeks ago. Why is this happening to her? I'm so worried! She is going to come home tomorrow. I really don't want her driving if she feels like crap, but she doesn't want me driving that far. I told her to call when she wakes up in the morning (afternoon) and we will see how she feels. I'm going to make an appointment with our doctor for Friday. What could this be? I want her tested for mono. Why would a perfectly healthy kid suddenly start having fevers? I don't think she has had a fever since she was like 10. Ugh! I'm not going to sleep tonight.

Saw an old friend a couple weeks ago and her youngest DD who is also a college sophomore was just rebounding from a case of mono. Have no idea how she managed to be recovering in 2-1/2 weeks and missed only one class, but it was rough. It took time to discover it was mono because she largely presented as horrible back pain, no sore throat or other typical mono symptoms for quite a while. They actually sent her to the ER for xray because they thought it was kidney stones. Scary.

 

[PlutoPony]

I was just contemplating how to get my DS to get a flu shot. I'm going to remind him how crummy it was to try and stay up to date in class when you are sick. Your post just gave me the confidence to push a little harder. It was awful knowing he was sick so far from home with so much work to do.

Yeah, I was thinking about the flu shot as well. The odds that he'll get it on his own are pretty close to 0. He's having trouble getting around to going in for his monthly B12 shots so think it's a good bet the flu shot will be in the same category.

Guess we need to find a place to get it here at home when he's here at Thanksgiving. If we do it early in the week, that gives time for any reaction or low grade flu to come and go before he goes back.

Thanks for motivating me to make a few calls

 

[LisaR]

I don't remember. Did she have strep before? If she did, maybe she didn't change out her toothbrush or something? Your plan sounds wise though. See how she's feeling, decide if she can make the drive, then get her to the doctor.

I was just contemplating how to get my DS to get a flu shot. I'm going to remind him how crummy it was to try and stay up to date in class when you are sick. Your post just gave me the confidence to push a little harder. It was awful knowing he was sick so far from home with so much work to do.

Keep us posted on how she is doing. At least it's not finals week or something, and you can get her to a doctor.

I don't think she had strep, although the doctor did say it "could" be that or it "could" be the flu. They didn't test for either. She had her flu shot a month ago. She insists the flu shot (which she didn't want to get) is the cause of this.

Last time she had white patches in her throat which is why the doctor said possible strep, but those patches are typical in mono. Also, if you treat mono with antibiotics, a rash is likely to develop which is exactly what happened to DD. They assumed it was an allergy to penicillin, but now I am wondering.

No word from DD yet. I know she is sleeping. I just hope she slept well. Last time she had this she said she was up all night either boiling hot or freezing. I told her AGAIN about piggybacking Tylenol and Advil and she promised to do that if needed this time.

The not knowing is going to kill me!!

Thanks everyone for listening to me freak AGAIN! Kids!

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think she had strep, although the doctor did say it "could" be that or it "could" be the flu. They didn't test for either. She had her flu shot a month ago. She insists the flu shot (which she didn't want to get) is the cause of this.

Last time she had white patches in her throat which is why the doctor said possible strep, but those patches are typical in mono. Also, if you treat mono with antibiotics, a rash is likely to develop which is exactly what happened to DD. They assumed it was an allergy to penicillin, but now I am wondering.

No word from DD yet. I know she is sleeping. I just hope she slept well. Last time she had this she said she was up all night either boiling hot or freezing. I told her AGAIN about piggybacking Tylenol and Advil and she promised to do that if needed this time.

The not knowing is going to kill me!!

Thanks everyone for listening to me freak AGAIN! Kids!

Yeah, definitely time to get her to a doctor. And probably with mom in the room asking some questions too. Sorry if this offends the "they are adults, stay out of their business" crowd.

I hope you get it figured out. Is there a test for mono? Or is it a diagnosis of exclusion?

Your post made me call and make an appointment for my DS to get a physical in December when he gets home. Our insurance changed and his old doctor isn't in the new network so I wouldn't even have somewhere to take him if he got sick. They said they'd do the flu shot then. Better late than never I suppose.

Thanks for giving me the reminder this morning to make the appointment.

Keep us posted on how your DD is doing. I hope you get it figured out and she's on the mend quickly.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yeah, I was thinking about the flu shot as well. The odds that he'll get it on his own are pretty close to 0. He's having trouble getting around to going in for his monthly B12 shots so think it's a good bet the flu shot will be in the same category.

Guess we need to find a place to get it here at home when he's here at Thanksgiving. If we do it early in the week, that gives time for any reaction or low grade flu to come and go before he goes back.

Thanks for motivating me to make a few calls

Can't he get the flu shot where he gets is B12 injections? I guess that would be too easy. And I'm sure they would give my son a flu shot in the student health center. But I'm also pretty sure that's not happening if he doesn't show up there and ask for one!

 

[LisaR]

Yeah, definitely time to get her to a doctor. And probably with mom in the room asking some questions too. Sorry if this offends the "they are adults, stay out of their business" crowd.

I hope you get it figured out. Is there a test for mono? Or is it a diagnosis of exclusion?

Your post made me call and make an appointment for my DS to get a physical in December when he gets home. Our insurance changed and his old doctor isn't in the new network so I wouldn't even have somewhere to take him if he got sick. They said they'd do the flu shot then. Better late than never I suppose.

Thanks for giving me the reminder this morning to make the appointment.

Keep us posted on how your DD is doing. I hope you get it figured out and she's on the mend quickly.

I'd like to see someone try and keep me out of that room tomorrow with the doctor!

There is a blood test for mono, but with the holiday we won't have any answers until Tuesday, I'm guessing.

Glad this motivated you to get the appointment made for your son!!

 

[PlutoPony]

Can't he get the flu shot where he gets is B12 injections? I guess that would be too easy.

Got it in one
Add in that he doesn't think he needs a flu shot (but knows he needs the B12) and i'm pretty sure flu shot isn't going to happen on its own.

LisaR - Could your daughter get the mono test at school today and they then send the results to your family doc? Would that give your doc some real data to work with tomorrow or does it take longer than overnite for mono test results? Hope she feels better today!

 

[mom2rtk]

Got it in one
Add in that he doesn't think he needs a flu shot (but knows he needs the B12) and i'm pretty sure flu shot isn't going to happen on its own.

Yeah. My boys haven't had flu shots in years. They don't think they need them either. I would be totally out of luck trying to get the one away at school to get one if he hadn't been sick for so long earlier in the semester. I think that has him on board with avoiding other illnesses where possible.

I only get my daughter to go because I tell her I won't take a chance on a Disney trip in the height of flu season without one. But the boys don't want Disney OR a flu shot!

 

[marcyinPA]

Awe! This made my day.



Didn't you say he met with his advisor? I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Deep breath. This last semester my son didn't have a class he wanted and that is hard to get into but he needed it for his specialization. After classes were scheduled and the college adjusted and added more classes my son was able to get the class he wanted. So it's not the end of the world. Just a relief when they do get what they want first shot.

Best of luck to all our kiddos.

He did meet with his adviser. But he is also changing his major. His adviser is a Psych department adviser. Although, DS still needs gen eds and that is what he will be registering for. I just wonder if he should be taking something more specific to communications for a gen ed? Like, are some choices better than others? He has not met with the communications department yet, so he doesn't really know.

I'm sure he will be OK- I just worry....

 

[marcyinPA]

I don't remember. Did she have strep before? If she did, maybe she didn't change out her toothbrush or something? Your plan sounds wise though. See how she's feeling, decide if she can make the drive, then get her to the doctor.

I was just contemplating how to get my DS to get a flu shot. I'm going to remind him how crummy it was to try and stay up to date in class when you are sick. Your post just gave me the confidence to push a little harder. It was awful knowing he was sick so far from home with so much work to do.

Keep us posted on how she is doing. At least it's not finals week or something, and you can get her to a doctor.

They were giving flu shots for $10 on campus, but DS missed the opportunity. I made an appointment for both of us on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at our doctors office. We all get flu shots every year (except DH-) and I don't want the one year he doesn't get one to be his first year of college! ETA: it was always really easy for my kids to get the flu vaccine before. Our school district gives the nasal mist in school with parental permission. Just sign a form, and the health bureau comes to each school- and done! No appointment, no fee. That is how DS14 got his already

 

[nancygirl1]

I don't think she had strep, although the doctor did say it "could" be that or it "could" be the flu. They didn't test for either. She had her flu shot a month ago. She insists the flu shot (which she didn't want to get) is the cause of this.

Last time she had white patches in her throat which is why the doctor said possible strep, but those patches are typical in mono. Also, if you treat mono with antibiotics, a rash is likely to develop which is exactly what happened to DD. They assumed it was an allergy to penicillin, but now I am wondering.

No word from DD yet. I know she is sleeping. I just hope she slept well. Last time she had this she said she was up all night either boiling hot or freezing. I told her AGAIN about piggybacking Tylenol and Advil and she promised to do that if needed this time.

The not knowing is going to kill me!!

Thanks everyone for listening to me freak AGAIN! Kids!

My oldest had mono when he was in middle school. He came in contact with someone at camp who had it. He had a lot of the same symptoms as your daughter. He had a really high fever, the chills, a headache, very tired and couldn't even lift his head from his pillow he was so weak. Not everyone has such extreme symptoms, but it does sound like a possibility with your daughter.

 

[clh2]

UGHH.

DD called at 2:30 am. She thinks that her boyfriend wants to break up with her. Oh - and he had been drinking and threw up on her "1-week old shoes" that we purchased for DD when we were in town for parent's weekend.

I'm not sure what upset DD more:

1. that her shoes got ruined. (And right now -DH and I are in a very odd financial situation, so I totally understand that she will need a new pair of shoes - and I think DD is upset about needing the money "again".) Her "old" shoes had holes in them, and she felt bad about needing new shoes last weekend.

2. that she walked home from her BF's dorm WITH NO SHOES ON. (I'm not a barefoot kind of girl - so this one just grosses me out.)

3. that the BF might be breaking up with her.

Well - we've always told DD that the computer help desk closes at 9:30 pm, however, the mom/dad help desk is open 24/7.

Parenting - it is a life-long commitment

 

[SydSim]

I don't think she had strep, although the doctor did say it "could" be that or it "could" be the flu. They didn't test for either. She had her flu shot a month ago. She insists the flu shot (which she didn't want to get) is the cause of this.

Last time she had white patches in her throat which is why the doctor said possible strep, but those patches are typical in mono. Also, if you treat mono with antibiotics, a rash is likely to develop which is exactly what happened to DD. They assumed it was an allergy to penicillin, but now I am wondering.

No word from DD yet. I know she is sleeping. I just hope she slept well. Last time she had this she said she was up all night either boiling hot or freezing. I told her AGAIN about piggybacking Tylenol and Advil and she promised to do that if needed this time.

The not knowing is going to kill me!!


Thanks everyone for listening to me freak AGAIN! Kids!

Ok, let me tell you our experience. DD had mono in fall of freshmen year and fall of junior year. Guess what......both after she got the flu shot. Sophomore year, I somehow missed having her get it and guess what.....no mono.

Now in my unprofessional opinion, the mono virus (Epstein-Barr virus) was already there, lying dormant, and receiving the flu vaccine triggered a response, which activated the mono and she started having symptoms.

I don't have documented proof of my theory, but unfortunately for now, she won't be getting the flu vaccine anytime soon. I do worry about her when she goes off to college next year though.

 

[mom2rtk]

Lisa, any updates on your daughter? I hope she's home safe and sound and that you got some answers.

They were giving flu shots for $10 on campus, but DS missed the opportunity. I made an appointment for both of us on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at our doctors office. We all get flu shots every year (except DH-) and I don't want the one year he doesn't get one to be his first year of college! ETA: it was always really easy for my kids to get the flu vaccine before. Our school district gives the nasal mist in school with parental permission. Just sign a form, and the health bureau comes to each school- and done! No appointment, no fee. That is how DS14 got his already

I'd love if our schools would do this. I remember as a child lining up to get our immunizations in front of all our classmates. No nasal mist back then. They used a big pneumatic gun. Or at least it looked really big. I guess it got my attention enough that it's one of only a few specific memories I have of those early grades. I break that story out every time one of the kids complains about getting a shot in the privacy of the doctor's office.

I do know in high school they will give the shots in the nurse's office (huge time saver when it was tetanus booster time!) but they call the kids down and bring them back one at a time. Last time they did that I forgot it was happening that day, and called school when I remembered. They let me run his permission form up there and they called him down without prior warning from me. He told me when he got home that he and a bunch of others had been laughing at each person leaving to get a shot. Then they surprised him by calling his name! Oopsie. Good thing he's pretty easy going.

UGHH.

DD called at 2:30 am. She thinks that her boyfriend wants to break up with her. Oh - and he had been drinking and threw up on her "1-week old shoes" that we purchased for DD when we were in town for parent's weekend.

I'm not sure what upset DD more:

1. that her shoes got ruined. (And right now -DH and I are in a very odd financial situation, so I totally understand that she will need a new pair of shoes - and I think DD is upset about needing the money "again".) Her "old" shoes had holes in them, and she felt bad about needing new shoes last weekend.

2. that she walked home from her BF's dorm WITH NO SHOES ON. (I'm not a barefoot kind of girl - so this one just grosses me out.)

3. that the BF might be breaking up with her.

Well - we've always told DD that the computer help desk closes at 9:30 pm, however, the mom/dad help desk is open 24/7.

Parenting - it is a life-long commitment

Poor thing. I'm so sorry she's dealing with this. I hope she finds new shoes she loves and that her heart mends quickly.

 

[LisaR]

Lisa, any updates on your daughter? I hope she's home safe and sound and that you got some answers.

No answers at all which just makes it more frustrating. Mono, strep, and flu all came back negative. She had a full panel blood work up done, but those results won't be back until Monday. Honestly, I doubt they will show anything more than a viral infection. She feels better, and is "only" spiking a temperature once a day and it isn't very high. I'm trying my best not to worry. Not easy!

 

[LisaR]

UGHH.

DD called at 2:30 am. She thinks that her boyfriend wants to break up with her. Oh - and he had been drinking and threw up on her "1-week old shoes" that we purchased for DD when we were in town for parent's weekend.

I'm not sure what upset DD more:

1. that her shoes got ruined. (And right now -DH and I are in a very odd financial situation, so I totally understand that she will need a new pair of shoes - and I think DD is upset about needing the money "again".) Her "old" shoes had holes in them, and she felt bad about needing new shoes last weekend.

2. that she walked home from her BF's dorm WITH NO SHOES ON. (I'm not a barefoot kind of girl - so this one just grosses me out.)

3. that the BF might be breaking up with her.

Well - we've always told DD that the computer help desk closes at 9:30 pm, however, the mom/dad help desk is open 24/7.

Parenting - it is a life-long commitment

Awww! Your poor DD. Hope this resolves quickly.

Ok, let me tell you our experience. DD had mono in fall of freshmen year and fall of junior year. Guess what......both after she got the flu shot. Sophomore year, I somehow missed having her get it and guess what.....no mono.

Now in my unprofessional opinion, the mono virus (Epstein-Barr virus) was already there, lying dormant, and receiving the flu vaccine triggered a response, which activated the mono and she started having symptoms.

I don't have documented proof of my theory, but unfortunately for now, she won't be getting the flu vaccine anytime soon. I do worry about her when she goes off to college next year though.

DD tested negative for mono, but she is still 100% convinced the flu shot is to blame for her mystery illnesses. It couldn't possibly be her lack of sleep and not eating healthy. This is only the second flu shot she has ever gotten and she swears it is her last.

 

[marcyinPA]

UGHH.

DD called at 2:30 am. She thinks that her boyfriend wants to break up with her. Oh - and he had been drinking and threw up on her "1-week old shoes" that we purchased for DD when we were in town for parent's weekend.

I'm not sure what upset DD more:

1. that her shoes got ruined. (And right now -DH and I are in a very odd financial situation, so I totally understand that she will need a new pair of shoes - and I think DD is upset about needing the money "again".) Her "old" shoes had holes in them, and she felt bad about needing new shoes last weekend.

2. that she walked home from her BF's dorm WITH NO SHOES ON. (I'm not a barefoot kind of girl - so this one just grosses me out.)

3. that the BF might be breaking up with her.

Well - we've always told DD that the computer help desk closes at 9:30 pm, however, the mom/dad help desk is open 24/7.

Parenting - it is a life-long commitment

I am so sorry!! This is one of the harder things I've seen my DS through this year too. It is so hard to comfort them from a distance when they are broken hearted. My DS is still dealing with his break up- it wasn't a clean break, unfortunately. I pray that your daughter is ok through it all.

 

[marcyinPA]

No answers at all which just makes it more frustrating. Mono, strep, and flu all came back negative. She had a full panel blood work up done, but those results won't be back until Monday. Honestly, I doubt they will show anything more than a viral infection. She feels better, and is "only" spiking a temperature once a day and it isn't very high. I'm trying my best not to worry. Not easy!

Ugh. Having no answers is so stressful. Prayers for healing and good health soon!!!