Need Advice Daughter with Mono

[G-Duck]

My Daughter became ill last Wednesday night and was diagnosed with Mononucleosis Saturday. The Dr said there is no cure just time. The problem is we are scheduled to go to WDW on 11/22 and I have to make a decision by the weekend if we are going or not. How long will the fatigue last once the symptoms are gone? Does anyone have any advice? We definitely need some magic.

 

[chappellfamily]

I've had Mono and it was not fun! You usually have it for weeks before they can determine a diagnosis. I was given a large dose of steroids and that made me feel somewhat better. It will take months to regain all your strength, but I think if you take it easy she will be fine on your trip.

A trip to Disney will make anyone feel better!

 

[goofyboyzmom]

How old is your daughter? Old enough to tell you how she feels at all times? If she is old enough to be dependable in letting you know what is going on with her, I would go. You may need to sleep in or have earlier nights, or a good suggestion to preserve strength might be to use a wheelchair. Also, when my nephew was diagnosed with it, he had/has to be careful of his spleen, so I would definitely find out about that from your doctor especially in regards to some of the rougher rides. Sending you lots of and hope she feels better soon.

 

[candielips]

I have had mono when I was 13, 16 yrs ago, and it is horrible! I still remember it.
1) You are soooo physically exhausted it is hard to find the energy to get up and use the bathroom, seriously. The steroids just gave me enough energy to do that. Even on the steroids I slept at least 18 hrs a day.
2) You get the worst sore throat you have ever had. Even worse than when I had a tonsillectomy at 16 yrs old! My throat was so sore that I couldn't even swallow my own saliva that naturally formed in my mouth. I had to lay with a tissue at the corner of my mouth to sop it up. (sorry to be so graphic)
3) You really have to be careful about rupturing your spleen as it can get very swollen and enlarged.

I had mono for 2 months. It is not something that goes away in a week or 2. I lost over 30 lbs in those 2 mths as well.

If she was my daughter I would cancel the trip. It was one of the worse illnesses I have ever had.

I really hope she feels better soon.

 

[G-Duck]

Thanks, her spleen is ok, Dr checked and it was not enlarged.

 

[zippy doo dah]

I had mono when I was 13 and a another bout of it at 15 (after the 1st time it's called Epstein Barr) and it kicked the crap out of me. I was so physically exhausted for the better part of 3 months that I had to have help going into the bathroom and back to bed and eating...everything seemed to take the life out of me. I could barely handle going to the dr let alone Disney. If it were me, I would reschedule the trip..and as much as it would kill me to do it, I would rather go when everyone would be able to enjoy it. Not to mention, your DD may feel bad (in addition to feeling tired and sick) if she thinks that your time would be less than stellar.

 

[SnowWtch]

I had mono right before my sophomore year of high school. I tried to do too much and wound up relapsing myself into the hospital. Stayed there about a week and made it out even though the doctor said I probably wouldn't. It took me about a year to recover but my immune system is shot now. If you go please take it easy. A wheelchair would be a good option. Remember to stay hydrated as well or it makes things worse.

 

[uprivermama]

From all the replies, you can see that Mono effects everyone a little differently. I had a similar experience as your daughter, in that I had a trip planned to Disneyland about 10 days after finding out I had Mono! I was a teenager, and it was to be an important trip for me, planned for months! I too felt terrible! I distinctly remember actually crying, my throat hurt so much! I asked the nurse who gave me my diagnosis whether it would be ok if I went on the trip, and she said, "you should definitely cancel. You won't enjoy the trip". Well, she was wrong!! I went, kept hydrated, drank echinacea tea (whether it helped with the healing process or not, I don't know, but it sure soothed my throat), and just listened to the way I was feeling. I felt pretty rough the first day or so, but after that, I had no real symptoms! Just a little fatigue. I think you have to judge by how your daughter generally is when ill, meaning, does she get pretty wimpy and whiny (like one of mine ? Or does she get over stuff without too much trouble generally. Your mom instincts are most likely your best source for solving your dilemma! Best wishes for you and your daughter! I hope she feels better soon!

 

[princess&her4princes]

I had mono my first year in college and it was the worse thing ever!! I felt like I was swallowing glass my throat hurt so bad. It takes a lot out of you,for sure. This is a tough choice, go with your Mommy instinct, it's always right! Good luck!!! Hope your DD gets well soon!!!!!!!!!!

 

[candielips]

I just want to quickly add that I am never wimpy or whiny when I am sick, never have been and Mono still knocked me out. I wouldn't use your daughters general threshold for pain as your determination for whether to go or not. Yes mono can affect everyone differently, but for the most part it knocks you out.
Also how long are you going for and how will she see a Dr. down there to keep an eye on her spleen, very important.
Just one note, sorry if I'm offending anyone.

 

[catne]

well, ask her if she feels like going...she may still want to go. And it may work out o.k. if you plan ahead & take it easy. For instance, make sure you build in afternoon naps/rest breaks at the hotel...no commando-touring. And don't plan on 16 hour park days.

Plan of feeding her a constant supply of popsicles, and milkshakes...when my DD had mono several years ago, she lived on popsicles, pop-ices & milkshakes cuz that was about all she could swallow for several days. The cold/frozen stuff really helped the very sore throat.

If you do go, I really advise you rent a wheelchair for her. She will be tired out very easily and it'd be a real bummer to have her run out of energy on the opposite end of the park. She may not like being in a wheelchair, but it will conserve her energy so she can still have some fun.

 

[CinderelliCinderelli]

I bought vacation insurance because I get sick so often and that is with just a cold. I would be miserable going like that! Everyone is different but I would think that she would be tired and not be able to take advantage of everything and you would be worried the whole time that she is ok. Why not reschedule in a few months when everyone is feeling great?

 

[Gitts2008]

I am so sorry that your daughter got sick.

Trust me I know how painful it is to cancel a vacation, we just did it in Oct while at WDW.

If my dd had mono, I would not go. Her body is fighting a serious infection and needs all of the rest that it can get. It would be very scary for her to become serious ill away from home. It would be sad to spend your whole vacation worrying about your DD. WDW is a HAPPY PLACE!!

If you do go, do rent a wheelchair, bring a thermometer, plenty of tylenol and motrin, BeKool (it is a gel patch, good for fevers and sore throats). Have her rest and enjoy.

I hope that she has a speedy recovery. It took me 3 months and my tonsils out at age 20 to feel better when I had mono.

On a side note: Please check with your vacation insurance, if you purchased it. My policy did not cover illnesses that were contracted BEFORE we left. Meaning if my DD was sick before we left and we went anyway, they would not cover any expenses or emergency costs. I am still fighting them even thought she got sick after being there for one day, not before we left.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

G-Duck, just looking for an update as to whether or not you decided to go after all. If so, did you have a good trip? How did your DD fair out?