Exercising through mononucleosis?

jvs125
jvs125 Posts: 223 Member
edited November 9 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi!

I was tested for mono 1 month ago, and never heard back so I figured I didn't have it. Got a call this morning, turns out I do have it but there was a long delay at the lab...

I'm currently working out 6 days/week, 3 kettlebell workouts and 3 cardio (mostly spinning, swimming or running).

I can feel the workouts have a negative impact on my condition, as soon after I'm done, my throat gets worse and worse, until I go to sleep. It's not as bad on my day off.

Obviously I need to slow down on my workouts, but exercising is very important for me. It keeps my mood in check, and I'm also going on a beach trip in 3 weeks, so I'd like to be toned!

Can you recommend workouts that might be less drastic on energy expenditure, but that would still help staying toned? I don't want to stop altogether and lose what I worked so hard for!

Thanks!

Replies

  • thisisart1
    thisisart1 Posts: 5 Member
    Wow- I can't believe you have been working out with Mono- I was completely sidelined for a month when I had it!
    I would actually think that resting and recovering would be far more important for your health, but if you feel the need to exercise I would stick to long walks or yoga as they are both low impact but very good for your mind and body.
    Rest is extremely important for any recovery. Good luck!!!
  • jvs125
    jvs125 Posts: 223 Member
    Yeah, I've been very exhausted, but pushing through anyway, since I didn't know that this was what I had. I also have 2 young children, so staying put is never an option - I'm used to pushing through the exhaustion!

    Now that I know better, I want to rest more, but it's really hard to think I won't get my workouts done!
  • WhatMeRunning
    WhatMeRunning Posts: 3,538 Member
    No. Rest. Don't screw around with Mono. Only lots of rest will help. Get healthy, then work out.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    edited January 2015
    You need to worry more about your spleen than your energy expenditure. Seriously, these exercises can be very dangerous during mono. Have you talked to your Dr. about this?
  • jvs125
    jvs125 Posts: 223 Member
    Didn't speak to doctor yet, I just got the call from the nurse. Since the test results were from 1 month ago, she was surprised that I still had symptoms. She said the doc would call me back soon.

    We've all been sick at home in the past month. Both my children had throat/ear infections, DH had a cold... So when I didn't hear back about the mono test, I figured I just had a bad cold that wouldn't go away - seriously everyone around me is sick these days.

    Plus, I already had mono 15 years ago, and I thought it was something you couldn't have twice.

    So I thought it was very unlikely that I had it. So I exercised through it.

    Now that I know what I have, of course I won't be doing the same routine. It's dangerous. I'm lucky I've been fine so far! But I can't imagine doing absolutely nothing. I haven't done absolutely nothing since I was recovering from my c-sections! It's a foreign concept to me. Hey maybe I'll come to like it!

    I guess I'll just eat less for a while.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    PRMinx wrote: »
    You need to worry more about your spleen than your energy expenditure. Seriously, these exercises can be very dangerous during mono. Have you talked to your Dr. about this?

    this.

    you need to follow your doctors advice.

    I wasn't allowed on my horse- due to the fact if I came off with sudden and violent force- meeting the inmovable object known as earth- I could pretty much 'spode my spleen.

    so yeah- don't mess around with it.

    Go for walks- refer to your doctor- I was allowed to do light working out- nothing extremely stressful.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    jvs125 wrote: »
    Didn't speak to doctor yet, I just got the call from the nurse. Since the test results were from 1 month ago, she was surprised that I still had symptoms. She said the doc would call me back soon.

    We've all been sick at home in the past month. Both my children had throat/ear infections, DH had a cold... So when I didn't hear back about the mono test, I figured I just had a bad cold that wouldn't go away - seriously everyone around me is sick these days.

    Plus, I already had mono 15 years ago, and I thought it was something you couldn't have twice.

    So I thought it was very unlikely that I had it. So I exercised through it.

    Now that I know what I have, of course I won't be doing the same routine. It's dangerous. I'm lucky I've been fine so far! But I can't imagine doing absolutely nothing. I haven't done absolutely nothing since I was recovering from my c-sections! It's a foreign concept to me. Hey maybe I'll come to like it!

    I guess I'll just eat less for a while.

    I gotcha. You are very lucky - kettlebells and an inflamed spleen are a recipe for disaster. I think it was like 3 months total (so, 2 months left for you) that I couldn't do anything with impact. At the time, I was an equestrian and the concern was bumping and, god forbid, falling off in that condition.

    Feel better soon - I know it totally sucks!
  • Evelynnn2014
    Evelynnn2014 Posts: 42
    When I had mono the doctor gave me a shot of penicillin, and I felt recovered by the time I walked out to the parking lot of the doctor's office. It was amazing!! Since then I've been allergic to penicillin, but not that first time. Try that to get your strength back.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Working out with mono can be extremely dangerous. If your spleen ruptured well…… wouldn't be good. Talk to your doctor and ask what you should be doing as far as exercise goes. I'm sure they will tell you to take it easy and focus on resting.
  • GothyFaery
    GothyFaery Posts: 762 Member
    edited January 2015
    Wow, I almost want to applaud you for getting your workouts in with mono. I know when I had it, walking to the bathroom and back sucked my energy dry. But you really need to get rest so you can get better. You don't want to still be sick on your vacation, do you?

    Oh and PS, I had mono 3 times before my doc decided my tonsils were bad and ripped them out. So you most certainly can get mono more than once and it sucks every time!
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Mono is serious stuff. You need to rest. Any strenuous activity at all WILL make it worse. No exercise during this time. A doctor will agree and give you this as official instructions.
  • jvs125
    jvs125 Posts: 223 Member
    Yeah, they just called me back. Exercise is now off the table, as I have 2 toddlers to take care of. The most I can do for now is walk around the block until I feel better. Then gradually add on.

    THIS SUCKS!
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    jvs125 wrote: »
    Yeah, they just called me back. Exercise is now off the table, as I have 2 toddlers to take care of. The most I can do for now is walk around the block until I feel better. Then gradually add on.

    THIS SUCKS!

    I know, but this too shall pass. The most important thing is to get healthy. The gym will be there for you when it's safe to proceed.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    GothyFaery wrote: »
    Wow, I almost want to applaud you for getting your workouts in with mono. I know when I had it, walking to the bathroom and back sucked my energy dry. But you really need to get rest so you can get better. You don't want to still be sick on your vacation, do you?

    Oh and PS, I had mono 3 times before my doc decided my tonsils were bad and ripped them out. So you most certainly can get mono more than once and it sucks every time!

    Um, no. It's extremely dangerous to work out with mono.
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