Long term spleen problems from mono?
I got mononucleosis last April. It is now October. Quite some time has passed. While I was sick with mono, my spleen was enlarged. I could feel it. I made some bad decisions and drank a lot of alcohol and smoked cigarettes while this happened. One doctor told me to avoid this, but I have (and still have) problems with alcohol. Another doctor told me alcohol does not affect mono and the spleen like some people say. My 21st birthday was a couple weeks after I got over the mono, and pretty much drank too much in that period of time. I still drink now and I still ahve not been able to quit, and sometimes I still feel a tiny bit of pain in the upper left abdomen (under the ribcage, where I believe the spleen is). It doesn't cause me pain to the point where it affects me other than being totally worried about it. It feels like I have pain there when I drink or smoke. I want to stop drinking and smoking, but it's hard being in college and having all your friends doing this, but I'm trying to pray and change my habits. I feel like it's too late though. I'm worried I have caused permanent damage to my body and that my spleen might be in trouble. My lower right side also feels the same tiny pain every now and then, but not often. I will see a doctor soon about this, but I was wondering if I could have done something terrible to myself by abusing drugs while I was sick and afterwards. Please help me if you can. Thank you.
Mononucleosis and your spleen
Gorg, I was diagnosed with mono when i was 16, I am now 23, I was not sick I just had an enlarged spleen and was bed ridden until it went down a week later...it has been almost 8 years and it still enlarges ocasionally but now, I know why now...on days where I don't sleep very much sometimes a couple nights in a row the next day it will feel like a fist is under my left rib cage, that is my spleen enlarged, and I know to stay calm because if I get excited or am active it gets that little pinch added to it...so my suggestion to you is to get plenty of sleep every night or especially when your going to be active because i think if your aware that it is sleep controlled you can be more at ease....
Mononucleosis and your spleen
Hi gorg,
Unfortunately you might have caused damage to your spleen because you drank alcohol whilst you spleen was enlarged because of Mononucleosis. Not all people get an enlarged spleen from Mono, but you obviously did, you could even feel it.
I can't say how permanent the damage might be. Do see a doctor as you are planning.
I can understand how it might be difficult to avoid drinking when you are at college and I do feel sorry for you. I'm not sure cigarettes have any effect on the spleen, though.
Please report back when you have seen a doctor, I would really like to know how you get on, I feel quite concerned about you.
Kind regards,
iv
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