I was looking at something totally different when I ran across this article. I am glad they show the pros and cons in this article, but I still think it is significant research going in the right direction. The article caught my eye because I had Mono for a month when I was 18. No one in my family ever had Mono and no one in my family has an AI disease outside of Type 2 diabetes. Just plain interesting that I have Primary SjS.
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/mono-may-increase-your-risk-these-other-diseases
Judie,
Thanks for posting. I had the same situation as you too, except mono at 20. I've always felt that was the root cause of my primary Sjogrens.
Liz D.
I was never the same after having had mono at age 17.
I also had Lyme disease.
I had severe mononucleosis at age 18. I consider it to be part of my Immune Disorder history.
I don't have an AI diagnosis (no autoantibodies) but my entire history from birth shows many illnesses and 'disorders' that demonstrate that my Immune System has always been compromised.
I think that the 'triggering event' for the escalating crash of my Immune system may have been the kidney infection with e-coli, in 2005. I had e-coli circulating in blood by the time I went to the ER and was rescued with IV antibiotics. I was 24 hours away from becoming septic, certainly a serious assault on my body.
I already had a long history, and had developed dry eye/dry mouth, diagnosed as Sjogren's (without autoantibodies) in 2002. But it was after the kidney infection in 2005 that I rapidly went down hill, with one horrible condition after another.
Fortunately I found this Forum in 2010 and gained a sense of community and empowerment from those who reach out to each other with wisdom, solutions and support.
Regards, Elaine
I was 17 when I contracted mono, but I've had SJS for as long as I can recall.
Hi :)
There was a poll on here once about mono. some of us have had it - and some not. It was pretty equal.
Take care - Scottie :)