Although you might have CFS, it is also possible that you only have post viral fatigue syndrome, which can last between 6 months and two years and then just goes away.

My best advice to you is be cautious about trying to treat yourself, rest as much as possible and avoid pushing through the fatigue if you can. You need a proper diagnosis and a doctor to supervise your treatment.

Other than that, there have been a lot of informative discussions on this site since I joined it a few months ago and it might be helpful to read through some of them.

Hello - Having mono can take a long time to get over totally. You may indeed have PVFS as cmiat noted. Mine started as that after a nasty virus. It may also be CFS now or become CFS, or as cmait said; this may ease entirely after some time.
I would do all I can to build up your immune system.

Lots of good deep sleep if you are able to.

A good multivitamin. Extra B12, D3 (if you don't get enough sunlight), zinc, C, magnesium.

In the decades I have has this the most important thing has always been Nutritious food, protein, veggies, fruit, yogurt or kefer- very little grains or sugars, soda or heavily caffeinated drinks (they give you a temporary lift but then you drop harder). Don't smoke if you do. Breathe deeply from your belly. This gives your system good oxygen to work with to heal.

I know just how frustrating this can be. I can suggest most of all to pace yourself. Do what you can to keep moving but the second you feel like you might be losing energy try to get to where you can rest up for a bit. Rest and recharge, then maybe do some more.
Aerobic exercise is not suggested. There is evidence that getting to this point where your heart beats faster for longer periods just makes us worse. Stick to gentle walks and weight lifting (small dumbbells) to try not to lose muscle mass.
You can't force this. You CAN push yourself, use up all your adrenal backup and be worse, so go slow and perhaps you can heal and go back to your life slowly in time. I truly do wish this for you.

As many of us have learned here at this site, the best information on how to treat CFS is from fellow sufferers! The advice in the two previous posts is absolutely right on. It's better advice than any doctor would give you!

You truly (and may have already) need a blood work up to eliminate many, many other illnesses that can cause extreme fatigue. That would include thyroid dysfunction, vitamin/food allergies/deficiencies, etc.

It is VITAL that your doctor has some knowledge of CFS and believes that you are not making this up or over-reacting. This type of doctor will give you an antidepressant and send you on your way home to take a nap! This is how you know you're in the wrong office.

I would seek out a doctor that has other CFS patients to be sure that your medical advice is on point. Like I said, pacing, good nutrition, good rest habits, avoiding strenuous/vigorous activities and help and support from a group like this one are going to help you the most as you confront new problems on your journey with CFS.

We welcome you! I hope you do not have CFS. I had mono in college and was sick for a year. I completely healed up after that. Then, at age 57 I was struck down with this illness and my Epstein-Barr number is still VERY high!

I do hope you can find a good doctor. If you are not clinically depressed, an antidepressant can make you feel much worse with CFS!!!

I wish you the best! xo

It is quite common to hear on this site that we got CFS after having had mono. That was the case for me. I agree with everyone else that you have to make sure that it's not something else first, but CFS is a very real possibility given your symptoms. I know what it's like to see doctor after doctor with no help. That happened to me too and I was so tired and sick, I thought I couldn't go on. You have to find a doctor who understands fatigue-based illnesses like CFS, fibromyalgia, etc. I am so sorry you are experiencing this at such a young age. I was 16 when I got it. It is quite difficult to face it as a young person. We are here for you. You'll probably hear a lot about pacing. That's one of the main things we try to do to manage the fatigue. Many blessings.

Not much I can add to the sage advice others have already given you.

I would say to avoid getting into a cycle of crash/recovery that keeps repeating itself. Some clinical evidence suggests that this kind of scenario leads to further disability.

I try to maintain a reasonably regular schedule where I don't do too much in the way of aerobic exercise and then crash. For example, I do property maintenance and gardening where I live, but only for a few hours at most in the morning...with a short session of less than an hour in the early evening if I feel up to it. I rest a lot every day.

I don't really have much to add to the good advice you have already received from other members. I have not been diagnosed yet, either; although I, like you, have been to many doctors, had many tests, and have been told they are all normal. My next step is to see a neurologist but I've been putting it off. I'm taking a break from doctors.

As a breast cancer survivor, I take several supplements and medications as recommended by my cancer team. It has taken me quite some time to learn that I can accomplish more during the day by working SLOWLY for SHORT periods of time. Get lots of rest in between.

Welcome to the site. The people here are awesome!