(Sorry, this is a bit long, bear with me, I've tried to make it as painless as possible; thats why there is a tip!)

Since I was about 15, I've always been a very tired person all the time; unable to stay awake through the day, needing a lot of naps, involuntarily falling asleep at my desk in class, going to bed at 8pm and still waking up tired. It sort of went through cycles where this would happen for a few months, then I'd be fine for a few months.

Every November (like clockwork) I'd get a case of a very sore throat and infected tonsils. I'd go to the doctor, they'd suggest Strep, they'd swab me, it'd come back negative, and that would be the end of the doctor caring...

In November 08 I went to a new doctor when the tonsil infection flared up, and this one suggested instantly that I had Mono. I got a blood test, and it came back positive with very high levels. Because it was the exact symptoms as every year, it makes me think I've likely had mono the entire time, though there is no way to really diagnose it because I was never previously tested for it. They suggested 2 months bed rest and 6 months restricted activity. I tried to get as much sleep as I could, which was 13 hours a night on week days, and about 20 hours a day on weekends, other than 2 days a week where I played badminton (against the doctors orders - I couldn't give it up because I have scholarships for it.. really took a lot out of me)..

Between November and March as pretty much Hell. Thank god my boss was sympathetic because at work, I couldn't stay awake long... as hard as I tried I'd fall asleep at my desk several times a day, even after drinking cups of coffee and I'd sleep through lunch break. No matter what I tried, I couldn't stay awake. (Pretty typical mono I'm guessing). Doing simple things like laundry or running to the store were so exhausting I could hardly do them and often just didn't. I don't think I stayed up past 8pm more than 5 times. Out of all the times I've went through a similar thing, this was by far the most severe.

Between March and June I could feel myself getting better slowly. I could stay awake later, I could make it through the day without falling asleep (most days). It was getting easier to do simple tasks. I started to clean up my lifestyle by cutting out caffiene, eating better, exercising regularly (other than just badminton).

June/July I felt great. I had tons of energy, I got tons of stuff done, I started to get into better shape, and I needed only as much sleep as a normal person.

In the last two weeks, though, I've felt myself starting to relapse. It started with a few days of a high-stress project at work. I'm exhausted all the time, falling asleep at work, and everything from before. It came on over a week or so; and now that I know what's coming, I feel like I'm getting a bit depressed too. I feel like everything I was doing right (lifestyle changes) are going to be totally messed up, because I'm 20, I can't even stay awake to go out with my friends or play sports or stay in shape. I feel like I'm totally wasting the good years.

I'm not sure what to do now. I think I need to go to the doctor, but what can they do? Won't they just test me and tell me the exact same thing as before? I can't waste 4 months out of every year sleeping in bed when I'm 20 and I'm in college and I'm working. I've already missed handing in homework this time because I've fallen asleep working on it and missed the deadline. I've went out with my friends and had to leave early because I'm falling asleep. I feel like I'm totally missing out.

I'm not sure where to turn any more. What will a doctor really even do other than just say the same thing?

Is there any other issues I should inquire with my doctor to check out? They don't really seem to test for anything unless I suggest it, other than that one time, even though I've switched doctors, so I need some ideas if they're going to be looked into...

Any suggestions?