Thanks for the responses guys. The doctors keep telling me it's just my body still trying to fight off the mono and that mono can really wreck havoc for some people. But the fatigue and lymph nodes still popping up is what makes me think, "still fighting off mono" is actually some kind of post-viral fatigue problem.
It's the lymphoma concerns that scare me the most, but four ENTs dismissing that at this point, I guess leaves me believing I have some kind of post-viral problem.
To be honest, the worst part at his point isn't how I feel, it's the not knowing for sure what's going on...
cfs doesn't so much CAUSE stuff as much as it shows up when something else has caused IT.
the nodes are quite a bit of a concern.
it is typical that cfs has showed up after an infection like mono. i don't know why the drs aren't jumping up and down about it more...
my cousin (13 at the time) had similar - severe fatigue and headaches for almost 8 months following mono. poor bugg3r. he seems fine now.
your lymphatic system sure seems to be inflamed over something. i guess that's what the drs are saying is related to the mono.
yes i think non-tender lymph nodes could be related to your cfs, whatever the whole picture is.
just continue to rest as much as possible, overexertion can cause heart problems, as well as make you feel plain crummy.
sounds like you have already gotten a second opinion, you might need a third. when you go to the dr, don't mention 'cfs', it might be too distracting. just describe the exhaustion and the nodes.
A viral infection certainly can precipitate coming down with CFS, and lymph nodes don't have to be particularly tender for a diagnosis, but most people with CFS find the fatigue, thinking problems and the inability to exert themselves in any way is the overwhelming complaint. Pain happens, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, all of those are problems, but not THE problem.
It sounds like your cough is a major symptom, which doesn't fit the classic picture. You don't mention the cognitive problems, which are very troublesome to people. The diagnosis of CFS is one of exclusion, because there isn't a reliable test yet. I would suggest keeping it in the back of your mind as a possibility, but to carry on seeking other answers as well.
Hope this helps.