This is topic Epstein Barr & Lyme - Any connection? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by LunchIsland (Member # 7423) on :
 
Hello Everyone,

I came off of abx in August, after on and off treatment for 14 months. Felt pretty well for almost a month before getting sick with what I thought was a stomach virus. It kept lingering, never going away completely. After numerous tests (CT, blood tests, upper and lower GI scope), I was diagnosed with a positive EBV test. Tested negative for mono, but liver enzymes were elevated and liver and spleen enlarged. My question....is anyone aware of some connection between the EB virus and Lyme? I know my immune system is still not what it was prior to getting infected, and am wondering if somehow this illness is related to the lyme. I'd appreciate any comments/experiences any of you could offer. Thanks.

Lunch
 

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Posted by johnlyme1 (Member # 7343) on :
 
I was first diagnosed with EBV. My test showed very high IGG vaules wich led the ducks to think I was recovering from a case of Mono. 1 year latter posative for all co-infections and lyme. My EBV Igg is still high but I am still fighting off the other bugs. My LLMD is not so concerned about the EBV in my case due that my organ systems are not like what you are going through.
 

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Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
 
I believe that EBV is a common infection. Most people are infected at some time in their lives so it would not be unusual to have a positive IgG.

According to my LLMD and many others, people with Lyme usually have a suppressed immune system which makes us more likely to pick up many other infections.
Terry
 

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Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
 
Yep, EBV and Parvovirus and micoplasma pneumonia are common this soup of infection. The doctors don't spend too much time on the viruses. It just adds to the discomfort, though.

Now you know why you've been so tired?
 

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Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
 
I agree with everyone so far - EBV, HHV6, CMV, Mycloplasma, etc. are among many latent and dormant pathogens that may activate in Lyme patients because our immune systems are suppressed.

I had elevated EBV and other titers decades ago with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, recovered, now it's active again with Lyme.

Some Lyme doctors prescribe Valtrex to Lyme patients for any herpes-like viruses. I'm using natural methods such as olive leaf extract and Monolaurin to try to get the EBV under control. My LLMD feels its important to try to treat the viruses in some way to take some of the load off the immune system.

Were you ever treated for any of the other tick-borne diseases? They can also account for elevated liver enzymes, spleen issues, etc.

Jill
 

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Posted by LunchIsland (Member # 7423) on :
 
Jill,

Yes I was tested for other infections about 9 months ago and tested negative. I guess I just have to wait it out, and try to boost my immune system. What can I take for that? I have read cat's claw, but am not familar with it. Does it work?

Lunch
 

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Posted by LunchIsland (Member # 7423) on :
 
Jill,

Yes I was tested for other infections about 9 months ago and tested negative. I guess I just have to wait it out, and try to boost my immune system. What can I take for that? I have read cat's claw, but am not familar with it. Does it work?

Lunch
 

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Posted by karatelady (Member # 7854) on :
 
Same here - along with lyme I have high titers for EBV, CMV, and C. Pneumonia.

None of my previous docs would even bother testing for these because they say most of the population are infected.

They don't seem to get it that there's a difference between a dormant virus and an active one.

Sandy
 

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Posted by stymielymie (Member # 10044) on :
 
almost everybody in the country will test positive for Epstein barr, herpes simples and many other viruses.

most of these were originally obtained in childhood and anitbodies are still present in
the body.
epstein barr and most viruses will come forth from there secret hidden location
when the body is under stress or immune deficient. ie. cold sores, herpes simplex

most viruses hide in the nerve ending in our
body and stay inert until something
activates them to full sattus.

most all lyme patients will show eb virus
positive for there whole life.

the diagnosis of any viral disease must also be from symptoms and not tests.
tests just tell you the antibodies are in your system, nothing else.

eb virus can be very dangerous as an adult and should be taken very seriously.
eb can convert to lymphomas such as hogkin's
lymphoma.
mono in adults can be very debilitating and can lead to other issues.

time for dinner lunch

docdave
 

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Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by LunchIsland:
Jill,

Yes I was tested for other infections about 9 months ago and tested negative. I guess I just have to wait it out, and try to boost my immune system. What can I take for that? I have read cat's claw, but am not familar with it. Does it work?

Lunch

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jill E.:
I agree with everyone so far - EBV, HHV6, CMV, Mycloplasma, etc. are among many latent and dormant pathogens that may activate in Lyme patients because our immune systems are suppressed.

I had elevated EBV and other titers decades ago with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, recovered, now it's active again with Lyme.

My LLMD feels its important to try to treat the viruses in some way to take some of the load off the immune system.

Were you ever treated for any of the other tick-borne diseases? They can also account for elevated liver enzymes, spleen issues, etc.

Jill

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I was tested a couple of months ago for viruses for the first time. Apparently EBV and Coxsackie A were both recent reactivations. (I also have low level persistant HepC)

I was just about to start antivirals and my liver functions went too high. I was treating Babs at the time.

I was wondering if the viruses could be at least partially responsible for the spike in LFTs?


Sorry for the hi-jack, Lunch, but you reminded me and I'd been thinking about this too. Thanks for posting this topic.
 

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Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
 
lunch, please edit your 1st post that is NOT broken up for easy reading.

Click on PENCIL and then break up each sentence as a paragraph like I'm doing here.

Leave one blank line between each paragraph so we are able to read/comprehend what you have typed.

click on EDIT POST button to send....thanks!

Please do this on ALL posts/replies.

I have this; want to read all posts; then I will respond. Bettyg
 

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Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
 
I'm not sure there's a connection so much as there is the fact that if you test for it, it will show up. I had real (monospot positive) mono at the beginning of my whole "sickness" thing. I never really got better from it, so I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue for several years until I was diagnosed with Lyme.

I recently ran viral titers and some EBVs come back positive and others don't. Most likely, they will always be positive, as others have mentioned. Remember that there are a lot of viruses and even some bacteria (tuberculosis for example) that you will remain positive on the immunoreactive tests for the rest of your life. This however, does not mean you have an active infection or anything of the sort.

I am a bit curious about Valtrex, however. Has anyone noticed a great improvement while they were on it?
 

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Posted by improver (Member # 8380) on :
 
I found this tiny bit of info on the Igenex site, don't know if it will help....

A positive IgG result with clinical history may be indicative of Lyme disease. Patients with other spirochetal disease and/or who test positive for rheumatoid factor or Epstein Barr virus may have cross-reacting antibodies. A positive response in this, as in any antibody assay, indicates sensitization, not necessarily active disease.
 

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Posted by Susan C (Member # 11016) on :
 
My opinion is that EB is all over the place. Low immune systems can't take care of it the way a strong one can. Therefore, when our bodies are not strong, we let things like EB in. I had it for a long time when I was sick.
 

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Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
 
feb. 1970 when i was diagnosed with mononucleosis, it actually was EBV; but was also the BEGINNING OF MY CHRONIC LYME DISEASE.


labs showed 3 types of EBV, active HHV 6, simplex herpes, etc.

and NO co-infections!
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by bettyg:
feb. 1970 when i was diagnosed with mononucleosis, it actually was EBV; but was also the BEGINNING OF MY CHRONIC LYME DISEASE.

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