As you know I tested positive for Lyme with IgM band 23 and 41.
I have been on doxy for almost 30 days at 200 mgs a day.
Doctor I think is going to treat longer at higher doses for another month I think.
Here's why I'm so upset. I just got my virus load and I also have EBV. Both IgM and IgG.
I also have Herpesvirus 6 IgG positive but IgM Neg which reads past infection.
Where did these come from? Is this related to Lyme?
Doctor would like to use UVB to help with the virus load. Is this what is used?
I'm in tear right now. I don't know how much I can take. I'm so tired it's really making doing anything a real drag.
Sami
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
It is normal for latent infections such as EBV, HHV-6, CMV, etc.
To become "active" once your immune system is seriously compromised.
Such as the case with Lyme.
My LLMD views these infections as co-infections also.
While not given to me by the tick, activated due to Lyme's affect on my immune system.
I did 8 months of valcyte.
Many others here have done anti-viral meds.
Hang in there.
Just another page in a chapter of Lyme.
If possible, find a LLMD.
You really need someone who specializes in Tick-borne diseases.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by mazou (Member # 15319) on :
My viral loads are very high as well, so you are not alone. I have heard that this is normal, since, as Geneal pointed out, the immune system is compromised.
If you are working on clearing the Lyme infections and get healthier, I have every faith that your viruses will go down as well.
mazou
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
I was wondering about the EBV VCA test.
My test indicated a score of over 5.0 for both of IGG EBNA and VCA. Anything over 1.0 is abnormal.
I understand it just means you have had a past infection.
Is this high, and do I need to be concerned? What is a virus load?
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
hi there,
use my newbie package and do a search...
edit, find, and type in TIMACA
she has things galore on HHV-6 and website; read that good ok! she's our HHV-6 guru...
i have them too...
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
UVB to help with viral load might be a good idea...get out in the sun. Problematic with certain abx.
When your body is under attack by pathogens, it has to pick between 2 major immune responses...Th1 and Th2 (there actually is a Th3 response also).
In lyme, Th1 kicks in and that makes you vulnerable to infections that need the Th2 pathway to kick in.
Only one pathway at a time. The body figures out which is the most dangerous pathogen at the moment.
And that is the one it goes after.
Dormant viral infections can re-emerge.
Do you follow?
"Pentoxifylline improves cell-mediated immunity and reduces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) plasma viremia in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive persons."
Would it work on other viruses as well as against Bb?
Discuss it with your doctor. It has to do with helping the CD4 cells and others.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Sami, It is not uncommon with LD to active viral co-infections, many of us do.
My viral titers were so high, my LLMD's said they had never seen titers that high EVER!
Healthy people - all of us - (read your viral tests it should confirm this) - all people, especially by mid-life have dormant viruses in our spine - contracted by "living" and not in a plastic bubble! They don't bother us usually, but can be re-activated with a down immune system.
I have both viruses you mention..I have been on Valtrex for 2 years and the titers are dropping. Some will tell you Valtrex doesn't work on HHV6, but it has worked for me.
I am not familiar with UVB - I am only familiar w/ antivirals which stop replication.
Thank you all so much for your input it surely helps.
A bit about my back round and how I got here.
March of 2007 I got Mono for the very first time at age 44. No one else in the family got this other then my niece and myself. We don't live under the same roof.
In that time I was also on steroids for hypo adrenals so I guess my immune system was not up to par.
I also came out of remission after having the flu and Mono and cycled with cluster migraines which was a bit hard to deal with but was put on pure O2 15 liters per minute full nonrebreathable mask and Imitrex (high doses for 6 weeks) My cycle stopped.
I thought all was fine but we still had a hard time tapering down the steroids. I finally got off of them in November and I was doing well. this took almost 9 months of dropping by just 1 mg at a time.
We adjusted my thyroid meds and for a couple of months I was doing great. then I backslided and I thought my thyroid meds needed to go up again.
I haven't been on a stable dose of thyroid meds since 2003 so this was really a blow to find out that we had to add more to the mix and now I had Lyme, EBV and HHv6 and Lord know what else.
I'm guessing that taking the steroid for over 18 months this left me wide open for all different infections and in this time frame I think is when the Lyme came out.
I do think I've had the lyme for a long time but the symptoms were mistaken for thyroid and adrenal problems.
Again thank you all for your support. Some days are just overwhelming.
Here I thought I was just trying to get my thyroid under control now I have Lyme to go with it and in my body it seems like I'm hosting a party.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
"I do think I've had the lyme for a long time but the symptoms were mistaken for thyroid and adrenal problems."