Just wondering how many Lyme people out there have tested positive for Epstein-Barr?
On the one hand, I heard that something like 90-95% of the adult population has had exposure to EBV in the past and will thus test positive on an IGG basis (but not IGM basis). However, there are also reactivation tests that (as the name suggests...) test whether an old EBV infection has been reactivated.
For EBV, I am IGG positive, IGM negative, and reactivation positive.
Has anyone else had this? Any ideas on what symptoms go along with this (I suspect they heavily overlap with Lyme)?
If Lyme can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, it may have done so in my case and opened the door for EBV...
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
I tested positive for both. Still fighting.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
DD has consistently had elevated EBV titers (IgG and EBNA?). She's taken various prescription antivirals none of which have reduced the load. And despite sometimes very aggressive Lyme/co treatment over the years, her EBV levels have never returned to normal.
IMO, those with high viral titers of EBV (and also HHV-6 which DD also has had) present like "typical" CFS patients, ie, extreme fatigue, post-exertional malaise, POTS. Of course there are many other CFS and Lyme symptoms, but those seem to be 3 of the biggest ones for those dx'ed with CFS.
I do think Lyme/cos is a huge factor. But DD's immune system appears just fine except for very low NK cells. She's never met a germ her body didn't welcome on board.
The EBV/Lyme connection is something I've been trying to figure out for a long time.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
I've reactivation positive along with HHV6, cytomegalovirus, mycoplasma and several other viruses.
I was told my viruses went wild when I got infected with Lyme.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Everything reactivates when you have Lyme. It's pretty common. Talk to your LLMD about treating these as well as Lyme.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I tested positive for CMV and EBV as well.
Haven't been tested for HHV6.
I have never once had mono and have never once had the symptoms of CMV.
A year and a half ago I was tested for EBV because of increasing fatigue. IgG and IgM negative.
After the most recent tick bite, and sand flea exposure, I returned positive for EBV and CMV in June of this year.
Food for thought.
I think ticks transmit these viruses as well.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
But even after numerous rounds of aggressive tx for Lyme, and rx antivirals for years, the high EBV titers, low NK cells and susceptibility to any infection that comes along remain. It's beyond frustrating.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
I used to have high HHV6 and cytomegleovirus numbers and was put on antiviral meds that made me feel awful.
For over 2 years my numbers kept going up even with antivirals.
I stopped the antivirals and started taking coconut oil and after about a year my numbers finally went down.
It may all be a coincidence, but I still take coconut oil and my viral numbers are still in normal range, not active and I rarely catch colds now.
My bad cholesterol went down 50 points as well with no change other than adding coconut oil.
Posted by KH111 (Member # 25829) on :
What was your dosage of coconut oil? Hiw long did you take it?
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
I use a teaspoon in my decaf green tea every time I have tea. Usually 3 cups a day - sometimes more if it's cold.
I had to work my way up to that though. I started with 1/4 of a teaspoon a day. I've been taking it for a few years now.
It took about a year before my viral numbers started to decline.
It comes in capsules too if you can't stand the taste.