posted
Before being diagnosed with Lyme, I also struggled with chronic EBV. It was reactivated after a surgery in 2008
I have been treating with combination abx since April
I started cipro a few weeks ago and it seemed to be working. But I get 3 days good 3 days bad.
This week the "herx" has been pretty unrelenting. I feel really tired, glands on both sides swollen,headaches back etc.
My PT just asked my what I was fighting and if any of the kids are sick. They aren't. He said my spleen felt enlarged.
So...now that I amthinking of it...I feel very mono-ish. I usually have right side only gland swelling, now its both sides and I felt spleen pain over the past week.
Can anyone explain the connection? Why would this crop up again now that I am on treatment?
I have read many posts that say that mono/ebv crops up with untreated lyme because the immune system is suppressed, which allows reactivation of old infections. But......why now? Is the cipro too much for my body to handle?
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
| IP: Logged |
timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
I am one who is struggling with both chronic viral and chronic bacterial pathogens. (As far as we can tell anyway.)
I think what is happening in me, and perhaps in you, is that the immune system is compromised and different pathogens reactivate whenever they darn well feel like it....especially if you aren't on treatment for that particular pathogen...
You could also be battling other reactivated pathogens (in addition to or instead of EBV). For info on those see the Infections tab at this website: http://chronicfatigue.stanford.edu/
Best, Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
If you want to try some supplements - you may want to try monolaurin. It's supposed to be anti-viral. Also, there are some drainage remedies that can help the lymph move. I have one called Lymphomyosot.
When I had CFS in the 1980s, I used astragalus. It helped alot. I think it may be contra-indicated for Lyme by some, though. Echinacea may help, too.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Last time I tested I was highly positive for both IGG and IGM EBV, and that has been going on for years for me. (The last time I was tested was May of 2011, I posted the results on this board then).
I have an appt with my LLMD on Wed so I guess it will be something I will discuss with her.
Fatigue is so bad right now...I thought it was a herx. Funny how other people can sometimes help you figure the things out that you are too dense to know about your own body! (e.g. my PT)
Thanks for the supp suggestions.
Unfortunately I am alone this weekend (for 4 days) with the kids while DH travels.
I just don't understand how I can be chronically infected with so many things.
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
| IP: Logged |
timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
pme~ If you look at my antibody titers, HSV1, Cox B4, Chlamydia Pneumoniae and VZV are (or have been) as high as the lab measures.
EBV and HHV-6 have also likely been problems for me (based on antibody titers).
And I've tested positive to 6 bands IgG and 6 bands on the IgM WB for Lyme (non Igenex labs) over the years.
It is entirely possible to be sick with more than one pathogen at a time. My theory (and it's only a theory) is that the immune system takes a hit and pathogens that are normally dormant can reactivate.
You might want to try treating the EBV...if you are indeed testing positive to it.
So sorry you are feeling so poorly.
Best, Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
But I do have a history of chronic EBV.........and that is how I feel.
I also did just start treating Bart about 3 weeks ago, I really don't know how to tell the difference honestly. I am asking this question because of my positive history of EBV also.
I don't want to lose hope, but compounding infections make me feel very hopeless about ever ever getting better.
I am so tired.
-------------------- Tick bite in 2006, bullseye rash, treated with 2 rounds of 2 weeks of doxy. (once in 2006, once in 2009) Dx with chronic Lyme May 2011. LLMD April 2012, Treating with omnicef/zith Lots of supplements! Posts: 640 | From Connecticut | Registered: Apr 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am new to this forum but I wanted to tell you that I can feel and understand what you are going through.
I have EBV also and now finding out I tested positive on the Western Blot, I am trying to figure out how not to feel so tired and extremely depressed.
I have two children and my heart goes out to you to have to go through this when your DH is out of town. I hope you have a friend, sitter, who can watch your children or take them out to a park or movie, just so you can rest and not have to think.
When I started being hit with all of the many symptoms, one doctor prescribed Wellbutrin XL 300 mg for me. Another, psychiatrist prescribed me Vyvanse and Adderal for my mental focus, energy, spaciness. And since I have been having insomnia for years, close to 10, I have a script for Clonezepan, Xxanax, and some other sleep aid that I alternate.
So when I am feeling extremely exhausted and tired, I take my Vyvanse and Adderal- sometimes it helps other times it doesn't.
It is crazy because then at night I take something for me to sleep and relax my muscles.
I am currently taking Doxy, until my appt with a LLMD- but that isn't until Feb.
So, from reading this forum and researching, I have added supplements. Oh, and I forgot to say that my local dr, the one willing to test me for borreliosis, also tested my vitamin levels, and my B-12 was low and so was my D.
He gave me shots for both, and also wrote down a number of supplements to get.
I don't know if your vitamin and mineral levels have been checked lately, but I was very surprised. My testosterone was also low, and he added that as a supplement. I do feel a bit of some improvement regarding libido- because literally ladies, and I hope you don't mind me saying- it was non-existent.
But I am feeling so depressed. I use to take Celexa with the Wellbutrin but tapered off of that earlier this year. I read that Celexa cannot be taken with Doxy, so I don't know if another anti-depressant would help.
Ugh- all these drugs. I am also taking 5-HTP, which I do feel benefit from at night (I hv happy dreams). I'll take a happy dream anytime! . I also take Omega 3's, and a number of other healthy supplements.
I did read as well where Coconut Oil, which is what sparkle7 suggested about monolaurin (one of the acids in it) and lauric acid- sorry I can't remember the third. But I hv read different opinions on the web as to the best way to take it.
But it looks like at least they all agree that there is a significant benefit against viruses, fungus, etc. so I am going to give it a try. I hv some oil here at the house, but I never cook because I just can't stand for very long.
I also hv tried Astragalus root in a capsule, as that is suppose to fight against viruses.
I hope that you can find something that can help get you through this time.
And like others have posted, my mind as well as been affected and parts of my extremities, so please forgive me if what I wrote is completely confusing.
Take care and I hope someone can help you when DH isn't there. And if no one is available, I pray your children will be extra nice and easy for their mommy.
Posts: 167 | From Southeast Tennessee/Chattanooga/Atlanta | Registered: Oct 2012
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
. I also take Omega 3's, and a number of other healthy supplements.
Printer-friendly view of this topic