Hi all, I haven't been around for awhile, but I'm back with a question.
Labs show that I currently have an active Epstein Barr virus. Other infections are currently not active, just recently kicked their behinds after lengthy treatment. Was feeling very good, despite the EBV.
To treat the EBV my doctor wants me to be on:
Acyclovir 800 mg, twice per day; Olive Leaf Extract 500 mg, three times per day, and Monolaurin 300 mg, three times per day. (He says this is research-based treatment.)
I started the Acyclovir 3 weeks ago. All was fine. Due to worry about my reaction, I waited to start the Olive Leaf for 10 days, starting at 1 per day for 5 days. Did fine.
Then added a second Olive Leaf, and started to feel "funny", but not the laughing kind. Kind of unfocused, tired, a mild malaise.
Is it a herx? So can killing the EBV cause a herx? I think I should probably know this answer, but I'm looking to my Lymenet folks to tell it like it is.
Best wishes to all. Hopeful4
Posted by TNT (Member # 42349) on :
Olive leaf is a fairly good anti-parasitical, so you may be hitting more than just viruses (I am aware of it's anti-viral properties).
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
OK, I see, that could be contributing. Have you used it, and if you have, how did it work for you?
Thanks.
Posted by TNT (Member # 42349) on :
I have found it too strong for me to use. I get the same reaction (as I do with antiparasiticals) each time I have tried it.
The OLE I have used is from Mountain Meadows in Kalispell Montana. They recommend it as a gentle parasite cleanse for young children. That is some of the reason I purchased it, because I wanted something gentle. But, I personally could not handle it even though it is gentle (yet potent).
This is how I know it's anti-parasitical besides its anti-viral abilities.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
A LLMD had recommended I use Transfer Factor PlasMyc from Researched Nutritionals. He said it was good for HHV6 and mycoplasma. That may be helpful for you, too.
Olive leaf has always been good for the first suspicion of an oncoming cold. It does have some antiviral properties. Work up to it slowly. Add in green tea, and that will give it an additional boost. I use the Nature's Way brand.
Dr. H in his book discounts the use of famvir and acyclovir. He hasn't much success with these for EBV, and frankly, neither have I.
I was on Laurcidin for a couple of years. Made me herx while I was working up to a full scoop. It never did change my levels of EBV.
Good luck. Let us know what eventually works for you.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
TNT – Yes, it seems like it’s too strong for me too. Sounds like it’s supposed to be gentle, though.
CherylSue – I’ll check into Dr. H.’s book and see what he says. I wonder what’s going to happen when I try adding the monolaurin. Looks like more herxing ahead.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Hopeful4, see pg. 155 in Dr. H's book:
"Unfortunately, in our patient population, most of the standard antiviral drugs, such as Famvir, Valtrex, and Zovirax do not seem to have a significant effect on reducing chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia symptoms and IV Cytovene is not a viable option for most patients."
p. 157 gives a list of options:
transfer factors Olive Leaf Extract Mushroom derivatives, including 3-6 beta-glucan
p.156 Byron White Formula A-EB/H6 formula
Posted by Clint31 (Member # 16420) on :
Probably a herx. I've used those extracts & monolaurin before and they cause some stuff to happen like that
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
CherylSue, Thanks for the page numbers, that helped. I also found something on "viral infections" on page 470.
I haven't used any of the Byron White formulas, but I'm going to look this one up.
Clint31, I'm feeling the herx. I stopped the olive leaf extract several days ago, but am still on the acyclovir. Herxing away yesterday and today.
Then my husband reminded I could take Smilax to see if it would reduce the herx. I had forgotten about using it. So that has helped me since late afternoon today.
Am I ready for the monolaurin, just don't know yet. Maybe I'll cut the capsule and start out with less.
Thanks folks!
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Hopeful4, go slowly, maybe with one of the choices. Too much too soon = one bad herx!
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Exactly. Right now it seems like the acyclovir by itself is too much. I think it took some time to build up in my system.
I've been taking 800 mg., twice per day, now it's almost 1 month. What if I take a break from it, is that not advisable? Or what if I cut the tablet in half, and take a smaller amount?
I'm going to try to reach my doctor on Monday and see what he says, too.
The idea of taking all three: acyclovir, olive leaf extract, and monolaurin now seems over-ambitious to me!
In the last week I've gone from being at about a very good level of functioning (about 70% of my former self), to napping 2 hrs. per day, being clumsy, bumping into things and getting hurt, driving very little, feeling overwhelmed, unfocused, and some malaise.
I know I've got to reduce the EBV load, but paying a price for it. Please advise.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Back up to where you feel better. Try olive leaf extract which is a good antiviral.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
I'm taking a break from the acyclovir. I stopped taking it last evening, and have not taken any today.
Yes, need to feel better, have to be functional. Maybe the olive leaf by itself will be an option.
My doctor often leans towards recommending protocols that are too much for my system. Generally I just modify the instructions to a more manageable level for myself.
I have, up until now, been feeling greatly improved. So I thought I could kind of take on the world! Just going to back off now. Think I'll also go back to infra-red sauna, which is very gentle, and has been very helpful to me.
Have a great day.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Good luck, Hopeful4!
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
The update is that I took a break from the acyclovir and felt much better. I asked my doctor what to do next. He said to take 1 acyclovir at bedtime only.
I just knew that the entire 800 mg tablet would be too much for me. I cut it in half enough times to make a 1/8 tablet, that's 100 mg.
So I took the 1/8 tablet at bedtime for three nights. The next afternoon I experienced a significant herx. I became very irritable, emotionally erratic, upset, crying, had difficulty managing simple tasks, felt “off” and just not feeling right.
In the late evening I took smilax to reduce the herx, and a detox bath. It helped, but this whole ride has been difficult, it feels like a roller-coaster. Then I haven't taken any acyclovir since.
On the one hand, I need to reduce the EBV load, and on the other hand, I still need to function. I know this is a conundrum for all of us with lyme and cos.
I also wonder if something else is going on. Can the acylovir disrupt the biofilm? Am I releasing some metals? Am I killing off some additional virus that the lab did not test for? Other ideas?
Thanks.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
I couldn't handle acyclovir or Famvir. You don't need that to reduce EBV. Olive Leaf Extract or Transfer Factor PlasMyc can do the same without the herxing.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Thanks for your suggestions. I have taken acyclovir before, to reduce shingles outbreak. It did not have this effect on me. Maybe it was a lower dose, or maybe the EBV was not active at the time, I don't know.
Well, I'm not going back on it. I'll have to develop a plan B. Thanks for your support!
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Plan B suggestion: Tesla wand.
Carmen said her neighbor had chronic herpes for many years. And she got better only using high frequencies.
she's still on remission!
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Thanks for the suggestion, Brussels. I don't know enough, or really anything at all, about the Tesla wand. If it can treat chronic herpes, perhaps it can treat EBV. What else does it do, and how is it used?
Thanks so much.
Posted by msdixie (Member # 46254) on :
I took valtrex for 2 years for EBV . Everyone herxes with it also because the EBV dies off just like lyme . The first three months were hard and then I slowly began improving . At least it got me out of bed and out of being totally house bound .
Also , I have friend with HEP C virus who took chaga mushrooms and in 8 months she cut her viral load literally in half! Her life got much better because of the chaga and she had lab work to prove it . Reishii mushrooms are also powerful , but the chaga amazed me with the HEP C results.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
I'm glad to hear that you've improved and been able to get out of the house...is that recent? I'll check out the chaga and reishi mushrooms that helped your friend, that's great she improved so much.
I was feeling so very good before starting the acyclovir. I wasn't really symptomatic with the EBV. It was the best I'd felt in a year.
Although I know we have to herx when we kill off the infections, the herx was too strong for me to handle. Also, just herxing after feeling so well which followed a year of not feeling well...it was too much emotionally.
I think I need a slower, gently path.
Best wishes.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Google: EBV resveratrol
(the good factor in red wine)
Nano curcumin MIGHT work, but looks like the above may be better.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Thanks for the suggestions, Marnie. I'll look into it to find out more. At least there seem to be some options to choose from as an alternative to being hammered!