So my EBV Early Antigen Ab, IgG is chronically very high. For many many years. I have some problems with fatigue but actually much less than I used to (my main problem after all this time is just chronic pain).
I have taken various herbs to no avail. My doc suggested Inocene (which I can't take due to elevated Uric Acid levels) with Artemesia. I read recently that Artemesia can cause hearing loss (!!!) so i didn't take it.
Does anyone else here have chronically high EBV early antigen? Is there anything you have done to resolve it?
Is it as worrisome as my doctor says it is if my symptoms are not that bad?
Thanks very much, Eloise
Posts: 125 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2000
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ps-- all my other EBV IgG markers are also off the charts and have been forever. Though the IgM is not high at all.
Posts: 125 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2000
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Hi! Yes, I also have chronically high IgG and IgM EBV antibodies. My IgG is always very high, and my IgM goes up and down. Regular GPs don't understand the IgM fluctuation, but my Lyme doc just says, "yup, I see that a lot with Lyme patients." My IgM tends to be high when I'm in an especially bad Lyme flare up and then will go back to normal levels (IgG stays high).
From my understanding, IgG antibodies typically mean you've had the infection in the past, so as long as your IgM antibodies are negative (which represents acute infection), then it probably isn't anything to do something about.
Even when I test positive for IgM, my doc will also check PCR of EBV to see if the actual virus is detected in my blood. If I have mono symptoms (extra intense fatigue AND IgM positive for mono), then he puts me on a prescription antiviral - valacyclovir. He said he's found that to be helpful for reactivated mono in his patients, and I have found it helps with my fatigue with active mono infection.
I hope this helps!
-------------------- Have a great day! Posts: 4 | From IL | Registered: May 2023
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thanks for your answer. It is my Early Antigen test that is always (always) high which allegedly means current active infection. (the IgG is always high too and the IgM is always negative). I think your PCR of EBV is what my doctor is equating with the Early Antigen test.
I have never taken valcyclovir. I am intrigued that it helps with your fatigue. Are there side effects?
Thanks very much!
Eloise
Posts: 125 | From New York | Registered: Oct 2000
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Oh, gotcha! It's so confusing, EBV has so many different options on antibody panels haha.
I haven't noticed any side effects for me with valacyclovir! The bottle says a potential side effect is dizziness, but my doctor said it's a very mild drug, and typically people don't have side effects. There are also lots of options for doses, so you could presumably start with a lower dose and see (if prescribed).
Valacyclovir is most often prescribed for herpes from my understanding, so some people have to be on a low dose maintenance for a very long time. But my Lyme doc said the family of viruses is similar enough with EBV that he's seen efficacy for chronic EBV folks like me. Who knows! I'm planning to stay on it until my IgM goes back down to negative.
-------------------- Have a great day! Posts: 4 | From IL | Registered: May 2023
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