1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Connection between the Epstein Barr virus and PMR

Posted by christopherc @christopherc, Mar 19 7:45am

Has anyone had the Epstein Barr virus or mononucleosis in their life? I had them in high school and am wondering if the dormant EBV in my body could have been a trigger causing my PMR.

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bainbridge | @bainbridge | Mar 19 8:29am

Yes, I had mononucleosis in high school also- at age 14-now 78. I’ve wondered about this connection. I have several other autoimmune conditions also.

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christopherc | @christopherc | Mar 19 9:53am

Thanks for your reply. Let’s see how many other people have had mononucleosis which I believe is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

FYI, my research on AI says there isn’t a confirmed connection, but it has been suspected along with other viruses as a trigger of PMR, but further research is needed.

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linda7 | @linda7 | Mar 19 7:49pm

I had mononucleosis at about age 20. I started thinking about it when I noticed that my monocytes are now running high as they do with that disease. I didn't have time to discuss it with my rheumatologist at the last visit.

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1 reply
christopherc | @christopherc | Mar 19 9:07pm
In reply to @linda7 "I had mononucleosis at about age 20. I started thinking about it when I noticed that..." + (show)
@linda7

I had mononucleosis at about age 20. I started thinking about it when I noticed that my monocytes are now running high as they do with that disease. I didn't have time to discuss it with my rheumatologist at the last visit.

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If you get a chance to discussion with your doctor, I would be very interested in his/her thoughts on this topic. Thank you.

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rocksology | @rocksology | Mar 20 2:55am

I had mono in my 50’s. PMR pain started around age 57, diagnosed at 67.

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kbromwell | @kbromwell | Mar 20 1:39pm

Yes mono at 16…. It infected my spleen and liver. I was in the hospital 2 weeks. I was out of school for a semester.

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1 reply
cheneveygc | @cheneveygc | Mar 21 2:57am
In reply to @kbromwell "Yes mono at 16…. It infected my spleen and liver. I was in the hospital 2..." + (show)
@kbromwell

Yes mono at 16…. It infected my spleen and liver. I was in the hospital 2 weeks. I was out of school for a semester.

Jump to this post

I had mono as teen. I have PMR.

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cchantiles | @cchantiles | Mar 21 7:09pm

I had mono as a kid and got PMR at 50.

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cchantiles | @cchantiles | Mar 22 7:34am

Actually, my mom just said I did not have mono that I had the measles. Very bad case.

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