I'm sorry for the pain you and your son are suffering. I was Dx with Epstein-Barr nearly 30 years ago. It was a refinement of my previous diagnosis: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have now been refined further to Fibromyalgia. Personally, I think they are all the same. They are Syndromes, not Diseases because there are no conclusive tests to prove or disprove them and therefore no legitimate treatment, just palliative IF you have the right Dr. I am 70 years old and have suffered from lack of energy as long as I can remember. The only thing Drs ever found that was treatable was I had pernicious anemia...an iron and vitamins B deficiency anemia treated with supplements. I was 16 then and still get vit B shot monthly and, when iron and ferratin levels are too low also weekly IV infusions. Your son should have those 3 blood levels checked as it mimics symptoms of the "Syndromes" but is treatable if monitored. As far as CFS, E-B, and Fibro treatment for the symptoms telies on your Dr and a large majority of them consider them nonexistent or psychsomatic. From Mt long experience I would recommend you abandon your search for E:-B symptoms and Dave yourselves serious frustration time and clinical depression for your son and have him checked for anemia, kidney disease and heart abnormalities. Lastly, if you end up with the only diagnosis being "all in his head" have him start a very serious exercise regimen..it seems counterproductive but actually works quite well in boosting energy. I know it JURTS, I still cry every day but the after effects are worth it. Start with 30 min daily, half weight resistance and half cardio (important to do both every day). If he cannot stand 30 minutes at once do 15 minutes twice. Work up to at least 45 min nonstop or 60 minutes of he's moving slowly. Swimming is great if he has or develops any muscle aches and/or joint pain otherwise it usually isn't rigorous enough. I assure you he is not going to want to do this but if he wants some of his energy back and doesn't want muscle wasting this is the only option Drs have for him. Get the tests first to rule out anemia, heart and kidneys before he gets too good at the exercising but I'm sure he has shortness of breath with exertion currently so he'll start slowly anyway. I promise the results will be quite helpful but not 100% of what he'd like (be sure to tell him girls find muscles quite attractive). Good luck to you both, especially Mom since you'll be the Evil Enforcer for awhile. For muscle aches after exercise, if he has, ibuprofen, NO aspirin or pain killers known as NSAIDS like Alleve, Advil and definitely no opoids, they suck away your energy and the pain won't be that bad regardless of what he may say. Every day B4 my routine I remind myself I'm in training for the Olympics and I won't get there if I miss a day..no pain, no gain. My msg to your son is If you want something you don't have you're going to have to do something you haven't done!