1. < Infectious Diseases

Is chronic reactivated EBV different from chronic active EBV?

Posted by memecat28 @memecat28, Feb 7, 2018

I was just told I tested positive for all Epstein Barr Virus tests, except for the one that says you were recently infected. I was told I have Chronic Reactivated Epstein Barr Virus, and that I would be referred to an infectious disease doc. I started to research and everything keeps coming up with Chronic Active Epstein Barr, which seems to be a rare form and serious. Are these two forms different?

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magbatt | @magbatt | Sep 24, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear of your continued battle with the evil EBV virus. As for Valtrex, I do not take it or any other pharma anti-Viral. I take the
protocol that was given to me by the staff ND at Bastyr Clinic. Astra-Isatis (2 tablets three times a day to start with, then twice a day.)
Lysine - (I started with 1,000mg twice a day then reduced it to once a day / or a split dose.) Monolaurin (Two or three times a day - don't
know the originally prescribed strength.) It took exactly days to know it was working. What an amazing difference! At one point, I found this
protocol on line along with the research to support it, but have not been able to find it recently. I have been taking it for nine years.

The Astra-Isatis can be difficult to find. I get mine at Bastyr by prescription, but have seen it online. (Made by Health Concerns) Cost's between $35
and $50 for 250 tablets. Monolaurin is not so easy to find either, and about the same price. I get mine at Bastyr, by prescription, but I have seen it on-line.
Lysine is cheap and available everywhere. You MUST take all three together for it to work in the beginning. I find that I can sometimes skip the
Monolaurin unless something triggers a reactivation. Do not use any kind of "energizers" that contain arginine out of desperation. Some research
shows that it dissolves the virus "capsule" and allows the virus to reactivate. Be careful - it's in almost all energy anythings, not always by name.
If it says "amino acids" you can bet there's arginine in it.

I can't say whether or not this will work for everybody, but it gave me back my life after years of mis-diagnosis (lupus) and misery.
Good luck to all! Magbatt

REPLY
1 reply
jgee18 | @jgee18 | Sep 24, 2018
In reply to @magbatt "I'm so sorry to hear of your continued battle with the evil EBV virus. As for..." + (show)
@magbatt

I'm so sorry to hear of your continued battle with the evil EBV virus. As for Valtrex, I do not take it or any other pharma anti-Viral. I take the
protocol that was given to me by the staff ND at Bastyr Clinic. Astra-Isatis (2 tablets three times a day to start with, then twice a day.)
Lysine - (I started with 1,000mg twice a day then reduced it to once a day / or a split dose.) Monolaurin (Two or three times a day - don't
know the originally prescribed strength.) It took exactly days to know it was working. What an amazing difference! At one point, I found this
protocol on line along with the research to support it, but have not been able to find it recently. I have been taking it for nine years.

The Astra-Isatis can be difficult to find. I get mine at Bastyr by prescription, but have seen it online. (Made by Health Concerns) Cost's between $35
and $50 for 250 tablets. Monolaurin is not so easy to find either, and about the same price. I get mine at Bastyr, by prescription, but I have seen it on-line.
Lysine is cheap and available everywhere. You MUST take all three together for it to work in the beginning. I find that I can sometimes skip the
Monolaurin unless something triggers a reactivation. Do not use any kind of "energizers" that contain arginine out of desperation. Some research
shows that it dissolves the virus "capsule" and allows the virus to reactivate. Be careful - it's in almost all energy anythings, not always by name.
If it says "amino acids" you can bet there's arginine in it.

I can't say whether or not this will work for everybody, but it gave me back my life after years of mis-diagnosis (lupus) and misery.
Good luck to all! Magbatt

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your response, I will buy everything today on amazon and start asap, I have been sick for 2 month now and I am getting desperate...

REPLY
2 replies
Marianne | @mrmie | Sep 24, 2018
In reply to @jgee18 "Hello, I am having so much problems for two months now, I am swollen on my..." + (show)
@jgee18

Hello,
I am having so much problems for two months now, I am swollen on my entire lymphatic path, it has been a long painful story for me, the only abnormal tests were the EBV and my doctor is one that doesn’t understand it either...Im suffering beyond words...is the valtrex working for you? Plz advise, thank you
Jenny

Jump to this post

@jgee18 Hi Jenny. It's hard to say if the Valtrex (valacyclovir) is helping since I am doing other things as well. I'm at least hoping that it keeps me from going backwards. It may be more helpful for you since it sounds like you are in an acute phase in which it may be replicating with having those swollen lymph nodes. It may be worth discussing with your MD. Google valtrex and EBV to get some articles to share with your doc if needed. Wishing you speedy improvements!

REPLY
1 reply
luannkelly | @luannkelly | Sep 24, 2018
In reply to @mrmie "Hi @luannkelly! I'm glad you found this forum. I could have written your first post! I..." + (show)
@mrmie

Hi @luannkelly! I'm glad you found this forum. I could have written your first post! I came down with a bad case of mono just a month shy of 21 y/o and not long after recovery ended up with "persistent EBV infection." Unfortunately at that time the internet was not around so I accepted the diagnosis and lived part-time. My thirties went well except for a 9 month relapse. Currently, I am 46 and have been in a relapse for over 2 years. I have had to quit my job because I couldn't even work from home. I know I don't have to explain because you understand the frustrating fatigue. I missed plenty of birthday parties, weddings, and other activities with family and friends. At one point overdoing it was making breakfast! I have been a part of the medical community for over 25 years as an RN and unfortunately, they don't get it. That has been extremely disappointing for me. You are your own best advocate! Join online EBV support groups such as this. Learn about what is helping others. Research it and then make the best decisions you can for your health. I saw an infectious disease MD 2 years ago who dismissed me as they have dismissed others. There are some who have been helped by infectious disease though. It's just hard to find a good one. From what I have learned from fellow EBV sufferers is that it's usually diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes that help the most. In addition to some being helped by taking Valtrex (antiviral med that can be ordered by your primary care doc). I'm currently following a protocol (diet and supplements) by Dr. Bill Rawls who has suffered from Lyme, CFS, Fibromyalgia, and reactivated EBV. Definitely pace yourself! Even if you feel like doing a lot in one day -- don't. You will pay the price. I've learned from experience as I have improved (still a ways to go but am optimistic!). I am sorry for all the stress you are going through right now. That definitely hinders the immune system. Please don't give up, hang in there, be your own advocate, and lean on support groups even if it's just to vent. We have been there. 🙂

Jump to this post

Thank you Marianne, for the kind response. Today has been one of those do little, try to recharge the batteries kind of day. Last winter I spent a month in Texas visiting my brother and his wonderful family. I had hoped a change in scenery and time away from my toxic marriage would make me all better. I was sick almost the entire time even though I was so happy to be there. You are right about being your own best advocate, and careful pacing of activities. My labrador retriever is a godsend too. He makes sure I get fresh air and keep my throwing arm in shape. 🙂

REPLY
jgee18 | @jgee18 | Sep 24, 2018
In reply to @mrmie "@jgee18 Hi Jenny. It's hard to say if the Valtrex (valacyclovir) is helping since I am..." + (show)
@mrmie

@jgee18 Hi Jenny. It's hard to say if the Valtrex (valacyclovir) is helping since I am doing other things as well. I'm at least hoping that it keeps me from going backwards. It may be more helpful for you since it sounds like you are in an acute phase in which it may be replicating with having those swollen lymph nodes. It may be worth discussing with your MD. Google valtrex and EBV to get some articles to share with your doc if needed. Wishing you speedy improvements!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your response! Yes I have the entire lymphatic path swollen and I am in pain, one doctor placed me on prednisone and it didn’t help at all...I am getting desperate and crying at night because is the first time in my life I have been sick for two months now and I can’t even understand it...it’s very taxing even emotionally....Thank you for the advice, I will definitely do it...

REPLY
magbatt | @magbatt | Sep 24, 2018
In reply to @jgee18 "Thank you so much for your response, I will buy everything today on amazon and start..." + (show)
@jgee18

Thank you so much for your response, I will buy everything today on amazon and start asap, I have been sick for 2 month now and I am getting desperate...

Jump to this post

Hi jgee18 - two things. First, there was a typo in my post. It should have said it took exactly 10 days for me to feel better and know
the protocol was working. Secondly, please let me/us know how it works for you. Also, while you will probably have to go to Amazon
for the Astra Isatis and Monolaurin, the Lysine is pretty darned cheap at almost all drug stores - and on sale alot.
I am so anxious and hopeful for this to work for you like it worked for me. No more fibromyalgia pain, brain fog, aching muscles, extreme
fatigue and feeling like I had the flu all the time. Fingers crossed!

REPLY
2 replies
jgee18 | @jgee18 | Sep 25, 2018
In reply to @magbatt "Hi jgee18 - two things. First, there was a typo in my post. It should have..." + (show)
@magbatt

Hi jgee18 - two things. First, there was a typo in my post. It should have said it took exactly 10 days for me to feel better and know
the protocol was working. Secondly, please let me/us know how it works for you. Also, while you will probably have to go to Amazon
for the Astra Isatis and Monolaurin, the Lysine is pretty darned cheap at almost all drug stores - and on sale alot.
I am so anxious and hopeful for this to work for you like it worked for me. No more fibromyalgia pain, brain fog, aching muscles, extreme
fatigue and feeling like I had the flu all the time. Fingers crossed!

Jump to this post

I have been so depressed and upset seeing myself this ill, that I have been crying not understanding what was wrong with me...on July first I woke up with my pelvic, groin, and belly swollen and after the entire lymphatic path all over my body started to swell...we thought it was an allergic reaction...we tried anti allergic meds, diet, antihistamine meds, antibiotics, an aggressive plan of steroids with anti allergics, blood tests, allergies testing, all came back “normal” but the swollen persisted (until this day ,this minute) the pain everywhere, my armpits are swollen and in pain, my breast I can’t even touch it! , my neck, my face, my hands, my feet....and we didn’t get any answers...I thought I got cancer or something terminal! But not positive tests....until they did the EBV test and my antibodies came back super high! I am concerned though cz I haven’t come across anyone with so many days of inflammation...I see cases in pain, with lack of energy...but swollen like me for two months?....I am so depleted, so drained, so many questions...and I feel so ill...I am 36 y/o and I usually wake up and go straight to the gym, I am normally active and full of energy...and seeing myself in a bed for two months and barely starting gathering answers by myself bcz the doctors that I have visited about this they don’t know what I have and they haven’t been sympathetic...so I am trying to survive this by myself...with so many questions and so sick...thank you for your advice I have to do something myself so I will start that plan that you mentioned and see if there is some hope for me...

REPLY
2 replies
Marianne | @mrmie | Sep 25, 2018
In reply to @jgee18 "I have been so depressed and upset seeing myself this ill, that I have been crying..." + (show)
@jgee18

I have been so depressed and upset seeing myself this ill, that I have been crying not understanding what was wrong with me...on July first I woke up with my pelvic, groin, and belly swollen and after the entire lymphatic path all over my body started to swell...we thought it was an allergic reaction...we tried anti allergic meds, diet, antihistamine meds, antibiotics, an aggressive plan of steroids with anti allergics, blood tests, allergies testing, all came back “normal” but the swollen persisted (until this day ,this minute) the pain everywhere, my armpits are swollen and in pain, my breast I can’t even touch it! , my neck, my face, my hands, my feet....and we didn’t get any answers...I thought I got cancer or something terminal! But not positive tests....until they did the EBV test and my antibodies came back super high! I am concerned though cz I haven’t come across anyone with so many days of inflammation...I see cases in pain, with lack of energy...but swollen like me for two months?....I am so depleted, so drained, so many questions...and I feel so ill...I am 36 y/o and I usually wake up and go straight to the gym, I am normally active and full of energy...and seeing myself in a bed for two months and barely starting gathering answers by myself bcz the doctors that I have visited about this they don’t know what I have and they haven’t been sympathetic...so I am trying to survive this by myself...with so many questions and so sick...thank you for your advice I have to do something myself so I will start that plan that you mentioned and see if there is some hope for me...

Jump to this post

@jgee18 I think it's a great idea to follow magbatt's advice and stay in touch with your doctors as needed. Keep us posted!

REPLY
1 reply
jgee18 | @jgee18 | Sep 25, 2018
In reply to @mrmie "@jgee18 I think it's a great idea to follow magbatt's advice and stay in touch with..." + (show)
@mrmie

@jgee18 I think it's a great idea to follow magbatt's advice and stay in touch with your doctors as needed. Keep us posted!

Jump to this post

I will, thank you all for the help!

REPLY
luannkelly | @luannkelly | Sep 25, 2018

It's my understanding that chronic active EBV is at the onset of mono and continues long term. And chronic reactivated EBV is after a time or years of no symptoms following acute mono. Like me, I had acute mono at age 21, and after 6 months was fine. Then at age 52, a perfect storm of stress, grief, insomnia, depression and anxiety triggered a reactivation. It has been reactivated chronically for over 4 years now. My goal is that it can again be in remission so to speak.

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