Epstein-Barr Treatment for Long Covid?

Posted by snakexeyes @snakexeyes, Jul 28, 2022

First, a little background: I'm 9 months in to Long Covid and just ended a treatment regimen designed by the InCellDx / Innovative Bioanalysis research group (Dr. Patterson et al). After 4 months of many medications that produced no results and only decreased my quality of life with side effects, I'm calling it. The only medication that improved my functioning was Ivermectin (which did so dramatically), but even that has plateaued for several months now. I'm now waiting until the end of October to be seen at Stanford's Post-Acute Covid Syndrome clinic and have little to no hope for that either.

The only explanation for my Long-Covid that has ever made sense to me is the theory that the virus re-activates latent Epstein-Barr in the blood. I had a very bad case of mono from age 15-17 that absolutely wrecked me, and some of my covid symptoms resemble my experience of mono, so this theory makes sense to me. For those of you who resonate with this theory and are seeking / have found treatment based on this assumption, what are you doing for treatment? Are you being prescribed medications, infusions, etc? I would be so grateful to hear about anything you may be doing or may have heard others are doing. Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

frking | @frking | Jan 3, 2023

In reply to @law59 "I’m 59. Extreme EBV 20’s and 30’s. Changed to high protein and all natural eating, daily..." + (show)

@law59

I’m 59. Extreme EBV 20’s and 30’s. Changed to high protein and all natural eating, daily strength exercise not exerting heart that enabled exceptionally healthy remission for over 20 yrs. and built up to strenuous 4-5 house a day housekeeping business. Mild Covid Feb 2022. March ER extreme chest pain tachycardia, whole body waves random area numbness, any movement cause malaise/difficulty breathing, bp 160/110 and over 20 point reading difference right side vs left. Ct chest extensive tissue damage, lung nodules, stated symptoms long term covid, no med. Referral additional resources yet nothing to help. Month same above with neurological problems/“brain fog”, O2 sats random down to 70’s, extreme chest and head pain more left sided, red 1 inch round and 1 inch deep painful bumps started on stomach then other painful joint episodes hip, around/in neck harder to breath, back, thighs and now random chest rash. April labs pituitary/thyroid affected and no symptoms improvement with med. Critical care md pulmicort, only used month until extreme chest pain lessened as no other symptom help and steroid. Lots of water during day with only walking to bathroom did help lower bp. Extreme symptoms at night being helped by meditating, citrus gummy’s for salivary glands not working. Neurologist August for July brain MRI stated covid created brain lesions and benign growth and will “be fine”. Speech Therapist Sept for breathing issues brought on by talking however only able to address cognitive/memory issues and seeing improvement. Glasses prescribed for covid vision impairment but not effective when eye muscles get tired from any movement.
Any repetitive movements as typing, talking, writing still bring on difficulty breathing and any other myriad of symptoms. Still no rhyme/reason, cause/effect but can feel a little improvement by focusing on moment feel numbness or any increase/new symptom make sure off feet, head elevated, eating small high protein every couple of hours. Share all this to say if I can see light end of tunnel with no income, disability benefits, and the stress of this post covid has me talking to mental health provider, I kindly urge anyone reading this to never doubt its real and truly take all measures to care for yourself to cherish every moment.

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I saw a truly trained functional medicine nurse practitioner who works with a functional medicine doctor. ( they can bill insurance) since there is no no cure for the Covid virus, I was treated as if I had Epstein Barr since it is also a virus. It hasn’t cured me, but has made improvements.

nataliem | @nataliem | Jan 4, 2023

In reply to @frking "I saw a truly trained functional medicine nurse practitioner who works with a functional medicine doctor...." + (show)

Would you mind sharing what has helped you? Many of us have not been so lucky when searching for professional advice. Thank you!

gillysmom | @gillysmom | Jan 9, 2023

In reply to @frking "I saw a truly trained functional medicine nurse practitioner who works with a functional medicine doctor...." + (show)

So good for your healing and relief. Please be kind enough to share the detals of what treatments have worked...name brand, dose, how taken, and any other details that would support effective treatment. Thank you.

gillysmom | @gillysmom | Jan 10, 2023

In reply to @gillysmom "Finding your post is my lucky day. Today I decided I fit the EBV model of..." + (show)

ME TOO!

jocelyn77 | @jocelyn77 | Mar 16, 2023

I started taking Valtrex once a day. Within 24hrs my brain fog lifted. I was sleeping 12hrs a day, the fatigue has gotten better and I'm hopeful I'm on the path to recovery.

jocelyn77 | @jocelyn77 | Mar 16, 2023

In reply to @julesmango "I too had mono at 19. Now long Covid 19 months. I think EBV was reactivated...." + (show)

I just started Valacyclovir and it helped with the brain fog. How are you feeling? How long did you have to take this medication for?

bekah | @bekah | Mar 17, 2023

My doctor recommended NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) to help with the brain fog, and it started helping almost immediately. It's an over-the-counter supplement.

rsfcowgirl | @rsfcowgirl | Mar 18, 2023

In reply to @bekah "My doctor recommended NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) to help with the brain fog, and it started helping..." + (show)

I began taking it and it also worked immediately for me. I found a local provider team who also gave me a short course of methylprednisolone as well. We held back in an antiviral for other medical reasons. But the NAC was like a brain reboot.

birdiemomma | @birdiemomma | Mar 18, 2023

In reply to @bekah "My doctor recommended NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) to help with the brain fog, and it started helping..." + (show)

I tried taking that and suffered some bad side effects - GI issues such as sour stomach, bloating and gas. It did help, but I had to stop taking it!

bekah | @bekah | Mar 18, 2023

In reply to @birdiemomma "I tried taking that and suffered some bad side effects - GI issues such as sour..." + (show)

Oh, so sorry! Luckily for me it has not had any side effects.

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