Today I was seen by my allopathic internist doctor for the first visit since my EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) infected me last August. At the onset I was treated by a different Dr. who seemed to know alot more about the condition. Unfortunately, she is currently raising a family and is out of work, so I have been unable to continue to see her.
I have read Dr. Stoll's and am reading "Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer" I am also doing vitamin therapy, "skilled relaxation", light exercise and watching what I eat. I have asked for blood tests to determine my levels of DHEA, HGH, testosterone, and he will be checking my adrenal function, liver function and thyroid and a some other related things, to see if there is something else going on.
When I described my condition, fatigue, diminished motivation, short attention span, difficulty concentrating, sleepiness, fog head, etc he indicated I should try taking an antidepressant called citalopram, a so called SSRI drug. Is this really indicated for a person with EBV. He seemed to be writing my condition off as, there is really nothing that can be done for "chronic fatigue syndrome" except to get to the root of the problem which is your mood. Elevate the mood by taking this seratonin uptake drug and it should help to regulate your other visceral functions like your adrenals, digestion, sleep, etc.
Does this seem like an accurate diagnosis and partial cure for EBV? Will taking this drug make me dependent on it. Can it potentially cause harm to my intestinal track and exaccerbate LGS (leaky gut syndrome) which I seem to have conquered?
Your advise is appreciated.
Follow Ups:
Re: EBV and Antidepressants
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 25, 1998 at 09:35:42:
In Reply to: EBV and Antidepressants posted by Gui Jimenez on September 24, 1998 at 18:44:22:
Dear Gui,
What this clinician is admitting, whether he realizes it or not, is that it is the terrific strain on the immune system caused by the storage of fight or flight in the hypothalamus that we have been discussing here on this BB for years, that causes EBV.
Unfortunately, taking a drug like this will just cover some of the symptoms for a while & NOTHING about the causes.
If you have not read the archives (on this site) about this subject, you should start there. The more you understand, the better choices you will make!
Walt