Epstein Barr and Chronic Fatigue Archives

15 yrs of EBV

Dear Dr. Stoll,
I am a 44 year old female. I have battled EBV for at least 15 years. I was finally diagnosed 10 years ago. I have been treated with a very long list of anti-depressants, the only one of which worked for any length of time was Pamalor (Nortriptylin 50mg, 1 a day). However the side effects were becoming unacceptable. Urination had become almost impossible. Sometimes 36-48 hours before my bladder would empty.

My most recent treatment was Effexor with Wellebutrin. About 6 weeks ago it began to fail as well.

I also take Synthroid, Ziac 5/6.25 (for high blood pressure), Danazol (for endomitriosis), a basic multi vitamin, Prevecid (for H. Hernia). I swear I didn't take this many drugs in the 70's!

A year ago I began to have dizzy rushes that sounded (in my head)like styrofoam being forced through the veins in my head. My Dr. blew it off. Finally put me on blood pressure medicine which helped for a few months. Now the dizzy rushes are worse, on top of all other EBV symptoms.

I feel I have read everything on EBV, including every post, link, etc. here. With nausea and confusion two of the major symptoms of this virus, you can understand how I feel at this point. The more I read, the more nauseas, confused and desperate I become.

Two months ago I, (along with hundreds of other people) was laid off from a company I had worked for with for 18 years. Since then,the symptoms have returned and I don't have the energy or ability to look for another way to support myself. I had to quit my daily (exercise) workouts, which had been a part of my life for 5 years. I don't leave the house for 5-6 days at a time. Then I have to get milk!

There are so many things I want to do, but can't. I was excited about starting a new career, finding so many new creative outlets that I couldn't wait to get out of bed everyday. Sometimes I would get up at 3 or 4am because I couldn't wait to get back to something I had started.

Then the symptoms started again.

I understand from what I have read that you believe building your imune system will force the virus back into dormancy. Can you tell me simply and specifically how. I am a healthy eater; low fat, very little sugar, no caffine, watch my blood sugar and foods that raise it too fast, etc. I guess what I want is a grocery list. Tell me what to take (vitamins, etc) and what to do to get my life back.

The curse of EBV is that it WON'T kill you. You get to feel like this while you wait for something ELSE to kill you. I would welcome the calm that I can only imagine exists on the after side of this hell. I watch the rest of the world and wonder where they find the energy to do so much. Then I remember when.

Can you help? You're the flashlight at the end of my tunnel!

thanks for your time,
Brenda

Re: 15 yrs of EBV (Archive under EBV.)