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Dr. Stoll,
I have read many questions and each of your replies on this BB tonight and I am still very confused about Epstein-Barr Virus. I was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus one month ago and I have also been sick for 5 months now. I have had every test possible and what resulted from the tests is high levels of micoplasma pneumonia, high levels of legionella, high levels of Chylamidia pneumonia and high levels of 3 tests done for Epstein-Barr Virus. Also, my lung x-rays and chest CAT SCAN is clear. My symptoms are irritated lungs (constant, deep soreness in my lungs with constant coughing now for 5 months), I make a low, whistling noise when I breathe in and out, I shake and twitch at times, and it seems like I am always on the verge of twitching or shaking a lot, I also have dizziness a lot, and my head feels very pressured, my ears hurt and are blocked a lot, I have trouble focusing at times too, I also seem to walk like I'm drunk at times, I feel like I'm spinning and feel disoriented a lot, my right side of my jaw kills me in pain, which started about 1 week ago and I have a lot of trouble sleeping almost every night (I'm now forcing myself to try to get to sleep without taking Ambien (10mg), which I was taking every night to knock me out from all these symptoms and get me to sleep. I was told to get off of Ambien). My doctor told me I still have high levels of Micoplasma pneumonia as well as high levels of Epstein-Barr Virus, but my levels of Legionella and my levels of Chylamidia pneumonia have lowered to normal levels. Still, I'm told to be on 6 months of antibiotics (tetracycline) for the Chylamidia pneumonia. My doctor also said my lab tests, compared to a month ago, shows that my Epstein-Barr Virus levels have reduced but are still very elevated, which he says indicates that I had a recent exposure to EBV. My doctor also says that my symptoms are definitely caused by EBV. But you say they cannot be due to EBV because EBV is a FAD diagnosis and will never be diagnosed again in 5-10 years. You say the only way to get rid of my symptoms I've described is to reducing stress, get on a wellness program, think positively, change diet and basically control your mind to control your body. How can the symptoms I've described to you only be in my mind? How can so many other people on this BB also have the same symptoms and yet, you strongly state that you do not believe that EBV is a disease or that it can cause any of the symptoms I have described. I feel awful and and never had any of these symptoms at any time in my entire life (41 years) before I got sick last February. I have never had mono either, or at least I don't ever remember having mono. So what can I do? Are you suggesting that I just need to believe that this is just in my head and that I can control and permanently resolve my symptoms by changing how I think or changing my stress? You say I need to go after the source of my symptoms and that my symptoms CANNOT be caused by EBV. I'm willing to try anything that will help me feel better. Do you agree that my immune system is truly suppressed or is that in my head too (I'm not being sarcastic either - I just would really like to know your answers and thought about each of my questions and comments)? Do you also believe that I would benefit from 100 grams of IV vitamin C daily for 3-5 days? Could that hurt me to try? Please help. I appreciate your reply to each of my questions.
In Reply to: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 15, 2004 at 04:46:01:
Hi there... I don't think anyone would mean to imply you are making up symptoms... but that with changes in diet and attitude you can work through the symptoms.
For example... I haven't a clue what is wrong with me yet... and this has been an ongoing illness with acute recurring episodes.
But, by limiting stress and being on a healthy diet I can limit my symptoms and the acute episodes that I experience. Drugs aren't the only solution to a problem. I have learnt that if I do indeed have labrynthitis most sufferers have had wonderful results with a change of diet, healthy water intake and vitamin supplements.
Although I have very little money I am going to try to make these changes in my life.
I'm no medical expert so I can't comment on anything else :)
In Reply to: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 15, 2004 at 04:46:01:
Hi David,
If you have an active infection with mycoplasma, chlamydia
or ureaplasma, the tetracycline based meds like can
fail to eradicate mycoplsama.. Even the stronger
doxycycline and Minocycline can prove ineffective.
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/2521.html
Chlamydia causes asthma
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/9378.html
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/9155.html
Mycoplasma and chlamydia cause arthritis
http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/9094.html
Sjogrens and antibiotics
http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/g165.htm
C Reactive Protein and Heart attack
http://www.drmirkin.com/heart/1602.html
Most doctors will prescribe a week of Zithromax to cover
all the bases.
Good luck...
Ron
In Reply to: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 15, 2004 at 04:46:01:
Hi David:
While you're waiting for Dr. Stoll to answer, get a jump start on reading Pelletier's book Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer. This will answer your questions about how the stress we create with our minds affects our physical bodies. You've got a long road ahead of you, but with a better understanding of the concepts that Dr. Stoll presents, you'll be in a good position to make the lifestyle changes necessary to get better. Another good place to start is learning about Skilled Relaxation (SR) through the archives, article on home page, and the Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook that Dr. Stoll recommends. Good luck and hope you start to feel better soon.
In Reply to: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 15, 2004 at 04:46:01:
Epstein -Barr is not your diagnosis, it is just another symptom of what is going on with your body.
you know where your at.. Figure out how you got there. and change your route(foods, exercise, state of relaxation etc.)
Zithromax. then start rebuilding and retraineing your body and eating habits
SR / start the three legged stool.
eliminate the simple sugars and flavor enhancers from your diet especially MSG/ hydrolyzed veg proteins, foods with ADDed nitrites etc.... the cough and breathing will ease almost from day 1.. remember to drink adequate amounts of good ole water.....
(just one exposure to msg or foods with "natural flavors added" can set off my dizziness and starches will bring on my "fog brain" as I have not been strict enough with the foods I have been eating recently, I was careful about each bite that passed my lips for 2 years and was feeling great, then I slipped back into the bad habits.. the symptoms came back faster and worse then they ever)
In Reply to: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 15, 2004 at 04:46:01:
Hi, David,
Although the IV vitamin C might help for a while, it is not your solution. If everyone in the country was tested for EBV, in my opinion, nearly 20% would have a positive result and, if they had symptoms probably 50%. Twenty years from now that % will have nearly doubled.
Serious wellness is probably your best approach. Let us know how you are doing in about 6 months.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on July 16, 2004 at 06:37:39:
Dr. Stoll,
Thanks for your reply. I'm still confused. You say that IV Vitamin C could help for a while for me, but that won’t get to the root of my symptoms. I am very concerned that I may have permanent bronchial damage because of the whistling when I breathe in and out has still not gone away after 5 months and I have had 4 micoplasma pneumonia's in the past 5 years (I travel extensively worldwide for my job in sales and marketing, since 1999). I still cannot breathe well at any time and I have what is like asthma attacks, which last for days to weeks where it seems my bronchial passages become very inflamed, making it difficult for me to breathe. Do you think I have permanent damage to my air passages? This is my leading symptom and complaint through these past 5 months when I became ill - I have trouble breathing. My doctor is saying that my recent exposure to EBV is blocking my immune system to fight off my micoplasma pneumonia. Do you agree? Won't the IV vitamin C assist in boosting my immune system, maybe enough to at least help fight off the micoplasma pneumonia and maybe then help improve my breathing? Please advise. Thank you.
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by David Laba [2328.14] on July 16, 2004 at 09:25:14:
Hi, David.
"Post hoc, ergo propter hoc." This is a classical error of relationship in medical thinking. In my opinion, whoever said that your immunity was related to your EBV needs to be turned out to pasture and let you find a better doc. See the archives for holistic practitioners for a much better trained doc. Get copies of ALL of your medical records to have in your hand at the time.
The IV vitamin C can produce a cure but that is not the cause of your problem it is just dealing with the tip of the iceberg.
I would seriously consider wellness and see how much you improve in the next 6 months. Let us know. This may take you a couple of years to completely resolve.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on July 17, 2004 at 08:02:06:
7-17-04
Dr. Stoll,
What do you mean? I'm now more confused! I have been diagnosed with micoplasma pneumonia and EBV. The micoplasma pneumonia has been lingering in my lungs for 5 months now - my lungs are constantly hurting with deep irritation that has been with me for almost 6 months now. How do I get rid of this? I have been on 5 different types of antibiotics over the past 5 months and the itching deep in my lungs and the pain in my chest still remains. I was told by my doctor that I also have EBV, which he said is "getting in the way" of allowing the antibiotics to kill the micoplasma infection. Is that true? I am going nuts, finding a treatment plan for me to kill the micoplasma pneumonia (I mean this is crazy - it's been 5 months and no antibiotics so far can shake it - why?). I'm also getting concerned that this micoplasma infection may lead to abnormal cell growth like Cancer or something life threatening, because this infection in my lungs has not gone away yet and it’s been almost 6 months now. I have never had symptoms like this or last for this long in my entire life. I have also gone through a circus of doctors, and still, I'm sick today. My lungs hurt - plain and simple and when I breathe in and out, I hear a low whistle. My lungs have not returned to full capacity either. I do not breathe the same way I used to, before I got sick. So, no way will anyone ever convince me that my lungs irritation, the whistling, and the deep bronchial pain I have is in any way related to stress, or diet or only in my mind. This is not in my head. 5 months ago, before I became sick, I was breathing absolutely fine. I also had the same mind, before I became sick! I had no pain. There was no whistling. No coughing. No deep irritation like today, and like over the past 5 months. This is absolutely “clinical” and not at all psychosomatic. I have an infection in my lungs that won't clear. That’s what I have. You say EBV is something I just need to forget about because it is not a real diagnosis - and that I just need to consider changing my lifestyle (stress, diet, etc.), which you claim has caused my illness. My blood states factually that I have a micoplasma pneumonia infection. The pain in my lungs, the whistling when I breathe, and the chronic, deep bronchial coughing states the infection is deep in my lungs. You say I may need to get on a wellness program for two years in order to resolve this. When you talk about two years to resolve this, do you mean resolve EBV or resolve micoplasma infection? Well, what can I do clinically to kill the micoplasma pneumonia that I have had for 5 months now? What do I do for that? IV high dosage of vitamin C? Zithromicin for two weeks (I haven't tried that antibiotic yet)? I'm also taking tetracycline for the next 5 months (I've been on 1500mg per day for a month now) to treat Chylamidia pneumonia (and as you know, this is not “Chylamidia”) that I’ve also been diagnosed with. My doctor says I need to run the tetracycline 6-month cycle to be sure to get rid of the Chylamidia pneumonia infection. Can I also take Zithromicin with Tetracycline? Do you think Zithromicin can do the trick in killing the micoplasma pneumonia? Why won’t this micoplasma infection go away? Please help by answering ALL of my questions. Thanks, I appreciate it. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by David [2328.14] on July 17, 2004 at 22:43:27:
David,
Where did I say that your lifestyle had caused your mycoplasma??? I did say that a serious wellness lifestyle is your best bet for reversing this at this late stage.
The EBV diagnosis will not be made 20 years from now!
See if you can get any better answers from the docs who have been getting paid to treat you.
Why not give it a try? What do you have to lose?
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by Walt Stoll [9.8] on July 18, 2004 at 09:08:12:
7/18/04
Dr. Stoll,
Per your recommendation, I will definitely try a serious wellness lifestyle. I want to do this and definitely need to. I know I will benefit. However, what about my Micoplasma pneumonia infection? What do I do to treat that? Why won't the past antibiotics I’ve taken kill this? I feel like my lungs are infected – they hurt and whistle when I breathe in and out, I'm sweating so much too and my head feels really pressured. Plus my ears hurt a lot. I just feel like I have a bug in me, which is really nasty and I've felt that way for
5 months now. My lungs just hurt constantly. Can you advise me on the best treatment plan for micoplasma pneumonia ("walking pneumonia") infection - how can I kill this infection for good? What antibiotic do you recommend? I have already taken Biaxin, Doxicycline, Levaquin, Metronidazole (Flagyl), and now Tetracycline, which I've been currently on for the past month (1500mg per day) and told to stay on this for the next 5 months. Should I try Zithromicin to treat micoplasma pneumonia? Can I take Zithromicin AND Tetracycline at the same time? Did I not take Biaxin or the others long enough (I took them for 14 days)? Please let me know what you think I should do to kill micoplasma pneumonia infection once and for all – it has been lingering on for way too long now. Thanks. I appreciate your feedback. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by David [2328.14] on July 17, 2004 at 22:43:27:
David, have you tried an expectorant cough syrup? I was on velosef for a deep lung infection but I think the expectorant taken every four hours round the clock for a few days is what really helped clear it out. I never identified the bacteria.
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by David Laba [517.14] on July 18, 2004 at 12:05:07:
Eventually, David, the wellness will do it for you. In the meantime continue with whatever your allopaths can do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by Ron [205.81] on July 15, 2004 at 10:05:57:
Hi David,
How did I know about the mycoplasma pneumonia?
Have you been on Zithromax yet
Ron
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by Ron [205.81] on July 15, 2004 at 10:05:57:
Mycoplasma can fail to respond to Tetracycline and Minocycline...
Zithromax is your best bet. Of course, your mate may be able to reinfect you, or if you happen to be working in a hospital setting, it can be carried by droplet mist if you
are around infected people who cough or sneeze in your presence.
Ron
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by Arianwen [1521.74] on July 15, 2004 at 05:56:53:
Thanks for your help and sharing your personal stories. I am really sorry that you are ill and hope you get well. God bless. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (I knew it) posted by Ron [181.81] on July 18, 2004 at 22:44:11:
Ron,
Thanks for your suggestions. I see my doctor in two days and will ask to go on Zithromax for 7-10 days. Thanks again. God bless. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by Carol D. [634.155] on July 15, 2004 at 11:12:49:
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your suggestions and I will buy this book. Any other books you suggest? What is the name of the Skilled relaxation (SR) book that Dr. Stoll suggests? Thanks again. God bless. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus posted by Penny [1067.11] on July 15, 2004 at 13:21:28:
Penny,
Thanks for your help. I will look into your suggestions and will start on Zithromax in two days, when I see my doctor. Glad to hear you have found relief with your symptoms. Thanks again. God bless. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by Sally [2119.10] on July 18, 2004 at 13:50:05:
7-19-04
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your suggestion regarding cough syrups. I have been on two prescribed cough medications - one called Tussionex and the other called Mytussin. Both did not kill my lungs infection. Do you know if each of these is an expectorant cough syrup? Should I try another cough syrup that you suggest to get rid of my deep lungs infection? So far, FIVE different types of antibiotics still have not killed the infection (mycoplasma "walking" pneumonia). I am now willing to try Zithromax (Z-Pack), which I will start taking in two days when I see my doctor. Hopefully, "Z-Pack" will be the "key" that unlocks the door and kills this once and for all. FIVE months is way too long to have "walking pneumonia". Thanks again and any other suggestions you might have will be greatly appreciated. God bless. Dave
In Reply to: Re: Epstein-Barr Virus (A sign of the times.) Archive. posted by David Laba [517.14] on July 19, 2004 at 23:51:25:
Hi David, A cough syrup containing only guaifenesen is inexpensive and over the counter. Any drug store brand is fine. Guai is a substance that makes mucous less sticky. It can be prescribed in capsules also. Perhaps you can try this before the zithromax but I think it's important to stick as close to every four hours as possible.
Well wishes!
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