Hi. I'm a 16 year old female that has quite a few medical problems, and two of them being Chronic Epsein-Barr Virus and CFS (Chornic Fatigue Syndrome). And at times I get very depressed about it all. Because I've had them now for 2 years and that's just the beginning of the them all. So I was just wondering if any of you might have any ideas on things that I can do to get my mind off of these probelms and help me not to get so down and depressed about them all the time. If you have any suggestions, I would be very greatful if you could e-mail them to me. Thank you all very much! Take care. God Bless!

------------------
The best things in life are worth waiting for! ~ If you love someone, tell them...don't wait, because you will never know when it's to late!

I really think our American diet and lifestyle has a lot to do with this!! I have a lot of the symptoms of CFS and the docs have believed I've had it for several years. I keep constant sinus infections and I have all my life!! Very tired most days but ocassionally I'll have a great day and feel like I can conquer the world!! Have you read the Yeast Syndrome? It gives some possible cures! I found out I had candidia (overgrowth of yeast) when I was pregnant with my first and couldn't take any meds for it until I quite breastfeeding so it had a chance to grow! A radical change in your diet may help!! My whole family has been plagued with sinus problems all our life and I feel like the constant use of antibiotics may have allowed the yeast problems! Allergies can make you seem exhausted, too!! I also have the Ebstein Barr!! Drink lots of water to flush out toxins, eat veggies, adequate sleep, and exercise!! Our bodies where not designed to take in the amount of junk, stress and etc we have become accustomed to! Go to your local library as there is wealth of info there, too!! Try to make a major change in your lifestyle now as the longer you wait the harder it gets!!! Since my doc found low thryoid I feel some better!! I think a lot of mine is allergies!! My chiropractor says to get off dairy products!! My litte girls ear infections stopped when I put her on soy milk!! Try eliminating a different food from your diet for one week, then add back and check your reaction!! It's like looking for a needle in a haystack when our symptoms are they same for so many different illnesses!!
Best of luck!!!

Yeast as in a vaginal yeast infection. I have had those all my life just about since I was 13. I just can't seem to get rid of them. Pretiszone(sp) was the only thing that helped one time. I even took that pill for yeast infections, it didn't work either.

hi Emily,
i got EBV, but not chronicle yet. I´ll start a Therapy this week against EBV. It´s called Nosoden-Therapy ( in Germany ) and it can heal EBV. But normal doc´s don´t do that I think, i needed to go to a nature doc. I don´t know how it is when it´s chronicle so, but I let you know how I´m doing.
take care http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Hi, This may sound a little strange, but I think that a magnetic mattress could help with the fatigue. I have heard of people that it has helped. It really is worth looking into. Barb

Hi Emily.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very, very effective in treating both CFS and depression.
I highly suggest you look into it.
sincerely,
Ken

Hi! I am sorry to hear that you have this problem - I have had the same exact problem. I got Epstein Barr (EBV) 7 years ago. My husband got it at the same time - his lasted a few weeks and mine lasted a long time. However, the good news is, you will probably start to feel better as time goes on. Now I am pretty much normal most of the time and have flare-ups (times when I feel bad) once in a while. I don't know why this virus is so rough on some of us and not others. I think some families just have a harder time fighting it off. Let me tell you some things that have helped me: First of all, try hard to think of this as temporary and that you will be starting to feel better. Most people with chronic mono get better over a five year period of time and then you are almost back to normal. Here are some things that are very important: No fast food, no soda, no red meat. Are you by any chance allergic to penicillin? I am and think the antibiotics in the meat trigger my epstein-Barr flare-ups. If you or your parents can buy some probiotics (acidophilus tablets or powder) these enhance your good bacteria and help your immune system fight off the bad stuff. It will really help you. Also grape seed extract is very helpful. If you will eat lots of fruit like oranges, tangerines, red grapefruit, and tomotoes and leave a lot of the white stuff on the fruit, it is packed with bioflavenoids (see Woman's World this week) and is really good for your immune system. Your doctor could also prescribe a suppressive dose of Zovirax that would help suppress the virus. Try not to take anything that stimulates your nervous system like caffeine or diet pills or anything that will set your nervous system off as these viruses are triggered by stress and anything that gets your nerves going. You have to try to get out of your depressive cycle because I think this keeps it going too. Go for a slow, casual walk on a beautiful day and notice everything beautiful you see - the sky, the clouds, flowers, children, dogs, cats, birds, try to find the beauty in everything. You will feel better, this is not forever! Please try the things I have mentioned because I know how difficult this is firsthand and have spent many years trying to figure out how to feel better, and with you being so young, I really want you to be well!! Also, I pray and have a lot of faith in God. He takes care of his children and wants to help those who ask him. It may not be immediate, but wait on the Lord and he will help you. Take care of yourself,
Love and prayers, Lesley