So I had a blood test this week, and the doctor said I have Epstein Barr. My symptoms have been fatigue, needing lots & lots & lots of sleep. I've been feeling this way, for the last 15 years or so...I always thought I might have something like this, but tossed it up to being on SSRI's.
As of late I have had some sore throats and low grade fever. So what's the difference between EBS and chronic fatigue?
Sooo, which do I have, or is it both? I'm quite confused now...
Thanks!
Last edited by vuitton; 01-13-2006 at 08:28 AM.
Reason: spelling edit
I too have Epstein Barr. I was diagnosed 6 years ago while pregnant with my second child. I too had been tired all my life and thought I was the laziest person on the planet. I was almost relieved to get a diagnosis and have a reason for the way I felt all the time.
The way it was explained to me was this. I had Mono when I was 9 and the type of mono I had caused the Epstein Barr. It remains dormant in our systmes for the most part are entire lives and rears it's ugly head under stress, illness pregnancy (which was my case).
I remember being so tired while pregnant I would just lay on the floor and cry.
My body ached and I also had terrible headaches all the time.
Taking good care of our selves is the key. Eat well take a good Vitamin and get as much rest and sleep as you can.
I too have EB virus and CFS. I have always joked about being a tired person, I am relieved to find out my problem. Now......what do we do about this? When I asked my Dr., he said to rest and take a suplements. Yeah, right.....I still feel tired. I am 48 and some days feel 90. Any suggestions will be appreicated.
Sherri
Once again, CFIDS is a complex illness and is not just about being tired all the time. The fatigue associated with CFIDS is profound and often every bodily system is affected in some way, at some time, as well.
A high percentage of the population has had EBV, so this alone is not a determinant of CFIDS. Because more people are now developing this curious illness, thankfully, more research is now being done. There is no cure, to date, but issues can be addressed as they arise.
I have located a true CFIDS specialist in NY (not just a doc who calls him or herself that!) If you suspect you might have CFIDS, I suggest you do as much research as you can and also try to find someone really knowledgable about this illness in your community. Unfortunately, uninformed Doctors often use the diagnosis of CFIDS as a catchall when they don't know what else to call something. There are other conditions that have symptoms similar to CFIDS - allergies, Thyroid issues, Lupus, etc. - so the first thing you may want to do is rule out these and other possibilities.
