May 19 2009
Epstein Barr Virus Infection and Auto Immune Disease
Epstein Barr virus infection is a possible trigger for various auto immune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome. Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system produces auto antibodies to an endogenous antigen. This causes inflammation and injury to body tissues.
Although Epstein Barr virus infection is usually self-limiting, auto immune disease is considered to be a permanent degenerative disease. Due to this permanent nature, long term therapy is necessary. Conventional medicine offers anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids, however the toxic side effects of these drugs may rival the disease in their degenerative effects.
Fortunately there is a lot that can be done with natural therapies for both Epstein Barr virus infection and for auto immune diseases.
The aim of auto immune natural treatment is to reduce the levels of auto antibodies, inhibit inflammation and repair tissues, without the adverse side effects of conventional medicine.
The first priority is to optimize digestive function with a good healthy diet and digestive enzymes like pancreatic concentrates and Betaine HCl. This will reduce antigen absorption commonly seen in patients with auto immunity.
Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is associated with the development of auto immunity so normalizing microbial balance of the gastrointestinal tract is vital. Acidophillus and bifido bacteria plus a range of other probiotics are easily sourced from pharmacies and health food shops. Bowel and liver detoxification can be done regularly in order to reduce antigens and circulating antibodies.
The next step is to get onto some anti-inflammatory nutrients like high dose vitamin C, zinc, and fish oils. Foods like turmeric, rosemary oil, ginger and reishi mushroom are also powerful anti-inflammatories.
Lastly a low carb, high protein diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and pure water is important. A healthy diet will help with tissue repair and also minimize tissue inflammation.
If you or a loved one are suffering from an Epstein Barr virus infection, or the virus has triggered an auto immune disease, then natural therapies may offer you a solution. All these techniques discussed above are outlined in the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.
Elizabeth has recovered from chronic Epstein Barr virus infection herself, and treated thousands of people successfully through her clinics.
17 responses so far
here is my question, I had Mononucleosis when i was fifteen. It took nearly a year to feel better.
I regained most of my energy back but was never fully the same. I have battled fatigue, and tire easily. I also have bad circulation and couldn’t handle winters without constant joint pain and purplish hands and feet this has progressed as i have gotten older. could having mono affected me permanently? i now live in a warm climate and have not suffered joint pain but still become tired easily.
Linda
Hi Linda,
The Epstein Barr virus that causes mono can cause fatigue for many months or years after infection. In severe cases
it is re-classified as post-viral syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I would recommend you start on some magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C in order to support your adrenal glands. Eat small, frequent meals, high in protein and low in processed carbs. Get enough rest and some regular exercise, and hopefully you will find your stamina improves. You may also need to check with your doctor that you do not have other conditions like anaemia or an underactive thyroid that can also cause fatigue.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, Ihad mono back when I was a young teen, in my 40’s I developed Myasthenia Gravis & then Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and then allergies & asthma. Now at 61 the MG is up & down w/ the weather being over tired if I get a cold you name it it acts up & along w/ allergies. Any suggestions for me.
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for your post. Sorry to hear you are struggling with your health. It can be very worrying.
With any auto immune disease, it is essential to cleanse the body of toxins, acids and pathogenic bacteria. I would recommend you start on a gentle gastrointestinal and liver cleanse. You can normally get basic cleansing kits from a naturopath or good health food shops.
For Myasthenia gravis, high dose magnesium, the B complex and fish oils are important for optimal nerve and muscle control. For your allergies, vitamin C, zinc and herbs like garlic,
fenugreek and horseradish are great.
With the complexity of your condition I would suggest you see a holistic doctor who can guide you and monitor your progress.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Hello,
I had mono when I was 12 and at 23 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid, now at 33 my doctor says I have Hashimoto’s. I take a synthetic hormone daily, but would like to stop. My reading has lead me to think that this mono virus still lives in my thyroid and that is why I have developed Hashimoto’s, what do you recommend?
Thanks,
Jenn
Hi Jenn,
Thanks for your post. Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.
It is possible that the Epstein Barr virus that causes mono has played a part in
its development.
Once you start on synthetic hormones it can be hard to get off them. There are
natural ways to support your thyroid health however it is advisable to work
closely with your doctor or a holistic practitioner to see if they can wean you off
the synthetic hormones.
Here is a link to a recent blog I wrote regarding treating the thyroid naturally:
http://www-epsteinbarrvirus.com/blog/complications-of-mono/healingyourthyroid/
I hope it helps.
Best Wishes
Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth, I’m desperately in need of some help. I had mono when I was 16 and then again at 26, so I’ve had CMV and EBV mono. After the last time I never recovered. I kept going to doctors and insisting that something was wrong with me. Finally, almost 4 years later, and a much weaker me, I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Autoimmune illnesses don’t run in my family, but susceptibility to allergies, asthma, and mono do. I’ve tried nearly every natural remedy there is to try to feel better, and nothing helps. I was wondering if olive leaf extract might work. I did give it a try once, and might have experienced the die-off effect, so I quit. What do u think? Years of healthy eating and vitamins have not been the answer for me, and the Synthroid I got put on about a month ago actually lowered my thyroid function, wich my doctor says is normal at first. (I wonder if he knows what he’s talking about there.) Anyway, feeling worse than ever, with a general feeling of malaise and no available remedies left to try. Please offer dome suggestions if you can. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank, Crystal
Hi Crystal,
Thanks for your post. Sorry you’ve had such a hard time with mono.
Olive leaf extract is an excellent immune booster that I get good
results in my patients with. Some people do get die-off reactions
as the virus and other microbes are killed off and eliminated
from the body. I would start at a quarter or half a dose and work up
slowly over a few days to the full dose. Drinking plenty of water,
resting your body and taking hot Epsom salt baths can help
mininise reactions.
Your low thyroid function would certainly be contributing to
your fatigue and malaise. You may find some useful info
from this recent article I wrote on natural thyroid solutions:
http://www-epsteinbarrvirus.com/blog/complications-of-mono/healingyourthyroid/
I hope you start to get some positive results soon.
Regards
Elizabeth
Hello,
I am a 49 y/o female who had mono at age 15. Since then, I have periodically had bouts with fatigue–sometimes severe. The heat makes it worse. For nearly 30 years I have had freaky neuro dysfunction. Until three years ago, it would only last a few minutes or a day at most.
Out of the blue, in 2007, I was hit with numbness/tingling and parts of my body not working right. I had cold or hot feelings in my head, buzzing sensations in my head and legs–I could go on and on. It moved around (like if you played with the breakers in your house switching off and on.) All blood work was normal. They sent me for an MRI suspecting MS. They found no lesions. I was subsequently diagnosed with neuropathy. After three months the symptoms stopped just like turning off a light switch.
I have exercised nearly everyday since I was 30 and I try to eat healthy–most of the time. I take vitamins A & D, E, C, as well as a calcium and magnesium supplement. I take no meds even when I do have pain. I limit alcohol and caffeine, and I quit smoking a year ago. I do have a very stressful job and it is extremely stressful from January to May.
For the past few months I have experienced extremely dry eyes, mouth, and even my lungs feel dry sometimes–yet my ears are greasy every morning. Also some days, I have an exremely difficult time with buttons and even bathing. No pain or swelling in hands, just really uncoordinated. It is not this way everyday though. On those days I can barely walk around the block like I’m 90. Most days I can walk a mile like nothing is wrong. On Friday my entire face went numb for an hour or so. Then my throat got numb and stayed that way the rest of the day. I have started having all over muscle weakness and fatigue again and all over feelings of “numbness” (like from the inside out) but if I touch the outside, I can feel just fine.
I am now having to get up at 4:30 to get to work at 8:30. Most days I am late now. I am thankful to have an understanding boss. Getting up this early, I am so exhausted by 7:30, many times I go to sleep w/o supper.
I have spent so much money on testing over the years and I still don’t really know what to do. I don’t believe in taking drugs and I have felt that way all of my adult life.
In the last few days, I have started keeping a journal recording everything I eat, what exercises I did, what the weather was like and how I felt. Maybe there will be some correlation. I am at a loss and desperate for relief. Any suggestions?
Hi Kai,
Thanks for your post. I’m sorry to hear you have been having such an awful time with your health. It must be very worrying for you.
It sounds like you are taking some excellent supplements plus eating and exercising well. I would also be adding a good high
potentcy B complex and some high dose omega 3 oils to optimise nerve and cell function. It is a good idea to start keeping
a diary of your symptoms. They may be related to your diet, environment or stress.
Stress may be the weak link which you need to focus on. Is there any way to can work closer to home or change jobs so there is less stress?
Alternativley doing daily meditation, visualization or deep breathing may help you cope better.
It would also be worth seeing a holistic practitioner who can assess you physically and rule out secondary conditions like sarcoidosis, neurological damage
and stealth infections like Chlamydia pneumonia or mycoplasma.
I hope you get some answers soon.
Elizabeth
.
At the age of 10, I developed type 1 diabetes immediately following a bout of mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Usually the cocksackievirus is implicated in type 1, but it doesn’t surprise me to see a general autoimmune disease link with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Hey elizabeth
well im 13 and very confused right now.
see i was diagnosed with a severe case of epstien barr syndrom
and according too the hospistal iva had it in my system for quit a while
and according too them i will continualy have side affects. and another case of it.
so since then i tire easily and i have severe headaches that sometimes affect my vision.
i dont know if there is anything i can do about those and also sometimes i get fevers for a good hour then they disapear?
also i sometimes get really bad breakouts on my face before i have a mono break out the doctor says this could be because of my mono?
Hi Lauren,
Sorry to hear you are ill with Epstein Barr. This is a latent virus that can return when you are run down or under stress. Most people however get over the initial infection
fully with no long term problems. The headache, fever and fatigue are common in Epstein Barr. The acne may just be your age or it may be worsened by a
hormonal imbalance caused by the virus. Fortunately there is a lot you can do with natural therapies to help your recovery.
Your priority is to get your immune system fighting off the virus with high dose vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A. You will also need to repair your adrenal glands
and boost your energy with magnesium and the B complex.
A low carb, high protein diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and pure water is important. Some anti-inflammatory foods and anti-viral herbs will also help.
If your symptoms persist you may need to do some livercleansing in order to clear the virus from your system.
All these techniques are outlined in my e-book and have been used with good results by many patients who have had similar conditions.
With the e-book, you also get free email support for 30 days if you need further guidance on your individual concerns.
I hope this answers your questions. Elizabeth
I am a 42-year old woman that had mono at 17, it was a very severe case, so severe that I
almost hospitalized. I have struggled with dibilitateting fatigue ever since, somtimes I have
more energy than others. I find that eating more fruits, vegies, and whole grains and
drinking lots of water really help! My mobility has been affected by my MS; however, I’m
still able to work out at the gym! Lately I’ve been trying to work out on a regular basis, but
I come home most of the time, very fatigued. My question is: “Is there any kind of
supplement that I can take or foods I can eat to help give me more energy to last the
whole day through?” I feel better when I watch my diet and workout, but I’m ready for bed
when I get home, and I’ve got alot to do! I would also like to know if I can get it again,
since the virus stays in your system? If so, how can I avoid it?
Dawn
Hi Elizabeth. I’m so glad I found this blog. Anyway – I first had a nasty bout of mono when I was 16 years old. I was sick for a good 9 months till I was back to my old self. Had the rash, jaundice, fatigue, sore throat, swollen spleen, etc… Later that year I was also dx with IBS. When I was 17 I ended up with a case of pneumonia that took months to get rid of. After that I was ok for about 4 years at which time I developed severe mouth ulcers – 25 were able to be counted, severe muscle and joint pain – could barely function. I also developed very strange bumps all over my legs. They looked like bruises and were swollen – like someone had taken a baseball bat to my legs. Had on biopsied and I never was able to be diagnosed. This went on for about 2 months – barely graduated from college. Then I was ok again. I really didn’t have many problems after that until I had my daughter at age 33. I had a rough pregnancy with pre-eclampsia and was exhausted after having her – completely chalking it up to being a new mom. About a year after she was born, I was diagnosed once again with mono. This time wasn’t near as bad as the first. It is now 3 years later and I am still not right!! I’m always tired – literally could spend days in bed with and never feeling that I’ve slept enough. I’m always sick. I feel like I should wear a surgical mask with how sick I get. Doctors blame it on my kid being in daycare, and at first I did to, but now I’m having a hard time with that explanation. When I wake in the morning I have to stretch for about 5 -10 minutes before I even get out of bed or I hurt to bad to move!
So my main question is – do you automatically have EPV if you’ve been dx with mono? I’m having a hard time just finding a doctor that believes I’ve actually had mono twice!
Thank you!
Melissa
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for your post. I am sorry to hear you have been suffering
with fatigue. This symptom is the most common one that lingers
after mono. It sounds like you are eating properly. Many of my patients
get good results with their energy levels on the higher
protein diet outlined in my e-book
For fatigue, your priority should be to repair your adrenal glands with
magnesium, the B complex and vitamin C. The omega 3 oils like those
found in fish oils have also be shown in research trials to help fatigue.
CoQ10 is also useful to boost the energy supply in your cells.
If your fatigue continues despite the above advice, you may need to
do a liver cleanse. The liver is often sluggish or congested in cases
of chronic tiredness. Even just starting on the lemon juice in warm
water on rising would be a positive step.
The virus can relapse if you are run down or stressed so the above
advice should help.
I hope you get some good results.
Elizabeth
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for your post. It must be very frustrating for you getting sick all the time – especially when you have a young child.
Mono is usually caused by EBV (Epstein Barr virus), although sometimes it can be caused by other viruses like CMV
(cytomegalovirus). Your blood tests will determine the virus involved.
Once you have had mono, the Epstein Barr virus remains in your body for life. It can be triggered by stress, immune suppression
or other illnesses. Most people manage to keep it under control, however about 6% of infected people get relapses. If your
doctor does not believe you can get mono twice, then you may need to find a doctor who specialises in immune problems and
can advise you appropriately.
Fortunately there is a lot you can do with natural therapies to help your recovery. Your priority is to boost your immune system with
high dose vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A and herbs. A low carb, high protein diet with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and
pure water is important. Some anti-inflammatory foods and anti-viral herbs will also help.
If your symptoms persist you may need to do some liver cleansing in order to clear the virus from your system.
All these techniques are outlined in my e-book and have been used with good results by many patients who have had similar conditions.
With the e-book, you also get free email support for 30 days if you need further guidance on your individual concerns.
I hope this answers your questions.
Kind Regards
Elizabeth