Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can EBV Cause This

Have been having lightheadedness and Back of the head numbing feeling on and off for 8 mos now,  The following is a list of test I have had, Will be going to see a neuro the end of this month any hope for me?

Up until Dec 07, I lived a robust life,  Smoked, Drank, ate whatever.  Then I began to have these symtoms to include Chest Pain, Dizzy, Lightheaded, Numbing on the back of the head, Minor ab Pains, Tired all the time.  At this point in my life (46) I did not even have a primary doc.  I found one he ran blood work and the only thing he could come up with was high Epsten Barr numbers, this was in Jan,advised he would see me again in 30 days. 30 days later same results. But to quite me I have had the following test.  Full cardiac work-up, Colonscopy/Endoscopy (2) C.T. Scans 1-AB and 1-Heart/Chest   2-Chest X-rays, 2-MRI (c-spine and brain) Tons and Tons of blood work, ALL NORMAL.  My issue are still the lightheadedness and minor chest and ab disconfort.  My primary says the EBV numbers are of no further interest and should not be causing my problems.  I have been to a Infectious Disease Doc and 2 Heart Docs, No one can help me.  I need any thought as to what to do next to help my problems.   P.S. Have not smoked since Jan 15th
18 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Bump
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks I will look at the website and wait on my Neuro Appt.  Yipee LOL
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Blood Test back Neg. for Lyme  which is what was suspected Now what Facial numbness 2day
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My EBV was not really addressed. My Doctor said everyone has some EBV in them at some point in their lives, but sometimes the test show a more active and higher amount of the virus in the individual.  I was given Vitamin B-12 shots weekly for a few months, seemed to help, but it is hard to go in to Dr. office and wait for hours every week, just to get a shot, when you are not feeling well, and tired.  I like to take the natural approach and try to take vitamins, which have helped somewhat. The problem is that when you have EBV you don't look sick, so when you say you are tired, people say "we're all tired", they don't understand that the fatigue that you feel when you have EBV is debilitating, and it is hard to get out of bed, you feel like you have the flu all the time.   There is a website that deals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and sells vitamins which are specific to the problems you are encountering.  EBV and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are all inter-connected. I think it is www.Prohealth.com   Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the info.  I have had extreme fatigue off and on for at least 15 years.  I was told I have EBV.  I don't think I have Lyme disease.  You are making me think, because even though I told you I live in the city and am never standing on grass, I do go to Florida at least once a year, to visit my family, and I am definitely in grassy areas there.  No Doctor has ever thought to test me for Lyme disease. Is the test a blood test? Are symptoms similar to EBV - fatigue, muscle weakness, pain in extremities, etc.  Could I have gotten it 15 years ago, and still suffer from it without realizing I was bitten? A lot of us on this website, are suffering, and Doctors can't seem to find an answer to painful tingling, pins and needles, and numbness in soles of feet, toes, ankles and legs.  Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How was your EBV addressed??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Living in the city does not mean you can't get lyme.  NY is an endemic state.  Ticks are everywhere.  They are small and easy to miss.  Not saying you have this but it is possible.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
P.S.  What did your Docs do for the EBV besides treat the symptoms?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the info,  As I stated above have been to many docs and spent many$$$$ on testing and the docs are begining to get tired of me,  I was the one that suggested to my primary and IM to look at Lyme, seems they would have LOOKED at this on their own.  I am not so sure about Lyme But other than EBV there is nothing else that I know of to look at.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been living with EBV for at least 15 years, it is sometimes more active than other times, always shows up on blood test, but the #'s depend on how active EBV is at the moment. I have EBV, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as I've told you before.  It is hard to function normally when it is active.  You feel exhausted, like if you have the flu, Doctors don't take it seriously, and act like it is in your head.  I have recently been tested for various diseases because I have a new pain -  severe tingling, pins and needles, numbness in foot, toes, ankles, leg and right arm.  MRI of brain showed no MS, blood tests negative for lupus, only test that came back positive was for Rheumtoid Arthritis, an autoimmune form of arthritis. Went to a Rhematologist last week, pooh poohed my tests because they are low not even moderate RA.  I know what I feel, it may be low to the Doctor, but it is excrutiatingly painful to me.  I'm telling you this because Dr. said maybe it is a severe form of fibromyalgia, which people get when they have EBV, fibromyalgia is when you feel all your muscles are sore, your entire body is sore.  I am currently taking Neurontin, and it is helping the pain a little.  I think I will ask for Cymbalta instead, because it treats nerve pain, fibromyalgia and is also used as an anti-depressant, and then I wouldn't have to take too many other pills, just hopefully this one.
Never got bitten by a tick, because I don't go out at all in any grassy area, I live in the city, so I never thought the fatigue and pain could be from Lyme.  Any idea what else could be causing all these painful tingling symptoms?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not that I know about, But from what I have read alot of people do not recall or have the bullseye rash that comes with it.  And that the tick can be the size of a period in this post.
Helpful - 0
581210 tn?1220834780
Did you get bitten by a tick?

http://www.****.***
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have been tested 3 times for H. Pylori 2 with blood 1 with a sample taken during my Colonscopy/Endoscopy Negative results.  How have you dealt with your EBV and have you ever thought it may be Lyme?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you been tested for HPylori, it is an organism that lives in the GI tract and can cause, some of the symptoms you described. I had it, and was given anti-fungal RX and a protocol of how to get rid of it. I also have Epstein-Barr and it can cause a lot of problems, GI, dizziness, headaches, nausea, fibromyalgia.  The Doctors do not take EBV seriously, they say everyone has some EBV in them.  If they were suffering with it, they would research it further. Look into Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's book, I think it is called from "Fatigued to Fantastic". He believes in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also a result of EBV, and has some suggestions of how to "cure" EBV
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can a Nuero help with this and also lookin to Lyme?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
P.S. Have a Nuero appt this month
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
On prevacide (for years) and now my Gastro has put me on Dicyclomine, which has helped my ab pains somewhat and also made me regular have only been on it a few days.  The numness and lightheaded/ numbing in the jaw area have not lessened.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

How are you?
Your symptoms of chest pain, abdominal discomfort, dizziness and numbness on the back of head can be due to GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease. This may be the starting point so there were no changes seen on endoscopy.
What medications are you currently on?
Another possibility could be pains due to gas formation.
Do you have regular bowel movements?
I would suggest you to eat a soft bland diet, exercise regularly, avoid caffeine and alcohol and take an OTC antacid for a few days and see if it helps.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease