Living with CMV, Cytomegalovirus, HELP!!!

The New-Test Forum - Airbourne Allergies

FromTo
I was recently diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus (CMV). I have read up on the virus to educate myself but there is still so much I don't understand. My main problem is that the symptoms are whipping me daily. My main symptoms are: chronic fatigue, nightly low-grade fevers (99.5 F to 100.5 F), loss of appetite, and night sweats. I am a teacher and school will be starting soon. I just don't know how I am going to manage my routine. With no treatment for CMV, my doctor has me on Phenergan for my nausea and Prevacid for the stomach upset. The Phenergan knocks me out even if I only take a half tablet. Yet I have to take at least half a tablet to get past the nausea. Even without the medicine, my fatigue is getting the better of me. I can wake up at 6am and by the time noon comes around I feel like it's 2am and that I am way past my bedtime. Are there any herbal supplemenmts or medicines that can help me, or do I need to start drinking 5 Red Bulls a day to stay awake? I am so frustrated. Sometimes it's like having morning sickness all day long except for the fact that I am not pregnant. I can't eat anything hot. When I can eat, I have to be very careful to stop before I am full or my food sits high in my stomach and I feel miserable the rest of the day. I need to know if there are any dietary changes I can make to give myself more energy so that I can combat this chronic fatigue. What can someone overridden with CMV symptoms do? How do I function?

ms_science_teach
7/18/2006
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Is it the upset stomach causing your nausea? Beings that your food "sits high in your stomach" is this due to slow digestion?
I've read that Papaya (find chewables at Puritan's Pride) helps with digestion.
Further, I would look into a good multi-vit w/mineral. Of course, some supplements may interact with certain medicines and so, you'd want to look into it.

I did a quick google search regarding your condition and was suprised to read that most of us have had this, though usually it is mild and we never know it.

From the sounds of it, you need plenty of rest and a real boost for your immune system.
This isn't a quick fix but think it'll help with your health over-all and that is with a juicer. I just recently purchased a "Nutri Source 1000" juicer and am really impressed with it.
In one glass of juice, I have: 6 carrots, 1 celery, beet, Kale, handful of spinach and half handful of cabbage. A "super" drink and it tastes mostly like carrots (in other words, not bad at all!). A lazy way to get all the nutrition of all of the above.

A glance at nutritional value of certain foods: http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

On amazon, I see books geared for juicers with recipes for certain conditions. Of course, I'm sure like all things: "fixes" are debatable.

A high protein diet is in order, for energy.

As for night sweats, make sure that your bedding and clothing are "breathable." All cotton. This isn't a cure but certain materials (including foam toppers) can aggravate it.

I know this isn't much help. Hopefully others who have dealt with either this medical condition or it's symptoms will be of help.
I hope you feel better, sooner rather than later.

Get plenty of rest.









borninquisitive
7/20/2006
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That's right, forgot about ginger! See here: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Gingerch.html

borninquisitive
7/20/2006
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Thanks for the comments. I saw my doctor yesterday and he told me that in addition to CMV, I also have EBV (Epstein-Barr virus). The doc said the nightly fever is from my immune system doing its job (that's the simple explanation). The night sweats come from the nightly fever. I do sleep on Egyptian cotton sheets with a high per cal, I think they're 450.

My mother gave me some herbal supplements made of papaya and pineapple extracts. It seems to help if I take one before each meal.

The doc said these symptoms will last for the next two to three months. I'm a teacher, "rest" is not part of my vocabulary! In the words of Charlie Brown....UGGGHHHHHHH!!!

ms_science_teach
7/21/2006
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Tags: d,cmv, stomach, conditions, fatigue, fever, food, medicine, nausea, night, reading,
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