In need of information.

[JustMe_Deb]

My son was diagnosed with EBV almost 4 years ago. He has had no follow up appointment in the last 3. What should I be most concerned about? He went from being a bust *** worker at the age of 14 to unemployment for the last 2 years. He has no energy at all to do anything. He has headaches, stomach pain with vomiting at times, muscle pain, a rash, loss of appetite and has no medical insurance to follow up with any doctor. Please .... help with any information yo can give me.

[Ree4tu]

I have chronic EBV and also undergoing treatment for possible chronic lyme.  The two tests I had for EBV to determine it was chronic was the EBV IGG VCA BY IFA and the EPSTEIN-BARR EARLY AG (R+D) IGG, IFA. I have the muscle pain, fatigue, GI problems, rashes, plus a multitude of other problems.  These symptoms do describe Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.  This condition can be disabling. The stomach pain and the vomiting could be associated with other conditions as well.

I am concerned about the vomiting with the stomach pain. The vomiting could lead to serious complications.  If he has no medical insurance, he should go to the community ER and at least be examined for more serious conditions.  I don't think they can deny treatment based on inability to pay, although private hospitals may be able to.  Some hospitals have charitable funds available for patients without insurance.  Also there is a government program called Adult Basic which offers basic health insurance, but there is a waiting list. There is also Medicaid.  

It's a horrible situation when medical care is needed and you have no insurance.  I was in this situation when I was 19 and had to have an expensive medical test.  I worked out a payment plan of $10 per month which was all I could afford. Fortunately when you cannot pay a medical bill, the only thing that can happen to you is bad credit, but your health is more important than your credit score.

Good Luck

[PlateletGal]

I'm sorry to hear about your son's symptoms. Does your son have unrefreshing sleep and postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise ?  These are classic symptoms of CFS.

Has your son been ill since his EBV diagnosis ?

[ukinvb]

There should be some way your son can see a Dr.  or you can actually go to and make arrangements to pay back the tests little by little. Could be EBV or could be something completely unrelated.  you are not going to know without going to the doctor.  Hate to ask but are you sure there are no drug dependancies?  I had a situation where a friend had a son and never in a million yrs would I have thought he could be on drugs but was.  Bad company not bad kid or bad parent.  I cringe when I ask this as I know you may be angry with me I have 4 kids and may be upset if someone asked me...but loss of weight-tiredness-lack of enthusiasm.  Could be a few things including depression which with the age he is could be a possiblilty too.  Chemical and hormonal changes are tough.  

Good luck let me know what happens.  God Bless,

Carolyn