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Could it be EBV? Constant Fatigue & Brain Fog

Age: 26
Weight: 173 lbs
Height: 5'10"
Lives in Connecticut

Symptoms:
Brain fog, fatigue, lightheaded, extreme thirst, reaction to foods (inconsistent) and agitation

Timeline/Description:
I have had these issues for over 4 years... When I first started my job out of college, I would have random bouts with fatigue where I would have to go to my car and nap because I was so tired. As the years have gone on, this has grown more and more constant, to the point where I always have fatigue, brain fog, light-headedness and sometimes feel so "out of it" that I am afraid to drive.

Over the past two years, I have begun experiencing excessive thirst (on top of the fatigue/fog) daily, which leads me to drink well over the recommended daily water intake.

There are many times where the brain fog increases drastically following a meal but this is not always consistent. I find that when I am having a really bad day with brain fog, I am very agitated, fidgety and moody as well (not because I am not feeling well, seems more like another symptom).

More and more I have been having reactions to foods/alcohol, to the point where I turn bright red, get itchy, face gets hot and I start to have a little trouble breathing which tends to go away within an hour or so. I spent over two years getting immunotherapy for external allergens, with no relief. I was also tested for food allergies but nothing came back positive.

Other random issues that I have had over the past 4 years include increased sinus infections, ear aches and back drip, which never used to be issues for me.

I take a multivitamin daily, vitamin b-complex and a probiotic.

Doctors and Tests:
I have had appointments with my primary care physician, ENT, Allergist, Naturopath, Endocrinologist and Pulmonologist. I have been tested for mono, Lyme disease, anemia, diabetes, thyroid and what seems like all of the "go to" tests when a doctor hears fatigue. I tested negative for diabetes and negative for all other initial endocrine system tests, with the doctor feeling confident that it was not an issue within her realm.

The ENT did not see any issues with the sinuses but recommended immunotherapy. The allergist could not figure out why my two years of immunotherapy for external (dust, pollen, trees, grass) allergies did not help at all and did not believe food allergies was my issue.

My Naturopath tested my B12 and other vitamin levels with no problems popping up. After her recommendation, I went on a two month anti-candida diet (cut out all yeast, sugar, alcohol, etc) as she thought it was a yeast build up in my intestines. I stayed on the strict diet for two full months and stopped once the stool tests came back negative for yeast. While I ate extremely healthy, cut out alcohol and lost 15 pounds, I felt no better than before.
I am scheduled for a sleep test within the next two months but I feel that my lack of sleep quality is due to all of the issues I am having, not the other way around. Not to mention, a sleep issue doesn’t seem to answer the excessive thirst problem.

I am also seeing a Neurologist within the next month.

I do not believe that I have depression, though I am starting to get slightly depressed seeing as these issues have gone on for so long and have been very debilitating.

Who I Am:
I have always been a hardworking, focused and career oriented individual who loves being around people and making others laugh. Over the past four years, I have slowly turned into someone who can barely focus on simple tasks (brain fog), has put his entire career on hold hoping to find a cure (too afraid to start a new job as I can barely focus) and someone who has not been his normal self. These issues have become more and more debilitating; to the point where my entire life has revolved around how I can just get back to feeling like my old self (I can't even remember what that is like anymore). I go to bed every night praying I will just wake up and feel better, only to wake up and immediately be hit with fogginess and fatigue. I am not a depressed or suicidal person, but I honestly don't know what I'd do if I looked back in 6 months and still felt this way and/or had no clear direction on how to find a cure.

4 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hi mike,  your story is just like mine only I have been I'll for 18 years with the above.  I have been to sooooooo many doctors including the great Dr.  Murphree who worked with me for six months and could not Figure out why I never sleep,  have constant brain fog,  have low energy etc....on and on.  I have tried almost everything available through doctors of all types with no avail...depressing but I try to offer it up to God each day.  I live in my home and I take care of my two severely disabled parents 7 days a week...thiamin adds to stress. The one thing that always happens is that my brain fog etc..gets worse under any type of stress.  Recently found that I have very high-levels of Epstein Barr virus and no wonder as my illness began with flu like mono years ago.  Tried beta glucens to build up immune system and other supplements and my hair started falling out...oh man...Dr could not figure that one out either.  I do believe God wants me healthy and I know this illness is allowed by Him but not from Him.  Now I think I am going to get a zapper from Dr. Hulda Clark and if I can zap away this illness.  I do think the devil preys on US with this illness by consuming US with ourselves instead of giving to others...funny thing is that I do always feel better when put myself out for others...hmmm...makes me wonder.  I wish you all the best and will be praying for you to feel better...I ask the same from you.
Helpful - 0
4 Comments
I was reading through this blog for the same reasons it seems you are. I don't have the extremely severe symptoms others mention, but suffer "enough" to cause problems functioning from severe fatigue and brain fog, sometimes muscle or joking aches and pains. Over 20 years ago my blood panel showed EBV antibodies, but not active. I had been diagnosed with severe clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. Over the years, I quit complaining to doctors thinking this is "just me" and I have to find a way to live with it, like you, mine seems to recur, especially in Winter months, which drives me back to the diagnosis research on my own. I had an extremely bad bout of it last month that knocked me off my feet, and slept for days. However, I tripped across the gluten allergy/intolerance angel, where all of my symptoms - even those I didn't associate with this "thing affliction" were listed. I quit eating anything with gluten in it, even bought gluten free bread and spaghetti and upped my protein intake. In two days I felt better than I had in years. Just two days. Seriously.  Especially the brain fog.  After 20+ years of this coming and going, I'm not confident the floor won't drop out from under me yet again, but holding out some hope.
I was reading through this blog for the same reasons it seems you are. I don't have the extremely severe symptoms others mention, but suffer "enough" to cause problems functioning from severe fatigue and brain fog, sometimes muscle or joking aches and pains. Over 20 years ago my blood panel showed EBV antibodies, but not active. I had been diagnosed with severe clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. Over the years, I quit complaining to doctors thinking this is "just me" and I have to find a way to live with it, like you, mine seems to recur, especially in Winter months, which drives me back to the diagnosis research on my own. I had an extremely bad bout of it last month that knocked me off my feet, and slept for days. However, I tripped across the gluten allergy/intolerance angel, where all of my symptoms - even those I didn't associate with this "thing affliction" were listed. I quit eating anything with gluten in it, even bought gluten free bread and spaghetti and upped my protein intake. In two days I felt better than I had in years. Just two days. Seriously.  Especially the brain fog.  After 20+ years of this coming and going, I'm not confident the floor won't drop out from under me yet again, but holding out some hope.
I was reading through this blog for the same reasons it seems you are. I don't have the extremely severe symptoms others mention, but suffer "enough" to cause problems functioning from severe fatigue and brain fog, sometimes muscle or joking aches and pains. Over 20 years ago my blood panel showed EBV antibodies, but not active. I had been diagnosed with severe clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. Over the years, I quit complaining to doctors thinking this is "just me" and I have to find a way to live with it, like you, mine seems to recur, especially in Winter months, which drives me back to the diagnosis research on my own. I had an extremely bad bout of it last month that knocked me off my feet, and slept for days. However, I tripped across the gluten allergy/intolerance angel, where all of my symptoms - even those I didn't associate with this "thing affliction" were listed. I quit eating anything with gluten in it, even bought gluten free bread and spaghetti and upped my protein intake. In two days I felt better than I had in years. Just two days. Seriously.  Especially the brain fog.  After 20+ years of this coming and going, I'm not confident the floor won't drop out from under me yet again, but holding out some hope.
I was reading through this blog for the same reasons it seems you are. I don't have the extremely severe symptoms others mention, but suffer "enough" to cause problems functioning from severe fatigue and brain fog, sometimes muscle or joking aches and pains. Over 20 years ago my blood panel showed EBV antibodies, but not active. I had been diagnosed with severe clinical depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. Over the years, I quit complaining to doctors thinking this is "just me" and I have to find a way to live with it, like you, mine seems to recur, especially in Winter months, which drives me back to the diagnosis research on my own. I had an extremely bad bout of it last month that knocked me off my feet, and slept for days. However, I tripped across the gluten allergy/intolerance angel, where all of my symptoms - even those I didn't associate with this "thing affliction" were listed. I quit eating anything with gluten in it, even bought gluten free bread and spaghetti and upped my protein intake. In two days I felt better than I had in years. Just two days. Seriously.  Especially the brain fog.  After 20+ years of this coming and going, I'm not confident the floor won't drop out from under me yet again, but holding out some hope.
Avatar universal
Hi,
Let me get to the point...your immune system is compromised.  In order to feel better you have to eliminate some of the symptoms....the way to do it is to boost your immune system.  I felt like a zombie for years till I started taking the combination of vitamins and minerals...Vitamin A, B complex, C, E, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium, CoQ10. Consult your doctor before going on these supplements to see if you are allergic.  I bought each separate and took them and I was able to run again and go to the gym within a week.  The supplements chipped it in for me by day 4.  Also keeping hydrated is very important.  This worked for me and gave me back my life...hope it works for you...let me know.  Also you have to pay attention to your nutrition...cut down or cut out the fried and high sugar foods.  Obviously we have to take better care of ourselves than the average person...it's a full time job.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Jermaine,

I have been doing some research for my own EBV symptoms and have been searching for a list of supplements.

Your recommendations certainly are consistent with my sources. The one I would add to the list is L-lysine as there have been promising anecdotal results from Indiana University School of Medicine.

Glad you found relief and hope I have some good results
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Jermaine,

I have been doing some research for my own EBV symptoms and have been searching for a list of supplements.

Your recommendations certainly are consistent with my sources. The one I would add to the list is L-lysine as there have been promising anecdotal results from Indiana University School of Medicine.

Glad you found relief and hope I have some good results
Helpful - 0
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