Epstein Barr Vit D and Autoimmune

[Dee]

I found this article interesting to the extent I understood it and because I have a few of the AI's mentioned, test positive for EBV which could have been the cause of my meningitis a few years ago and twice before that around 20 years ago and I have chronic low Vit D levels --  CD8+ T-Cell Deficiency, Epstein-Barr Virus Infection, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Steps to Autoimmunity: A Unifying Hypothesis, http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/2012/189096/. 

It makes me wonder if I should ask about treating with a low dose of famciclovir daily (ins wont cover acyclovir) as was suggested or mentioned by my Infectious Disease doc a couple years back.  She said some people do very well on one (can't remember dosage exactly but low dose) acyclovir and one low dose (like 1mg) of prednisone daily.  If I don't find relief from Cellcept I will ask neuro about trying this course for a while or maybe I will just ask him what he thinks about it anyway when I see him in a month. 

[sjenny]

What an interesting article - kinda complex for my brain fogged mind, but it rings true.  I was also diagnosed with Epstein Barr and low Vitamin D levels at one point and developed Hashi's and Sjs as I aged.  I also live in a northern climate.

I have since had homeopathic treatment for Lymes and Epstein Barr and am in remission now.

sjenny

[finallyadx]

I, too, tested positive for Epstein Barr, Vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune (sjs).  I will read the article and potentially request the treatment you mentioned.

Just out of curiosity, what homepathic treatments were used for lymes and epstein barr? 

Best of luck to you.  Hope you start feeling better soon.

[sjenny]

finallyadx:

I went to see Dr. Nadir Soliman in Rockville MD and he put me on a seried of homeopathic sprays (they are proprietary to him) and I don't know what is in them, but it worked.

Prior to seeing him, I went on a gluten, soy and dairy free diet which helped me tremendously.

This fascinating article is giving me some suspicions as to how Sjs is caused: CD8+ T-Cell Deficiency Underlie the Development of Chronic Autoimmune Diseases following Epstein Barr Viral Infection.  95% of the adult population has Epstein Barr, so that can't be escaped.

Then a combination of factors snowballs over time - There is damage to the small intestine from modern day wheat over time that results in a lowered ability to absorb Vitamin D from food sources.  Depletion of Vitamin D causes CD8+ T cell deficiency.  Aging causes CD8+ T cell deficiency and just being female, means women have lower levels of CD8+ T-cell levels to begin with.


sjenny

[Tharrell]

Which blood test is done to find epstein barr?

[Sooki]

Very exciting article.  He presents a unifying hypothesis for autoimmune diseases, with testable hypotheses.  Sounds plausible.  I'll ask my rheumy about it next visit. 

If I understand it correctly, he ties in genetics (leading to a CD8+ T-cell deficiency), made worse by vitamin D deficiency, with EBV infection (which pretty much all of us have), leading to EBV-infected B cells accumulating in various target organs (like salivary glands) which then produce autoantibodies.  He offers some possible treatments as avenues for research.

Being tested for EBV antibodies by themselves probably wouldn't give us much information as most people have them.   

If additional research bears this theory out, it seems like some significant treatment and even vaccination for our children (and grandchildren) could be in the works soon!

Thanks for the link!

[wendyoh]

thanks good info! I have those issues....anyone have any idea why vitamin d might make one feel bad? whenver i have tried to supplement with it I have felt worse so I always stop, even low dose. I wonder if it kills viruses and thus I herx....when I have taken antirvirals i often feel bad. NOt sure how to deal with vit d def if cant take it and the sun is not my friend.....

remembered this later
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Marshall_Protocol

[sjenny]

anyone have any idea why vitamin d might make one feel bad?

Are you taking the fish oil vitamin D?  maybe the oil is rancid?  Are you allergic to the additives in the supplement, such as sodium sulfite?

Maybe you should try to up your Vitamin D level with diet - salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms, fish with mushroom sauce (yum) etc.

Once I took too much Vitamin D and got very nauseous.

[anabanana]

When my problems started, my vitamin d was low and my epstein barr panel was high for all IgG portion(3 parts) but not the IgM portion...coincidence...my rheumy didn't think much of it, but I think that its relevant...