mononucleosis and ms

cheerleader · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Welcome, Slug-
You are not alone. We've been talking alot about how the timing of mono and the Epstein Barr virus can affect future MS. EBV used to be seen as a benign childhood illness. When it is contracted as a teenager, the immune system reacts differently, and a teen develops mono. Some people later develop MS-Scientists/researchers are pursuing the connection
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-5993-ebv.html

Here's some more threads to read-
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-5992-ebv.html
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-5823-ebv.html

NHE is right, there's lots here to read up on-

Sorry about that nasty case of mono, Art. Sounds like it really took it out of you! My husband had it for a few weeks, was more like the flu,but the fatigue lasted longer. And now that's his major hurtle with his MS.
AC
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Husband diagnosed RRMS March 2007
pursuing endothelial healing
Copaxone, Swank, supplements, laughter

catfreak · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:35 pm Post subject:

I had Mono in Feb 2000. Went downhill from there. DX as probable MS in April 2003 and RRMS in April 2008.

I definitely believe there is a connection.

CF
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I wish I was ___________. (fill in the blank)

ssmme · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

I had mono at the age of 12. Was out of school for about 6 weeks. It's been years ago so I don't remember the details. Afterwards I got shingles (I already had chicken pox) when chicken pox was going around the school. I don't know if it was EBV. Will a simple blood test give the answer?

Marcia
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DX'd 08/2006, RRMS, contemplating post Tovaxin therapies

Loobie · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

Marcia,

A blood test can tell you that. It was a blood test that led to the Dr. basically telling me I had mono at some point in the past due to my really high EBV titer. I think, and I could be recalling incorrectly, that if you had mono, you have EBV running around.
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"When you're in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, 'Damn, that was fun.'"

Terry · Family Elder Joined: Oct 27, 2007 Posts: 272

I don't remember having mono, but two of my kids did. My EBV Nuclear Antigen came back "greater than 5". Doc made notes on the results- "past EBV infection".

MattB · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject:

I've been sort of curious about mono because the last few girls I've kissed have come down with mono not too long after the experience. I myself have never had mono, or it was so mild and brief that I didn't even notice it. I wonder if it's just coincidence or if I just carry the virus without ever evidencing the symptoms. The weirdest thing with me not having it is that mono has a two week incubation period, I think, and these girls would have either got it from me or given it to me. Confused

ms_melissa · Newbie Joined: Aug 03, 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Virginia

The dr I saw at Duke Univeristy asked me if I ever had mono. I did when I was 16, and now, I have MS. He told me the two were related. However, I am on one of four great-granddaughters with MS as well.
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Melissa, DX--RRMS, 2007
Betaseron, 2007
Novantrone, 2008