Yesterday, I shot ahead of my audiobook and googled Epstein-Barr Virus. I immediately came across the blog of health coach, Elizabeth Rider and her protocols for treating EBV, based on her experience of implementing Anthony William’s treatment advice.
In another blog she describes how her childhood was marked by endless strep throat – aka/or indistinguishable from, tonsillitis, which I had incessantly as a child, even after my tonsillectomy at 15. Elizabeth notes via Anthony Williams how strep and mono are markers of underlying EBV. Read this extract by Elizabeth – it describes me entirely, all bar my actually being diagnosed with mono (glandular fever) – which looking back on my post-tonsillectomy period of exhaustion/depression/sleeping through the evenings at age 15-17, I now realise I probably was experiencing:
“I had strep throat a lot as a kid. It started to get really bad in my early teens, and it seemed like I was in the walk-in clinic every other month being put on another round of antibiotics to clear up the strep. (The dozens of rounds of antibiotics caused an entirely different issue—an unhealthy gut bacteria balance that I’ve been able to clear up with real food, avoiding processed foods, and consuming fermented foods and probiotics, but we’ll talk about that in another post.) My mom grew weary of the cycles of strep and asked the doctors if there was anything we could do. They suggested having my tonsils out. Fifteen is old to have tonsil surgery, but after consulting with different people, my parents decided it was the right decision. I had my tonsils out, which really cleared up the strep, but I never fully recovered from the surgery. Between the hard detox off the anesthesia and the wicked case of mono I developed, I just never really felt 100% again.
Side note: Much later on, while reading The Medical Medium, he talks about strep being a co-infection to mononucleosis, which made SO much sense in this story. I had no idea that was the case 20 years ago, and neither did any doctor I had ever encountered.
Back to the mono. In the six months after the tonsillectomy, I was so tired I could barely get out of bed. It’s normal for a teenager to sleep a lot, but it was getting worse by the day. I was an active dancer and cheerleader and at a healthy weight. I ate pretty well for what we knew back then, but despite being seemingly healthy, I was exhausted all. the. time. My mom took me back to the doctor, and one test later, it was clear that I had mono. Mono is really common amongst teens, so they just told me to rest and that it would pass.”
Ok, so in other words, I’m starting to understand my own childhood backstory in light of the possible early activation of EBV in me – and ongoing reactivation through my life, especially through periods of stress, which have been immense at time. Could it be that my diagnoses of depression, anxiety, PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and even Autism, have their roots in this virus?!
The whole MEDS protocols I developed a couple of years ago now are quite probably my attempt at adapting to, and maximising, life with this exhausting condition. And when I’d given in to unemployment due to poor health and committed to my full MEDS-based healing, with the help of a brilliant nutritional therapist, I did actually recover considerably. But then last year, going back to work, and eating/sleeping/socialising at the pace of my wonderful new partner… all seems to have reactivated something in me – for I am constantly exhausted and in adrenal fatigue state, with my kidneys firing adrenaline, my body bloating up with cortisol weight, and my nights awash with anxiety attacks.
Ok. So… Today I listen to the next section of the audiobook – ‘Healing from the EBV’. What advice for my day?
Your simple-heartedness…
Oh yes. Ehem…
Set your inner state to open, receptive, calm, curious. We need to receive today’s information in a moderate state, so that we don’t blow an emotional gasket at the very moment we need to think rationally and practically.
Thank you. Yes. I agree. If I am going to need to go through a treatment plan, I know from previous experience, it’s like climbing Mount Everest – a physical and psychological roller coaster, requiring very quiet, understated, internalised resilience, faith and persistence.
I asked for Peak Experiences. My goodness, the restoration of my physical health would be such an incredible Peak Experience. Thank you.
Simple-hearted. Simple-hearted. Simple-hearted. Do your meditation and get ready to go for your walk. Stick to your MEDSAN protocols this morning. You’re going to need them in the future.
I’ve been loving my daily dose of MEDSAN. I created reminder prompts on my phone, along with the associated time:
I’ve been so grateful for a new morning timetable in my life – after years of having my children’s school run as the default timetable, it’s been difficult finding my own morning routine. Also, this week, I’ve actually been going up to bed at 9pm, having an epsom salt bath/shower and turning my light off by 10pm. (G joins me later, and I barely notice him coming in he’s so quiet.) That way, if I wake up at 5 or 6am (as my anxiety/adrenal activity tends to make me do), I’ve had the sleep I need (ideally 7h). It’s amazing.
So this is my current MEDS + MEDSAN pattern:
- 7 – Med & QT
- 8 – Exercise (walk or cycle)
- 9 – Diet (hearty breakfast) and Shower
- 10 – Admin/Emails
- 11 – Networking (marketing) or Nap
- 12 – 5 – Client work and Case work – ideally remotely / at home, to preserve beans
- 5 – 9 – Housework, Supper (veg + protein), Rest with G / Going out for music practice
- 9 – 5+ – Sleep… (the crucial S of MEDS)
You have made substantial progress. The pattern is truly healing and revolutionary. You are setting yourself up for success in your chosen mission.
Thank you. Ok. Deep breath. Simple-hearted. Time for my meditation and walk.
I am still simple-hearted
PS. Other resources on EBV:
https://avivaromm.com/ebv-thyroid-connection/