the Epstein-Barr Virus "hit me like a truck". Several times, actually.

If you've seen me in person or talked to me over the phone you know I am obsessed with this book. I would recommend reading the whole thing, cover to cover. But here's an article with a chapter specifically about the Epstein-Barr Virus. It knocked my socks off.
http://goop.com/the-medical-medium-and-whats-potentially-at-the-root-of-medical-mysteries/

Here are my own stages of the stages of EBV.  There are several more experiences I could highlight, but these are the most significant.

Stage 1-- When I was a little girl I used to wake up in the middle of the night with aching joints.  I thought my ankles and knees were cold, so I would put double and triple pairs of socks and climb in bed with my parents.  I don't remember the aches and pains going away once i got warm, but it seemed like it happened more when I was cold.. I can't tell you how often it would happen, but I would guess once or twice a year, for two to three nights in a row.  I also have memories of trying to do push-ups in elementary school and collapsing because my wrists were in so much pain.  But then the following week, they would be totally fine.  (This problem with my joints still happens to me now, probably once a month, but only for a day or two.  It usually goes away with some ibuprofen and a nap.)

Stage 2-- My sophomore year of college I was minding my own business, enjoying the social life and then one day, BAM!  I was struck down with mononucleosis.  It was literally as though I had been hit by a truck.  I was sleeping for 20 hours a day, at least.  I never got out of bed and even packed most of my stuff and went home, planning to withdraw from school.  I didn't, though.  In hopes of getting better in a couple of weeks, I toughened up and went back to school.  Unfortunately, I didn't get better for a solid 6 months.  It was one of the hardest experiences of my young adult life.  After I got married (about 6 months after I recovered) I went to the doctor again because I thought I had relapsed... I was working full time and going to school and could not get my act together.  Luckily, that exhaustion seemed to last only a few weeks and then I was back to my energetic self.  I worked after Ben and Luke were born and even though I was a busy young mom, I had energy to spare.

Stage 3-- After my third baby was born, I experienced what I thought was post-partum depression.  I was SO extremely tired and couldn't seem to wake up in the morning.  If my kids would have let me, I would have taken 6 hour naps.  I was so tired.  I went to the doctor and they said I was depressed, but I didn't feel sad.  I wasn't emotional.  I was just really tired.  All kinds of blood tests were done and they said my blood sugar was always low, so I needed to eat more often.  But every time I had a snack, I would crash again.  When Zack was about 1 year old, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Two different doctors in two different states confirmed the diagnosis.  I was sad, but grateful to finally have a name for it.  On my very first visit to the Rheumologist (is that a word?) I was told that there was no way I had RA.  I was mis-diagnosed and was sent home without any explanation.  I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what.  Over the next 3 years I had a series of 3 miscarriages.  When Simon was born 4 years after Zack I was really worried about experiencing post-partum depression, but other than a few weepy weeks, I actually felt great.  I was back to my normal self after getting adequate rest and exercise.  I had no issues with either of my girls pregnancies or post-deliveries.

Stage 4-- after the birth of my seventh baby, I was on top of the world.  My pregnancy was tiring, but I felt good.  I went over my due date, delivered my own baby and felt so good.  Two days after he was born, I remember thinking that it didn't even feel like I had a baby.  I did have some aches and pains in my hip and a little numbness in my foot, which was something I had never experienced before.  Three weeks after he was born, while walking down the stairs, I collapsed in the worst pain I've ever felt.  I was unable to move or even breath.  The nerves in my right leg were on fire.  I went to the ER, followed up by five thousand doctor appointments.  The pain in my nerves was constant, at a level of a 8 (childbirth is like a 5.) and this burning sensation never went away.  There were no professional who could help, until I saw an orthopedic surgeon who told me that although risky, back surgery to remove a herniated disc was the best way for me to recover. Less than two weeks ago, I came out of back surgery in the absolute worst pain I've ever been in.  I was throwing up, sobbing and telling the doctors I wanted to die.  I was literally burning up from the inside.  I ripped off all of my clothes, turned the air up in my hospital room to freezing temperatures and cried for 12 hours.  I don't even remember most of that experience, only that I described my pain level at a 14.  It makes me laugh that I didn't say 100, but 14 was the best way I could describe it.  If childbirth was a 5, typical never pain an 8, then 14 was out of this world.  Two weeks later, I would say my pain level is back at an 8.  When I feel like crying, I remember what a 14 feels like and I feel grateful.

I am not saying I didn't need back surgery.  I believe it was the best route for me, but I think my problem is much bigger (or smaller) than a herniated disc.  This article and the book "Medical Medium" is the most logical explanation to what I've been experiencing.  I have had every single stage of the EBV evolution, in the order explained.  I truly believe this guy is on to something when talking about "medical mysteries."  I tried talking to my health care professionals about having a virus and they think I'm crazy.  But you know what is crazy?  Continuing to take medication that does not work for me.  If I could total up the number of hours and dollars i've spent on medical staff who have no idea what to tell me, I could feel frustrated.  But i don't.  This is my path for a reason, and I know I am going to get to the bottom of it.  I know I will get better.

So, if you're interested, read THIS awesome article.  Then read his books.  And then message me, I'd love to talk to you about it!