Epstein Barr, Herpes, and Genital Acne

If there is anything I've learned on these boards it's that none of us are alone in what we experience, which is why I felt it was important to explore this subject.

A while back I ran across an article I read linking Hashimoto's to other autoimmune dysfunction, including Epstein Barr Virus. The article mentioned that Epstein Barr is actually a form of Herpes and said that almost everyone contracts it in childhood. I had cold sores frequently as a child, but have never had them as an adult and hadn't thought about it or made any connection between the two. 

About 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr, Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia. My husband at the time was completely unsupportive and accused me of looking for an excuse to be lazy. I was busy raising two young girls, and the internet was in its infancy; the doctors had no clue of what to do with any of these diagnoses; so I just put it away and kept putting one foot in front of another. 

Now for TMI: While I've never had a problem with acne on my face -- just the occasional zit here and there -- I have long had a problem with breakouts around my genital area. I get really big zits both on my glutes and on my outer labia. I've asked my gyno about it before, but she had no answers, just said it happens and is actually fairly common. Again I never made any connection between that and the Epstein Barr or the Hashimoto's. 

In researching supplements, at some point I had begun taking L-lysine. I honestly can't remember why or what led me to it,  -- I believe it was because we were eating mostly vegetarian for a long time and lysine is found mostly in meat sources. (your body doesn't make it, so you have to get it through diet). I just know that over the years I've felt better when I take it, it seems to make the texture of my hair smoother and fuller, reduce hair loss, and help control the interstital cystitis. HOWEVER, after reading that Epstein Barr is a form of herpes, I went back and started researching herpes. What I found was that L-lysine helps to suppress herpes symptoms and control the virus. So I had apparently been treating my Epstein Barr by taking L-lysine without even realizing it. 

To test this theory, I picked up a bottle of L-lysine and started taking it regularly. The first week, I took two a day to build up my levels, since I haven't taken it in a while. Then I cut back to one a day. I have noticed that I do feel better with it, but this morning, while showering, I noticed that there was no trace of acne 'down there'. It's the first time I haven't had that particular symptom in a very long time. 

So, if you have any strain of herpes -- Type 1, Type 2, Zoster, or EBV -- I highly recommend you test out the L-lysine and experiment for yourself. Please share your results with us, if you're comfortable doing so. You will also want to reduce intake of L-arginine as it is antagonistic to L-lysine.