Do you (or your doctors) understand why you would now test positive for this (based on the meds & supplements that you stopped)? Or do they think it was due to a different reason? I totally understand autoantibodies changing due to things like IVIG, Plasmapheresis, Rituximab, but not based on the meds & supps that you stopped. What do you make of this?!
I will tell you what I suspect. And by suspect, I mean, I believe it wholeheartedly and not much would change my mind.
I believe I was keeping things in check w/ my meds. And when I stopped them, I opened up the flood gates.
I was taking things to...
- decrease intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- improve the balance of my gut microbiome
- fight EBV and keep that in check
- strengthen my immune system
- repair DNA and mitochondria
- reduce inflammation and down-regulate inflammatory cytokines
- reduce free radicals and oxidative stress
- re-balance my DNA methylation
- support liver and detox
- support cellular energy production
- improve bone, skin, and cardiovascular health
- improve brain and nerve cell function
Imagine that all getting worse. I'm sure my infections are less restricted. There's even more demand on my already effed up immune system. And although my dysfunctional immune system can't seem to win the battles, it won't stop trying, and is still super active, and doing whatever it takes to try and win, even if the result is auto-antibodies that damage parts of my body.
If my DNA methylation has gone back to how it was before, then I have less regulation of gene expression, which can lead to a million problems.
Specifically though, the Actin (Smooth Muscle) antibodies can be caused by EBV, as seen in EBV-induced Autoimmune Hepatitis (which seems to be a new thing I have). So, w/ EBV no longer in check, I'm not surprised. Though, Coxsackie B3 can also cause these antibodies, which is another infection I have.
I'm sure whatever new issues and symptoms end up manifesting will likely not be from just one thing, but a combination. The root of it all though, my Enterovirus B infections. This was expected though. And my docs wouldn't know, I don't tell them everything. I don't want them getting mislead or sidetracked. I'm just hoping I don't get any permanent damage before I start a treatment.