Reactivated/Chronic Epstein Barr Virus: immune suppression therapy?

My EBV titers are quite elevated, and I've been diagnosed with reactivated EBV (some call it chronic EBV). My doctor wants to use a steroid injection (Depo-Medrol) to suppress the immune system response to the EBV. This is supposed to get my immune system response down to a more normal level and help my symptoms (extreme fatigue, fever, etc.). Is anyone familiar with this type of treatment? Please also list how you are experienced with it (i.e. have undergone this therapy, are in medical field, etc). :)

Thanks so much!

Well, immunosuppressive medications are commonly used to prevent inflammation associated with many chronic disorders as well as following certain surgeries (e.g. to prevent acute graft rejection), but can also cause what you have described, which is providing opportunity for reactivation of latent viral infections. Immunosuppression is a careful balance between regulating the overzealous immune response, but not depressing it to the degree that opportunistic infections can occur -- because uncomfortable as it can be, inflammation does serve a purpose, and is effective at fighting pathogenic organisms.

I'm sure your physician is carefully-monitoring your viral load, so there's probably no need to tell him. But, if you're concerned about the purpose of therapy and potential harm it could be, you should always discuss it with them, and get a thorough explanation so that you're both on the same page.