u/Largecar379_

Like many after catching Covid, my EBV became reactive (confirmed through bloodwork by a functional doctor). I’m not sure the connection between EBV and HPV, if it’s the same thing or not, but as far back as I can remember I’ve always been susceptible to cold sores on my lip(s) and/or a cluster of blisters on my penis towards the start of it near the body (sorry if TMI). Typically I’d only get 1-2 outbreaks per year, usually one or the other, or both; and 99% of the time they would only happen when “provoked”. Such as I’ve always had a bad habit of picking my lips when they get chapped, and usually if I picked it in the right spot and it was more than just a layer of dead skin, it would immediately cause a cold sore to appear and usually take a week to subside. Same with down stairs, something about shaving down there would cause it every once in awhile. Neither would happen every time, but again usually I’d get an outbreak once or twice per year, and rarely would happen at random without shaving/picking lol.

I had a bad flare of symptoms in February just prior to getting the confirmation of reactive EBV. I had what I suspect was Covid in January which lead to this, I’m confident in that because I’ve went down this road before with Covid back in 2020 and 2 years of “long covid” to follow. Carnivore diet seems to put most to all symptoms into remission in short time, I just have a hard time sticking with it once I feel better. I think I just like the idea of knowing I can fix the issue whenever necessary, but being able to live my life and not be so limited to what I eat when I do feel good. Anyway, I can’t remember if I had these random outbreaks during my first 2 years of long covid symptoms, but I’m on my 4th outbreak since February.. It was a random cold sore on my lip at first, followed my 3 separate incidents with a cluster of blisters on my penis. Just had one clear up not even 2 weeks ago, and another popped up yesterday.

Is this my body trying to get something out, what’s going on? I will say due to being mostly strict with the carnivore stuff, the worst of the EBV symptoms are mostly non-existent; but when I get these random outbreaks, the fatigue and sluggishness briefly comes back for the first couple days of it.

I’m always on the go with my business and my regular job. I leave early in the morning and I don’t get home until 6pm or later, sometimes midnight or later. Meal prep is always an option, I do have a heated lunchbox, but easier said than done with my schedule. I typically just do OMAD and one or two steaks at dinner (last night was a steak and a serving of ground beef). There’s no way I’m getting enough calories in like this, and is a big reason why I have a hard time sticking with carnivore long term. This will be my 4th attempt at strict carnivore and I’d love to be able to stick with it. I don’t eat bad per se, but I fill in the gaps with fruit, clean protein bars, etc. But I’d like to just cut the sugar and fiber altogether as I deal with auto-immune-like post-viral (Covid) issues and strict carnivore (beef only) is the only thing that seems to get me back to myself, but I actually have to stick with it long enough to reach that point.

I’ve looked at Lineage and some other “carnivore friendly” options, but what’s the best one if strict carnivore is the goal?