posted
I am looking into seeing a specialist in my area but was wondering:
1. How do you know if your early treatment was successful?
2. How often do you need to be tested for the lyme?
3. How would you know that you are have chronic Lyme ?
Posts: 78 | From Pa | Registered: May 2015
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
1. Your treatment was successful if you became symptom free and stayed that way until present.
Otherwise, it was not successful. Just like any other disease.
2. If you think you are getting sick with lyme, then get tested. If you never got well from lyme, then get more treatment until you become symptom free. Then, treat 2 more months.
3. The definition of chronic lyme is in the Burrascano Guidelines page 3.
Here it is:
" A very important issue is the definition of "Chronic Lyme Disease". Based on my clinical data and the latest published information, I offer the following definition. To be said to have chronic LB, these three criteria must be present:
1. Illness present for at least one year (this is approximately when immune breakdown attains clinically significant levels).
2. Have persistent major neurologic involvement (such as encephalitis/encephalopathy, meningitis, etc.) or active arthritic manifestations (active synovitis).
3. Still have active infection with B. burgdorferi (Bb), regardless of prior antibiotic therapy (if any).
Chronic Lyme is an altogether different illness than earlier stages, mainly because of the inhibitory effect on the immune system."
bis, I sense that you are asking these questions because you have gone to non-lyme specialists who are telling you that after lyme treatment you can still have symptoms. That is a bunch of hog wash!
The mainstream medical establishment believes this way. They gave it a name. They call it post-lyme syndrome. They say it can last a year or more.
No wonder people get confused!
There is no such thing.
The medical establishment just REFUSES to believe that lyme disease can be difficult to cure. This has been going on for at least 30 years.
You have to decide who you are going to believe.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks for your response. My dr actually is very aggressive I didn't even know I was bit by a tick nor had any symptoms except a pulled muscle and a bunch of rashes over the muscle-- 2 of thoses were in circle shape -went right in with the IMG and IGG western Blot and treated. I am asking because I'm in process of antibiotics (just switched to amoxiliian from doxy) And I was wondering the next steps after the treatment is done.
Meaning I want to see a Lyme specialist, but not sure when you can retest- or how I will know if I am still sick.
Posts: 78 | From Pa | Registered: May 2015
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posted
I would make an appointment with one right away. It can take months to get in to see one.
No need for retesting. It will always show positive, so save your money. You go by symptoms as far as knowing when you are well.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Sounds like you are taking just one antibiotic? Is that right? [If so, it's not the right treatment, sorry.]
You do not need to re-test for lyme if you have a previous diagnosis. You had a bulls eye rash and, apparently IgM and IgG tests [that I assume gave some indication]. That's proof enough. Symptoms speak.
you ask "how I will know if I am still sick" - it's how you feel. Good to treat for two months past achieving a good solid remission.
You say in previous post, 2 weeks ago, that you have been dealing with this for 3 months. That is not nearly long enough for adequate treatment. Sorry.
You do not need another lyme test.
And, unfortunately, you were given steroids early on. That can make the road & treatment more difficult (sorry).
Other tick borne infections should be assessed, though, and possibly tested. Be sure that everything is considered.
I hope you can find a good LLMD to best guide you. Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
That's ok-I am trying to learn and take all this in. I just had an MRI on where the abdominal muscle was strained so I am dealing with a lot of medical expenses now. Will probably need physical therapy too. I found a Lyme specialist in my area from lymediseaseassociation.org
Posts: 78 | From Pa | Registered: May 2015
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