Spots are on legs and arms...since it's winter I haven't worn any shorts or short sleeved tops (to cold in Colorado).
Previously I've taken Doxy, Zithromax, Rifampin, and am currently taking Tetracycline.
Is this a side effect of abx?
I'm a long time lymie. Diagnosed in Sept. 2000 (me and both my sons)and all of us took various rounds of abx (oral only) for 2 years (my sons) and myself for 3 years straight.
Haven't been on abx since last March, but about this time last year, I finally remembered to ask my LLMD what the heck my brown spots were. I had looked up ACA photos here on lymenet and thought my brown spots on my legs (and a few on my arms) were these ACA spots I saw on the internet, and had read that they were related to Lyme.
I had noticed these spots a long time ago. I did not have very many then, and at one time, I was thinking to have one biopsied by a dermatologist, because my mom had once had a basal cell carcinoma on her forehead, and I didn't know what the beginning of a basal cell looked like.
My brown spot that I had then, and had biopsied, was found to be benign.
That was at least 10 yrs ago, I had Lyme then, but did not know it. But did not take long term abx until 4 yrs ago.
Anyway, I noticed this particular "brown spot" on my body 10 yrs ago, had it biopsied, it was benign.
Then, some time into taking oral abx for the Lyme, in the past 4 yrs, can't remember exact time frame, I noticed the same brown type spots appearing on my body. More than a few! They would even get darker, as time went on, and this would be in the winter (I do remember noticing the change in color, and it not being summer).
I would try to remember to ask my LLMD about the spots, but never remembered at my visits, for some reason. I even wrote it down in my notebook of questions to ask my LLMD, and never got to it.
Finally, about a year ago, I pulled up my pant leg, and said "is this an ACA spot"? And he looked at it, and said "no". He was very definite about this. I truly thought that my brown spots were related to this ACA thing that is related to having Lyme. I told my LLMD that I've noticed that I'm getting more and more of these spots, and that some change color, meaning get darker, and then lighter, over time, but never go away.
He didn't seem to think they were anything. I would love to hear if you find out if the spots are connected to taking abx. My LLMD is a very well known one here on the west coast, so I thought he would know for sure. But I do have my doubts.
In trying to describe my spots, I would say that they look like light brown, flat, non itchy spots. The size of the top of a pencil head eraser. Same color, almost too.
Please post here if you find out what yours are!
Julie
Are ya'll talking about lipofuscin or liver spots. I have them on the back of my hands.
If they're on your skin, then they're in your body, as well. I've heard they can be in your brain & liver. It's called the aging pigment. Not good.
It is not just nothing. I'd have to go back & research that out. I think it's a sign of oxidation.
Piracetam is suppose to help with it.
Google lipofuscin & see what you come up with.
I think chronic Lymies age faster because of LD & ABX; as ABX are oxidizing.
See what you think? Does that sound like what you have?
Take Care,
Jan
[This message has been edited by Recipegirl05 (edited 05 January 2005).]
Yes! Didn't have these prior to tx in August. They all of a sudden started appearing.
Piracetam is suppose to help with it.
Jan,
What is Piracetam?
Thank you!
I have lots of these kinds of spots on my arms and legs-and I've had them for years prior to my tick bite.
When I went to Dr. C he grabbed my hand and said "these could be hormone related--read The Hormone Solution by Dr. Hertoghe."
I got the book through interlibrary loan and I do think that he may be onto something with this but I had to deal with other stuff before I could get my head around this too.
Anyhow, I'm interested in this topic too.
-Shanna
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Wishing you fast healing and good health!
I'm interested in anything to do with the brain; that's when I learned about lipofuscin.
Lymeherx just posted his experience using Piracetam for many years. jo3 is suppose to start Piracetam & I'm anxious to see how she likes it.
From Life Extension Source - The Physician's Guide to Life Extension Drugs
P. 186
"Another likely mechanism of action involves piracetam's ability to protect the brain against physical and chemical insults (Vernon, 1991), such as through its action on neuronal lipofuscin (Paula-Barbosa, 1991).
Lipofuscin is an aging-related pigment that accumulates in brain tissue and is associated with diminished cerebral function.
It is reduced by piracetam's protective effect on intraneuronal membranes or its antioxidant properties."
=============================================
Benefits of Piracetam (also fights lipofuscin):
P. 185
=============================================
Also, RX Hydergine augments the effects of Piracetam.
If you go to Life Extension's website:
www.lef.org
you will find a library about everything!!.
Happy Reading,
Jan
P.S. Fixed the link; it'll work now.
Edited to clarify about Piracetam.
[This message has been edited by Recipegirl05 (edited 06 January 2005).]
DMAE - passes the blood brain barrier. I like Source Natural brand the best. Helps mental clarity & skin (in topical form) according to "Dr. Perricone' RX for Skin" seen on PBS.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine - (1,000 - 2,000) Naturally, this has to be the expensive form of Carnitine. The acetyl form is the one for the brain.
Hydergine - slows the depositing of lipofuscin
The following is from;
Life Extension: Disease Prevention and Treatment
p. 31
"It has been argued that lipofuscin is formed by lipid peroxidatin, but this seems unlikely insofar as these pigments are primarily composed of protein and carbohydrate.
Recent evidence has shown that glycation (protein cross-linking by sugar) is probably a greater cause of lipofuscin formation than lipid peroxidation.
Hope this helps.
Bye,
Jan
Edited to clarify post.
[This message has been edited by Recipegirl05 (edited 05 January 2005).]
What product am I looking for or is there a product called lipofuscin?
Did a serch under lipofuscin and it was listed in lots of things. I'm probable just confused but need clarification.
Thank you!
Sorry I didn't write that post very clearly.
I was trying to answer your question about Piracetam. I should have said Lymeherx001 and jo3 have tried Piracetam for brain function. (Yep, it looks like I meant lipofuscin-----sorry. I'll go fix it.)
Lipofuscin is what causes age spots or liver spots. Lipofuscin is debris in the brain/liver or anywhere in the body.
You want to get rid of the lipofuscin. It's actually not a product, but the cause of the age spots.
Sorry for any misunderstanding.
Does that help at all?
Jan
I'll search under product information and give it a try!
I'm not suprised...another lovely lyme symptom! My 8 year old has lots of freckles and she was born with lyme.
Take care.
Double-check on this: Piracetam may have gone prescription???? (I thought jo3's Piracetam was RX-----maybe I'm wrong on that.)
Besides, www.lef.org
try this;
http://www.antiaging-systems.com/
It also has tons of information.
Gosh, I didn't know your little angel had LD, too. That's too bad. I'm sure she'll do great with you taking care of her.
Take Care,
Jan
Edited to correct link.
[This message has been edited by Recipegirl05 (edited 05 January 2005).]
with lyme treatment, some of my other odd red spots have gone away though.