LymeNet Flash: Seasonal symptoms?

This is topic Seasonal symptoms? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by monkeydo (Member # 6588) on :

Hi everybody

I've posted a little before but just so you know who I am, I'm Libby from New Zealand and for years its been suspected that I contracted LD when travelling in the US in the late nineties.

I have fairly mild symptoms but pretty much constant joint pain and swelling along with the other random little symptoms that LD seems to present with. Unfortunately the two ELISA tests done over the past few years have come back negative so all the NZ MDs believe me to be LD free. This doesn't wash with me so hence I'm still looking for answers!

Now to my question: Its been summer here and the weather is now cooling down. Over summer the swelling and redness of my feet, ankles and knees has been excrutiating. I cannot even where shoes.

However as the weather is cooling down I have found the swelling is more managable and shoes are an option (thankfully!). I still get the pain (a little reduced due to reduced swelling) but in general i get more relief in the cooler months.

Does anyone find this too or am I an oddball who's barking up the wrong tree?

cheers

Libby

Posted by ShadowHawk (Member # 6263) on :

Hi Libby,

I grew up in the Northern Climate of the U.S. and contracted Lyme there. I would definitely say that the symptoms are seasonal. I had the swelling and such in the warm weather and flu like symptoms in the colder weather. I always felt my best in the Spring and Fall.

Now I've moved farther South because the swelling was easier to deal with than the symptoms and illness I had in the cold weather. I've found that the best way to deal with the swelling was by using Salsalate/Disalcid and by keeping fairly active and drinking plenty of water, etc. Basically, the best thing I found was to stay as active as I could.

Since figuring out I had Lyme...about 6 mos. ago...I've done very well on treatment with Doxycycline and Benicar, using some stronger pain meds. when needed, like Darvocet and Percoset. And, I've been treating other areas of the illness as well. Just started GH replacement and using Cat's Claw as well.

Anyway, yeah. I do notice a change in symptoms related to what the weather is, especially in a temperate climate like yours. (A good friend of mine lives in Auckland.)

Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :

Hey there, monk-
Sounds to me like you have lyme. The tests are notoriously inaccurate. I didn't have a positive test until I was very sick! There are some labs that are better for lyme testing, such as Igenex in CA or Bowen in FL. I don't know about good labs outside of ..'amerika'..., but I think you need to find a doctor who is not ignorant about tick-borne diseases. In this country such docs are hard to find. You probably have a better state of affairs there doctor-wise, but may need to use one of the labs I mentioned. Even still, you could have a 'negative' test and still have lyme, especially if you have one or more "co-infections" such as babesia or ehrlichia. Your doctor needs to be aware of that; otherwise you might be cut off from treatment when you need it most.
DaveS

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

WELCOME To LYMENET

Here's more goodys! A typical response to newcomers.

Hi and WELCOME! Get a LLMD or at least Dr that is willing to learn about lyme. Borrelia Burgdorferi is a clinical diagnosis, based on symptoms and on your response to treatment. Good Luck, bumpy road ahead.

Post for a LLMD in Seeking a Doctor. Ps remember I am not a Dr, just a fellow sufferer.

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