Another problem is that ticks carry multiple germs, and a doc that is up on these diseases would have checked you for more than one disease, which indicates your current doc is not one of the best informed.

How long has this been going on? If it is an early case, then you have a window of opportunity to knock this thing out. Really important to catch it early.
 

Still, I wonder how you could have the SX and the rash and not be infected. I still would seek an LLMD and treatment for lyme. Remember lla2 treated with abx and then did hormones.

I just don't think your Sx are all due to peri-menopause. True, it can be confusing to sort out symptoms. I would just be careful of assuming this is all one thing or the other. A good LLMD will be able to help you figure out the problem and the treatment.

One other thing, if your doc was only going to give yu a month of abx for the lyme you really need to find an LLMD. You can do that by posting on Seeking a doctor section of this board.
http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=2&SUBMIT=Go

hope this helps,
robi

PS I am 44 soon to be 45 women also and wonder about night sweats being babs or perimenouase as well. Still treating lyme and coinfections and getting better.
 

My list has everything from "go home and get pregnant" to instructions on how to give your husband oral sex--to make you feel better.
 

I saw the doctor within two weeks. They took 7 vials of blood and tested for a variety of things. Diabetes, Lukemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Lyme Disease. It was that first test they did with Lyme that came back positive but when they did the confirming test, it came back negative.

I saw my doc again on May 10 when she gave me the news that the first test came back positive, but she was going to test it again and if came back the same she would start the antibiotics for 4 weeks; and from everything that I've read, that is not long enough. This time, she added HIV onto the list of tests to be run in addition to the Lyme test.

On May 17, I saw her yet again. Complaining of severe headaches, stiff neck, shoulder pain. My sweats are not during the night, but during the daytime. The swelling in my hands and feet comes and goes, although the joint pain and muscle pain remains constant.

From what she can tell, there is nothing infectious going on that gives a reason for all of my symptoms; hence she said I must be premenopausal. There is one more test result that is pending, but she doesn't feel it will show anything.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kara Tyson:
OMG...you're kidding..LOL...unbelieveable what some doctors must think eh?

I actually keep a list of what patients were told was wrong for them. Menopause is way up on the list.

My list has everything from "go home and get pregnant" to instructions on how to give your husband oral sex--to make you feel better.

---

I just meant that after all htat treatment mine then turned to perimenopause adn I would still be treating the same symtoms had I not throught of peri....now I feel great...

but rule out lyme first, especilaly with your rash etc...every other symptom you mentioned though, including the headaches, nedchache , sweats, joint pain , muscle aches etc...I have had with peri and are now all gone..I also had severe dizziness as well...peri!!easy to see how other things can be confused.

but i did have lyme first and NEEDED to be treated....so see a good llmd.

Lisa

Lisa
 

You had a rash [EM?] You most likely had a positive ELISA [rare indeed!] and then perhaps a Western Blot that the dr didn't know how to read. I say LYME all over the place.

Can you post the results of your Western Blot? [ask them to fax it to you] There are certain bands that if they showed up, you have Lyme indeed.

And yes, hormone testing is important. Once my LLMD balanced mine, I felt alot better. But you need antibiotics NOW.

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu
 

Find a LLMD.

b
 

That said, all my perimenopause symptoms(maybe lyme)(my hormones were fine) are gone after two years of treatment for lyme and co-infections. I'm 49 and haven't felt this good in 6 years.

THe low carb diet for lyme/abx is also useful for perimenopause. If after evaluation you have both, many of the lifestyle/diet changes needed will be benifical for both issues.

In both cases a good doctor is needed.

Mel

Mel
 

I agree with Mel, could be both. Get re-tested and/or just start treatment and see how you do. You had the rash - isn't planer than day than that.

Bc
 

Lots of good info in these responses.
Just shows how complicated it is dealing with these Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs).

In my case, the menopause symptoms ended when I was diagnosed & treated for Lyme & Babesiosis.

I'm not a dr, but my opinion -
Get copies of your lab work right away. Sometimes these have a way of getting lost.

Your first test (positive) was probably the ELISA. The LDF brochure says "Titer (ELISA or IFA): About 36% of culture-confirmed cases remain seronegative during infection."
Since yours was positive & you have typical symptoms, this should be enough evidence to diagnose LD.

The second test (negative) was probably the Western Blot. If all the bands were not reported and/or the dr did not know how to read the results, this could be a false negative.

The LDF brochure gives a list of lots of reasons for "false negative" test results.
Only 2 reasons given for "false positive".

If you post the results of your Western Blot here, you could get some valuable info on what the reported bands mean.

The earlier the diagnosis & treatment of Lyme, the better the results - but ONLY IF the treatment is adequate (strong enough & long enough).

Go to Seeking a Dr here on LymeNet & put your location in the title. Make an appt with a LLMD as soon as possible for an evaluation.

On the left, click Support Groups for your state & surrounding states. Good source of references for LLMDs.
You need a dr with a lot of satisfied Lyme customers.

Print "Diag Hints & Treat Guidelines..." at www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.htm
It's about 32 pages of excellent info written by one of the best LLMDs.
pages 16-18: Antibiotic choices and recommended doses & length of treatment

You could show this to your dr & see if she would treat NOW according to Dr B's Guidelines.

If not, take it with your "positive test results" to another dr & try to get treatment started.

Some people have gotten Lyme treatment at Doctor's Care or similar walk-in drs' office.
I would consider this only a temporary measure. You need to have a LLMD in charge.