Hi there. I am a veterinary technician. I have swollen painful lymphnodes, fatigue and weakness. I visited the doctor last week for these symptoms. I didn't think about lyme dz because I have never seen a tick on my body. I was thinking that I work with a lot of dogs with ticks who are lyme positive, so I assume that I could have been bitten by a tick and didn't know it. I feel terrible! I had routine bloodwork done and I am waiting for the results. Does anyone know if lyme changes other blood values?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Welcome..
Or shall I say, Bow WOW.. glad you are here!
Nah.. don't mind me.. I am 1/2 nuts. And if anyone says I'm not.. give them a lolli-pop!
If I were you, I would check out the possibility of having Lyme. About 1/2 the folks with Lyme didn't remember a tick bite.. and about 1/2 didn't get a rash.
Due to your exposure.. kinda high.. it would be something I would look into.
I'd also consider Bartonella hensleae (sp?) and Bartonella quintana.. which can be tested through Quest Lab locally... or Igenex Lab in CA.
As for changing other lab values.. it might or it might not. Do you have those results back yet?
Sorry to hear you are feeling like a toad. Did your doc start you on medication yet?
Let us know how we can help.. ok?
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Melissa,
I was bitten by the Lyme tick while feeding a cat - and it wasn't even my cat! And I've met other Lyme patients who contracted tick-borne diseases from their pets or working with animals. So it is a very real possibility.
When I was searching for a Lyme doctor, a family friend told me about a veterinarian in the northern part of my state (which is known for lots of Lyme) who contracted Lyme from his work.
Not to scare you but he did develop vision problems in one eye from it, so it is very smart that you are acting on this quickly.
I spent 18 months trying to get a diagnosis, seeing all kinds of specialists, and my countless tests were all normal.
It was not until I figured out I had Lyme and then had tests conducted by a true, certified tick-borne disease lab (IGeneX) that the positives came rolling in.
Plus, symptomatically, I was a classic neurological Lyme patient.
So if you are looking for a Lyme-literate Medical Doctor (LLMD), please post on the Seeking Doctors section.
We are here to help you. You've found a good place.
Jill
Posted by DocLand (Member # 7794) on :
With the symptom of swollen and painful lymph nodes, please also get tested specifically for cat scratch fever/disease, as this can be a common presentation. I know of two veterinarians who have had this. Good luck. Kristie
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would like to add that in my opinion, fleas can carry the lyme and other bacteria.
Pretty easy for you to get bit by SOMETHING which carries the bacteria.
Be sure to find a dr willing to treat. MANY WON'T!!
We have what we call LLMD's....Lyme Literate MD's...it would be a good idea to begin your search for one.
Melissa, I'll send you a PM, private message with 19 pages of newbie links/advise/symptoms.
WHICH lab did your western blot IGM / IGG go to? We personally think IGENEX, CALIF. is the best where it breaks down which bands are found positive/UND/IND.
When you get your results, please post them, and others will come along to explain them to you.
CRUCIAL you get a LLMD appt. scheduled NOW!! We can't emphasize that enough to you so you can be CURED!
Many of us with chronic lyme can't be cured, and hope to go into remission. Few folks succeed.
FYI, my classmate vet got many bulls-eye rashes from working on a dog/cat. She got enough antibiotics for a long enough time to have been cured. She told me this when she visited me from her out of state visit after my lyme dx. Bettyg Posted by melissa k (Member # 10316) on :
Hello again. Thanks for all of your help and advice My doc did mention cat scratch dz and mono. Hopefully I will find something out today. I will keep you posted! Melissa
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
"I had routine bloodwork done and I am waiting for the results. Does anyone know if lyme changes other blood values?"
Sometimes high/low values are described as one symptom. Unfortunately, not all people with lyme display this. Blood counts can be in the "normal" range, and you still have the active infection. This is misleading to dr's who then think nothing is wrong with you. Actually, those md's just did not use the best test: Igenix.
My mundane blood counts were normal.......yet, I was CDC + for IgG, and almost had CDC + for IgM. (1+, 2 indeterminates on their selected bands).
Northstar
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
Posted by melissa k (Member # 10316) on :
Hello everyone. Just an update. Well as usual all my labs were normal. I went back to the doctor yesterday and they had no idea what to do with me. I asked them to check for Lyme but it is only an antibody test.
I know that even in animals this is not reliable. They also checked a sed rate and MMR titre. They put me on zithromax and I feel a little better, but it usually goes away for a day and comes back twice a strong. They even told me it was probably a virus! they are crazy!
I emailed a LLMD but I am sure thay are super busy- Melissa Posted by melissa k (Member # 10316) on :
Hello everyone. Just an update. Well as usual all my labs were normal. I went back to the doctor yesterday and they had no idea what to do with me. I asked them to check for Lyme but it is only an antibody test.
I know that even in animals this is not reliable. They also checked a sed rate and MMR titre. They put me on zithromax and I feel a little better, but it usually goes away for a day and comes back twice a strong. They even told me it was probably a virus! they are crazy!
I emailed a LLMD but I am sure thay are super busy- Melissa Posted by melissa k (Member # 10316) on :
Hello everyone. Just an update. Well as usual all my labs were normal. I went back to the doctor yesterday and they had no idea what to do with me. I asked them to check for Lyme but it is only an antibody test.
I know that even in animals this is not reliable. They also checked a sed rate and MMR titre. They put me on zithromax and I feel a little better, but it usually goes away for a day and comes back twice a strong. They even told me it was probably a virus! they are crazy!
I emailed a LLMD but I am sure thay are super busy- Melissa Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Melissa....begin your search for an LLMD....get an appointment. There is usually a long waiting list.
Posted by melissa k (Member # 10316) on :
Hi everyone. Well there is no new news as to what is happening with me. I had a question though. 3 days ago my whole arm began to swell. My hand feels like it is burning or like it is in warm water or something. The doc yet again do not know why. Does this sound familliar to anyone? Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
THe sooner you treat the better your chances are of a quicker recovery get a llmd.
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