I've had some medical issues lately and looking for some help. My doctor (and opthamologist) has not been much help, but maybe I can point them in the right direction.
Anyway after reading about Lyme symptoms I'm a bit worried. Here's my situation:
Almost two years ago I wasn't feeling well at all for weeks at a time.
Best way to describe it was "malaise" but I would also get pretty dizzy sometimes, especially lying in bed at night.
Not really any other symptoms until I started getting some pus/discharge under my bottom eyelids.
Then I went to urgent care and they diagnosed pinkeye, sinus infection, and ear infection. I went on antibiotics, both oral and eye drops. My eyes cleared up but when I went back to doctor my ears still looked infected so they put me on strong antibiotics.
After that, okay. However about a month later I developed really bad "floaters" in my eyes. It's VERY VERY distracting and I've had them ever since. It is depressing, frankly.
I also have "flashers" where I see random little bright squiggly lines, especially looking at a blue sky or bright white wall. The floaters are "strings" of stuff as well as clear dots and occasional tiny black dots.
Anyway, opthamologist said retina was fine. They thought it was posterior viterous detachment since I am very nearsighted. Said there was nothing I can do.
Now flash forward to the last month or so. Dizziness came back.
I also started getting random little itchy bumps on my hands and back. They looked like flea bites. They are now almost gone. after lasting a few weeks.
Also had one big 1" circular itchy rash on my ankle (though not the "halo" pattern). That has almost gone away with hydrocortisone cream.
Anyway I just went to doctor about the dizziness and she said it looks like ear infection. Gave me amoxycillin.
Took one pill last night and had a horrible reaction with red splotches and hives all over my body. Had to go to emergency room. They gave me a shot of bennadryl and I'm fine now.
Doc at the emergency room though said it does not look like ear infection, my ears look fine except for some fluid. But when I went to the first doctor, I had swollen and painful glands in my neck?
Also have had "anxious" feelings, restless limbs and such, but most people tell me that's probably stress, which is possible I guess.
Any ideas? I'm going back to my family doctor tomorrow morning. I'm concerned about Lyme disease.
Oh I've also had heart palpitations that come and go. Scary at first but now I'm sort of used to them.
I've ignored it since my uncle says he's had the same thing most of his life, though when it first started I was on an heart monitor to doublecheck.
Thanks very much.
[ 04. March 2008, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: carlivar ]
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
WELCOME! glad you found us.
i sent you my lengthy newbie package with info galore including several LONG LYME SYMPTOMS LISTS....check it out good ok!
private messages, pms, can be found on left side under HELLO by flashing light and in my profile. Posted by carlivar (Member # 14852) on :
I just learned about Herxheimer Reactions.
I'm pretty sure that's what I had last night (rashes and hives all over).
This points me further in the direction of Lyme.
My general MD seems a bit clueless but we'll see.
Posted in the Seeking a Doctor board for a Los Angeles recommendation if anyone can help.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
My advice is to get educated!!!
Make sure you get correctly tested. Most GPs don't have a clue. Find out the tests you need and get them ordered for you. I would recommend the IGeneX Lyme test and the Fry Labs Babesia and Bartonella tests--both blood smear and titers. Some LLMDs want the genetic toxin clearing information (don't remember the name of the test--it's done by LabCorp). I would also do 25-D and 1,25-D, which are done at Quest Diagnostics. When done at other labs, the results are unreliable.
Use the search function at this site to find out about symptoms, treatment protocols, etc.
Best,
Cass A (in So. California just up the 101 from you)
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Wondering how you are doing today? Any more news from doctor?
You said...
"I'm pretty sure that's what I had last night (rashes and hives all over)."
That may actually have been an allergic reaction. I would NOT write it off as a herx.
The next time you take the same med you might not make it to the hospital if it was an allergic reaction.
Just want to be sure you are safe.
Posted by swedish lyme sufferer (Member # 14579) on :
My guess: lyme + bartonella!
Keep on going! It�s gonna take time...
Posted by lymeflox (Member # 10543) on :
You mention:
"My eyes cleared up but when I went back to doctor my ears still looked infected so they put me on strong antibiotics".
Which were those strong antibiotics and for how long did you take them?
Posted by carlivar (Member # 14852) on :
"Which were those strong antibiotics and for how long did you take them?"
I'm afraid I don't know. It was almost 2 years ago.
I'm going to pull my medical records and find out. It was only for 7-10 days though. Probably not enough for Lyme, but that wasn't a consideration at the time.
One question for everyone:
The one major symptom I don't have is joint pain. I've read that knee pain is very common. I do not have this.
Is that a good sign?
Posted by trish4 (Member # 14156) on :
No its not necessarily a good sign because a lot of people dont have knee/joint pain. Lyme affects everyone different. Ive had it for 3 years now and only recently (the past month) started having some knee pain.
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