Well, after a 2 year break between doc visits, I went back this morning.
Along with two new ABX prescriptions and 9 new supplements...
I am also being tested for Ehrlichia and Babesia duncani.
I've dealt with Babs before so pretty much know what to expect, but can't seem to find much on Ehrlichia symptoms.
Anyone care to share their personal experiences?
Thanks in advance, Melanie
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
I don't really know a ton about it, but here's some of the symptoms I found on it. My LLMD and I suspect I have Ehrlichia, but we really don't know especially since my test was negative for it from IGeneX. The only reason to believe I have it though is because of the low white blood cell count I've had for a very long time. Ehrlichia causes a low white blood cell count in about 50% of people who have it. The rest have normal cell counts.
Symptoms:
Fever Chills Headache Malaise Muscle aches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Cough Joint pains Confusion Rash: Fine pinhead-sized areas of bleeding in the skin (petechial rash) Flat red rash (maculopapular rash) Severely ill patients can develop abnormally low numbers of white blood cells, abnormally low numbers of platelets, and kidney failure.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Thanks Dearheart!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey hey..
I was just talking about you today and mentioned I thought your appointment was today. Glad you posted about it.
Ehrick symptoms are much like RMSF symptoms.
Doxy early on normally will kick it. If you've been re-exposed since doxy... you might have it?
Or if it went a long time without treatment originally.. you could have it.
Mine comes back.. it has several times... and normally I "feel it" most in the hot summer months and have not been re-exposed.. UNLESS the mosquitoes are giving me it.
I don't doubt that can happen (mosquitoes) but then again, I am not the CDC who knows everything. HA!
It can live in water in a pond.. so fish can have it. When the water dries up, the Ehrick stays there.
High fevers make me know it is back... and tests show positive when that happens.
I also feel bone dead tired... and weak/limp... not like the other zillion symptoms. Not so much muscle or bone pain .. not much at all really.
Just a totally- not moving- don't even think about trying to move- exhaustion.
Oh.. and head aches. From the fever and/or Ehrick... not sure which. But they feel like "fever" induced headaches.
The ONLY help is the doxy for me.. at least that I've taken when this happens and have noted over the years that it helps.
I also got a RMSF looking rash on my wrist and arm- the wrist you burned with that rope-end melting trick (HA!).
Erick can cause the rash but it is reported that a rash with Erick doesn't happen often.
If you can't tell I am just rattling and writing.
Glad you saw a real doctor too!
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Do I know rope tricks?
Thanks for the rambling- you always give me something to think about when you do that.
Bone tired certainly does describe how I am feeling recently. Doc is also checking adrenals, thyroid, hormones and other stuff that I have no clue about...too tired to really care today.
Dunkin donuts!
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi Melanie,
I'm positive for both forms of Ehrlichia (now Anaplasma), have been on years of Doxy and Rifampin and neither kicked it, although my titers came down a bit.
I honestly don't know which of my symptoms are Ehrlichia, and my LLMDs haven't really pinpointed it either. I have a feeling maybe the constant muscle aches in my legs might be Ehrlichia, but even with having both forms for five years, my white count is still fine (thank goodness). So it's really a mystery.
I keep hearing that Doxy will knock it out but I guess I can't seem to clear the infections or got some virulent strains or something. I was bitten in Southern California, but never heard of any particular California strains but who knows.
Take care, Jill
Posted by Cadames62008 (Member # 16275) on :
Rifmantin and doxy kicked it for me or only time will tell if it stays gone.
i had alll the symtoms as above but major weight loss also.
You might have answered my question about my blood not clotting.
They did a test and think my blood does not clot cause my platelettes are extremely low.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hi Melanie! I hope you get some help with this!
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Thank you everyone- really! I've been pretty down today, and you all (that's ya'll for Miss Toots) always know how to make a gal feel loved and cared for.
I am new to this Lyme & Co. Infections. I was diagnosed in Oct. 08 with Lyme and Ehrilichia. I will tell you my problems and you can match them with the other folks who have posted and compare them. I wanted a symptoms list to see the differences between Babs and Ehrlichia, but from the information I have read, a lot of the symptoms seem to overlap a lot.
I have the Exhaustion mentioned above by Tincup and it is probably the most appropriate description I have ever heard or tried to relay to my doctors and family/friends. "bone dead tired... the weak/limp don't even think about trying to move-exhaustion"
I think I could live with most of the other symptoms if I could get rid of the Darn fatigue. It is killing me. I can't get anything done!!
I also get headaches (dibilitating), sinus infections, bronchitis, have terrible allergies, I get motion sickness easily, lights and sounds can send me straight into a headache, I also have joint pain in my knees and hands (but it is not daily, it is off and on), and I have stabbing shoulder pain.
My best guess is that I have had lyme/ehrlichia for 20 years. My Erhlichia was detected by Quest, which is very rare!! Their test normally isn't senstive enough.
So, I am not sure which symptoms are from the Lyme and what symptoms are from the Ehrlichia. If someone has a better symptoms list (the only one I have foud is in Dr. B's list of co-infections) please share!!
Thanks, Shalome
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
Oh, Melanie,
I forgot, I also have pretty bad hot/cold intolerances. The cold makes my bones hurt, and the heat makes me feel like I am going to pass out.
Along with the depression/aggitation. I get really aggravated very quickly by others. I think it is because I am just too tired to spend time trying get others to "get it". I have a mild case of road rage.......I know, I am sorry, I don't like to admit that I am rude, but being sick all the time just brings out the worst in me.
Thanks, Shalome
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Thanks for the links Carol and Betty!
Shalome, I do have some of the symptoms you listed- headaches, sinus infections, severe allergies and heat/cold issues are the most troublesome for me along with the fatigue presently. Also, the shoulder pain that I dealt with last year has returned.
My best to you in your continued treatment...and thanks for taking the time to share.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Feeling any better yet bug a boo?
Hope so!
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hey there,
Actually, yes, I am feeling better today! The physical stuff is the same, but my outlook has returned to normal.
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