I'm confused,can anyone give answers? I got a positive for lyme 3yrs.ago, and went to an Infectios Disease Dr.and they said negative. I then asked them to fax blood work and it shows three bands positive. They said you have to have all 5 bands for it to be positive. The wen to a neurologist and since I have many lesions they said start Copaxone now, so no new ones appear. So, now I'm on Copaxone and antibiotics. They said that it is fine to take antibiotics with the Copaxone. It doesn't have a steriod either. Confused, because the neurologist said I could have both. Does a disease,like lyme bring out Ms symptoms? I read on the internet somewhere that they believe that it comes from a disease or virus.
Any info. would be great and appreciated Thanks Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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I know I've seen this exact post a dozen times - just worded a little differently by different people.
So, you are not alone in what you've been told and what is going on.
Lyme can cause MS. But not all MS is necessary caused by lyme.
If you do a search here even with just "MS" for the medical forum, you will find many great threads - and I think someone who recently also was taking Copaxone, too.
You can also Google "Borrelia, MS" and find many examples where treating lyme resulted in the "MS" symptoms diminishing.
If you go to www.ilads.org - ILADS - and search their articles for one by Goldings "Controversies in Neuroborreliosis" you will find a fabulous article, too.
good luck.
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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Many answers to your questions of today appear in these recent threads, but you can also still find more in the searches suggested above.
Have you been evaluated by a LLMD, one who understands the ILADS research?
What abx (antibiotics) are you one?
Is the cyst form of lyme being addressed?
Have you been assessed for coinfections?
and . . . when did you start the abx and what is the time range for your abx treatment?
I was first dxed with MS in Dec. of 07. I was on Copaxone for one year, and continued to decline. I then found out in Sept. of 08 I was CDC positive for Lyme, and started IV ceftriaxone. I believe you can have Lyme induced MS. My LLMD gave me the option to stay on Copaxone whilst treating with abx, but I chose to go off for a while. God bless you.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Find an LLMD right away!! You need a dr who knows how to treat this longterm.
The lesions of "MS" often disappear with Lyme treatment.
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
lymeherx, here is a very good News story video on Lyme, and it covers at least one person who was misdiagnosed by 4 different experts with MS, but got better once they got properly diagnosed with what was causing it, and treated their Lyme:
**From ABC TV 5, in Boston, MA, Chronicle HD. Originally aired Tuesday, April 21: "Ticked" (four parts - runtime 20:40 minutes)
Others have already explained it well, but I will try to put it in my words as well. MS is a set of symptoms that can likely be caused by several things. Lyme definitely has been shown to cause all of the markers of MS, from lesions in the brain and spinal columns on MRI imagery, to the "oligoclonal bands" in the CSF, as well as the symptoms of MS.
Since you have Lyme bands on your Lyme test, it is the logical step to go to a Lyme specializing Doctor (LLMD) who can evaluate your condition, consider all the possible factors, and treat the Lyme correctly to bring you into remission.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Yes, Lyme induced MS. Been There.
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
Lyme is caused by a specific spirochete, and there is some not so conclusive evidence that MS may be caused by a similar but different species of spirochete.
If you are not sure which is causing symptoms, a good middle of the road treatment would be Low Dose Naltrexone. It halts increasing MS symptoms, and will strengthen the immune response for Lyme Disease.
Thanks for all input, if anyone knows or experienced the same with drs.let me know
It seems like all drs. are guessing and really don't know Posted by DeniseNM (Member # 11182) on :
I was told 11 years ago I had "probable MS", put on Avonex (DON'T TAKE THAT, it's an interferon), quit 2 years ago when I started investigating Lyme.
Finally got a positive Lyme diagnosis, but at the same time experienced more MS lesions. So I decided to take Copaxone while treating the Lyme. I figure that no matter what caused it, I have demylenation in my brain and I can't afford to lose any more of the gray matter! Like Pinelady, I believe the Lyme induced the MS for me, and am hopeful that the lesions will go away with treatment.
In the meantime, to reduce the chances of more lesions forming, I'll take the shots. Actually, time to go do the shot now....
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