I was on ABX for 1 year and 9 months for Lyme. I have been off the ABX now since April. However since August I have been experiencing woosiness and a rocking sensation which is driving me crazy. Sometimes I lose my balance. I had these same sysmptoms initially but now I do not have any other Lyme symptoms-YET! Could these feelings be from Lyme without any other symptoms?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Sorry.
Q: Could these feelings be from Lyme without any other symptoms?
Yes.
However, it also could be other infections, whether a tick-borne infection raring up or a common virus that might be going around.
Ear damage, too, can show up at any time if stressors are too many.
Heavy metals and exposure to chemicals can also affect the ears.
Liver &/or kidney stress can also cause inner ear symptoms.
Be sure to look up any meds you may be taking (OTC products, too).
Mold ? Be sure to avoid mold exposure.
The rocking sensation is likely mal de embarquement, similar to the umbrella term "meniere's syndrome" but can have various causes.
* I suggest going back to your LLMD, or asking that LLMD if they can suggest a good
* LL neurotologist (neuro-otologist) who can assess you for inner/middle ear tissue or bone influences but also for any brain stuff that may be contributing to this.
You might look over the Vestibular Symptoms list to see if there are some things on there to note. It's important to know that every one of those symptoms can be caused by lyme, other tick-borne infections, other chronic stealth infections - or other things.
A diet free of gluten, dairy, corn and soy is usually suggested by ear doctors. Low salt is often suggested but, for many with lyme who have POTS or NMH (low blood pressure upon standing or continued standing), they need a bit more sea salt in their diet so it's a balancing act (har, har).
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS
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GINGER CAPSULES & MAGNESIUM are two things you can take now that may help.
Some people do well with certain anti-vertigo or anti-nausea drugs but they've always made things worse for me (likely as they stress the liver, adding to toxicity that can create vertigo to begin with). In studies, Ginger capsules have shown to be just as effective. You need the capsules to achieve therapeutic levels but Ginger Tea can help some, too.
ALLICIN I also highly suggest getting some ALLICIN capsules today. You can take Allicin with Ginger. Each work differently.
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT, too, is a good option to offer some support until you can get in to see your LLMD or a LL ear specialist. You can also take OLE with Ginger. Each work differently.
Good luck. -
[ 10-16-2010, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
Hi - I noticed it looks like the site has been down for several hours today, so it's been very slow. Usually someone would have replied to you by now.
It certainly could be a Lyme relapse, which if it is, you can tackle it much more easily this time around, according to those that have relapsed.
I would be concerned that you have other co-infections that were never treated by the antibiotics you were on. Things like Babesia and Bartonella need other meds.
I would recommend seeing a Lyme-literate MD and getting evaluated for co-infections, and a possible Lyme relapse.
Untreated co-infections can make Lyme much harder to keep down, and can definitely increase your odds of a relapse.
It's good you only have the one symptom so far - that hopefully gives you a leg up, starting from a healthier position.
There is also the possibility that you could have an inner ear infection, or some other issue causing your symptom. It's best to get to an LLMD because they are well-versed in looking for other possible causes first.
Lyme can also affect the inner ear and vestibular system. It can cause permanent damage in some folks' inner ears, so it's best to get checked out as soon as possible. I'm not sure if Bartonella and Babesia also infect the inner ear, but I wouldn't doubt the possibility.
Best wishes.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- To be sure you are as free as possible of chemical exposure, see the post here for MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity).
Whether you sense a sensitivity or not, it's best to go scent-free. If you have gas heat or a gas dryer - or a gas stove - air out your home daily, open windows at the highest level of your home to draw out the excess gases (mostly the stuff the add to make gas smell bad).
Use stove's exhaust fan before turning on or turning off any burner.
Most importantly, call your LLMD. All these other things can help but if lyme is connected, as is highly likely, they will not correct the underlying cause. If you were not assessed for coinfections, now is certainly the time to do so, or revisit that. As other posters suggest, babesia or bartonella are huge matters for the ears.
AVOID STEROIDS - Some ear doctors love to suggest steroids. That is why only a LL neurotologist ( or a LL ENT) is suggested. A LL doctor knows that steroids are to be avoided until an emergency and then, only with very specific anti-infective measures.
Take care. -
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
A common symptom of Bartonella is dizziness. A common symptom of Babesia is a tipsy feeling.
LymeMD Blog: 3/4 of the way down: Wednesday, March 3, 2010
BABESIA, Babesiosis, blood parasites, malaria like organisms, piroplasms-protozoa: all refer to the same Lyme associated co-infection
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In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about:
I would encourage EVERY person who has received a lyme diagnosis to get the following tests.
- at link. -
[ 10-16-2010, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
I also forgot about encephalopathy - that can cause dizziness and similar symptoms as well.
It can be caused by brain inflammation and swelling from infections.
One of the other common symptoms of encephalopathy is "brain fog".
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
sounds like your symptoms are coming back. mine are mostly in my head too, other than severe muscle pain.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- This time of the year can test the ears on various levels. Storms, wind, barometric pressure can flip the world on a dime.
Before you turn on your heat, either clean out ducts (install new filter) -- or wash off heaters, radiators so that dust and mold are not released into the air. If mold spores are on the heater, when they get warm they will pop open and have a wild frat party in your home.
If you have windows open on nice days, be sure that moist leaves are not taking a nap outside right under the window.
Try to get some sunshine into your ears.
A NETI POT to irrigate sinuses is also of help. Cold tap water, boiled and then cooled to tepid (never use warm water from the tap), add a little sea salt, not too much. "Recipes" for proper amount can be found on Google or YouTube. -
Posted by anthropisces (Member # 15672) on :
Years ago, my head used to do this weird buzzing sort of thing, before I got any other symptoms. It would do it for months at a time.
Just a month ago it came back. I'm assuming its bart related. I'm on Rifampin, etc. and think it may be a herx.
I think what you have is Lyme or coinf related.
Posted by jackie81 (Member # 27031) on :
Keebler--Just want you to know that the first link you put about bartonella does not work
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Thanks, it's been corrected. I had left off the last letter of the link. -