Hi, I have been having strange symptoms for a while. I started having chronic ovarian cysts in April then I was diagnosed with gastritis in November of 2010. Soon after i started having severe heart palpitations and shortness of breath. I also have chronic dizziness. I have had CT and MRI of the head (negative) and heart echo and halter monitor were ok. My main concern right now is I get severe burning of my skin (on back, forehead, scalp). I will have these spells where I get extreme dizzy and skin burns severely and I feel like I am going to faint. Did any of you have these symptoms. It is scary to me.
However, I really don't have much pain. Just minor leg and back pain at times.
Could this be lyme?
Dr. did tests for lupus and Ana came back positive so he is sending me to a rheumatologist. I just don't want to get misdiagnosed as having lupus if it could really be lyme.
I am getting tested through Igenex next week.
Thanks for any help/advice.
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Remember, I am not a doctor, so this is just my opinion...
Although lyme is most likely in the mix, your symptoms sound more like Babesia (shortness of breath or air hunger, dizziness, heart palps) and Bartonella (heart palps, burning skin, leg pain).
A rheumatologist told me I couldn't possibly have lyme (although I had a tick, a rash and symptoms starting 3 days later) but that I had lupus instead.
I strongly encourage you to find an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor) who is ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) trained.
To find an LLMD, go back to "Questions and Discussion" and then click on "Seeking a Doctor." Post your question there and someone will help you.
Posted by vdean (Member # 30190) on :
Thanks so much for your info. How do I get tested for these other two things? I am new to this and have heard of the two but not sure what they are. I guess I need to do more research.
So are you getting treated for the lupus or seeing llmd? I am not going to know what to do if my rheumatologist tells me I have lupus. I really think my symptoms point more towards lyme related diseases.
Yes, i am in the process of finding a llmd.
Again, thanks so much for the information.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
A positive ANA is fairly common with Lyme. My daughter had that as well. This does manifest as an autoimmune disease. Your symptoms, chronic ovarian cysts, heart palps, dizziness, are very similar to mine. Many of those symptoms do improve with treatment.
You do need to get tested and find a good LLMD/LLND as soon as you can.
Posted by vdean (Member # 30190) on :
Thanks so much for your info. I am getting tested next week and sending it to igenex lab. I can't wait to get the results back (which I should have back before I see a rheumatologist on the 15th of feb). I am just so ready to get to the bottom of this. Again, thanks so much for your help. vdean
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I also had a positive ANA and it went back to normal after Lyme treatment.
Nearly ALL rheumatologists will dx MS or Lupus WAY before Lyme or any tick borne illnesses. Why? Because they know nothing about TBD's. (tick borne diseases)
Whoever is doing the Igenex test for you should be willing to do the bartonella and babesia tests also. You can have them all done at Igenex.
When having the blood drawn for the labwork, make sure you are having it done on Mon or Tues. You do not want the blood to be sitting in a post office over the weekend. It will skew the results.
Western Blot testing for Lyme:
Test #188 and 189 www.igenex.com Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
quote:Originally posted by vdean: How do I get tested for these other two things? So are you getting treated for the lupus or seeing llmd?
vdean, an LLMD might order a test for these coinfections. Or he might diagnose you clinically like mine did.
My symptoms have been obvious and coinfection tests are not 100% accurate, so understanding symptoms is important.
Keeping a daily health diary has helped me and my doctor enormously to figure out what is going on with my body.
I am not being treated for lupus. I am being treated for lyme by an LLMD and have gone from 30% to 95% healthy in a year.
I had a tick, a bull's eye, symptoms starting 3 days later - this pointed directly at lyme & coinfections, not lupus. I think Rheumys just like the word.
Oh, forgot to say, I had positive ANA too.
Posted by vdean (Member # 30190) on :
Thanks a billion guys! Very helpful info!
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
It really sounds like you need a LLMD.
I've had hte severe heart palpitations, chronic dizziness, body pain all over and burning of the skin (My whole body) for over 3 years.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
I would also get tested for Coxsackie B and echovirus at ARUP lab due to your gastritis: