Hi, I started hiking since last October and I have been experiencing some symptoms that are similar to lyme, but my blood test came out negative last week. Please advise if I should find a LLMD or I should check with neurologist and Rheumatologis first? Thank you!
Here are the symptoms Joints pain- from feet to hands... light pain/manageble pain. It's discomfort and annoying and seems like it's getting worse nowadays... started with knee joints and arm joints half year ago, now it's almost all over the body
Muscle pain/tightness/stiffness- mostly in the leg area
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body - not often
Feeling of pressure/heaviness in the head- on and off, it can last more than a week
Numbness and tingling in the fingers - on and off
Insomnia -Difficulty falling or staying asleep. average about3 to 4 hours of sleeping/night.. It's been going on for almost a year.
Mood swings & Unusual depression
Overemotional reactions, crying easily- almost everyday
some memory loss
Speech issue
Vision is not as good as used to be
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
What kind of test did you have done? If it's the ELISA isn't not very accurate, only about 50%.
Given that you have Lyme-like symptoms and they all started after a hike, I'd go see a Lyme doctor for screening. Your symptoms do sound like Lyme is a possibility.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I agree...lyme is in the picture and I bet Bartonella and possibly babesia too.
FWIW...my ELISA was negative orginally...and it was wrong. Get to an LLMD and get an IGENEX western blot for lyme.
Posted by climber (Member # 26330) on :
Hello, Check in with a LLMD and run the tests. You may end up seeing you primary doctor or an Infectious Disease doctor, but with the possibility of Lyme, you may consider what they say not completely valuable(as it relates to Lyme) and focus on a Lyme Literate doctor. Good luck climber
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
It sure sounds like lyme. Find a LLMD to get diagnosed because you don't want to delay treatment if it is lyme.
Even if you test negative a LLMD will give you doxycycline to see how you react. If there is no change you are less likely to have lyme. If it is lyme you will herx and your symptoms will be much worse OR you will just feel better.
It does sound like you have multiple infections but almost everyone does. I hope you get help right away. So smart of you to be proactive early on so you don't wind up with a chronic infection.
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
With those symptoms, i would look into LYME seriously.
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
I concur, start your quest to obtain a LLMD. In the mean time start taking garlic to build up your immunity for the antibiotics that will follow.
Try some of the herbal anti fungal, parasitic, herbs. This is what I would do if I had to go back in time.
Posted by hopeful4 (Member # 8486) on :
Welcome to Lymenet. Sorry you are experiencing so many symptoms. I would seriously consider Lyme and coinfections as the possible cause.
It is best to find an LLMD who follows the ILADS guidelines. (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society at www.ilads.org You may want to check out the website yourself for info.
I would not recommend a neurologist or rheumatologist to start off with. In most cases they are not trained in diagnosing lyme disease.
Even with testing, Lyme is ultimately a clinical diagnosis. Therefore an LLMD is your best bet.
To find a LLMD on Lymenet, go to Seeking Doctor. If you post the location you are looking to find a doctor right into the "topic", it will be easier to get appropriate responses.