Take care, Lisa
Welcome to Lymenet.
I agree with gonecrazy, it's so different for everyone. Some people don't herx and feel better and better, and then some herx alot and it gets worse before it gets better.
If you have been sick a long time though, it's probably gonna take a while before you feel well enough to go back to work.
Hang in there, and like Lisa said..you are not alone here, we all care.
Beverly
Lisa & Beverly have given you some good info & advice.
I want to add that your tears should be tears of joy since you now have a diagnosis & you've started treatment.
Just think about all the people with un-diagnosed cases of Lyme disease who are just getting worse & worse.
I hope that you are under the care of a real Lyme Literate Med Dr (LLMD).
How much Doxycycline are taking per day?
Are you taking acidophilus to replenish the good bacteria in your system?
Has your dr tested you for co-infections like Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella?
It's difficult to answer your question about what to expect because everyone is different & I don't know what your symptoms are.
Ex: neuro symptoms or muscle aches?
Have you seen "Links for new LymeNet members"? It's reliable info on all aspects of Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs).
Also, if you haven't done so, print "Diag Hints & Treatment Guidelines..." at www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html
It's 32 pages of great info, kinda like a medical textbook on TBDs written in "Reader's Digest" format.
Try to look at the positive side of things, get plenty of rest, mild exercise as you are able (never overdo), try to eliminate sugar, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, take nutritional supplements (Dr B gives info in his guidelines), etc, etc.
Do everything you can to boost your immune system.
Learn all you can so you'll be an informed patient & can work with your dr.
Keep in touch & let us know how you're doing.
We care!
Lisa & Beverly have given you some good info & advice.
I want to add that your tears should be tears of joy since you now have a diagnosis & you've started treatment.
Thank you all for your encouragement. Indeed I am happy to finally have a label and hope that I may heal, and it isn't al in my head.
Ok, this is what's going on so far with my treatment. I'm taking doxy 100mg/2x/d for 2wks, then up to 200mg/2x/d...but I have an appt with LLMD, Dr. R in Stamford, CT on Nov 8th, so all that my change.
For suppliments, I'm taking acidophilus 3xs/d, EPA/DHA, numerous anti oxidants, B-12 IM abt every 2 days, Liver enzyme support, Lung specific support, and will start on a thymus protocal in a few days. I am also getting Magnesuim iv push once a week from my Naturopath.
I have had nuerological, heart, lung, and gi symptoms, vision changes, hearing problems, skin ithcing and erruptions, some hair loss, as well as muscle cramping and tremors/spasms.
I have recieved wonderful support from my Naturopath, and IMT treatments to reinflated my lungs when they colapsed, help with all symptoms and releave pain and anxiety.
Today, I made myself eat plain yogurt cuz I was tired of eggs, and need to make sure I get some protien early enough in the day before I take the doxy. I have been on a low/no carb-sugar diet since March as part of a detox, before the lyme dx, and I am resuming that with a little bit of cheating still. I drink a lot of mineral water, and weak organic green tea, to keep toxins moving.
My biggest questions are abt exercise. Even though I've had un-dx'ed lyme for years, I've been physically very active.... skiing 1-2x/wk in the winter, walking almost daily, with a 4-6 mile walk once/wk, swimming regularly, kayaking and sailing ocasionally. Sometimes, granted, I'm exhausted, but when not, I move. I don't want to loose my ability to move. I'm thinking abt joining a curves gym, to get the gentle aerobic/wt workout ant companionship that this gym has to offer.
I have not worked in 5 weeks due to acute lung, heart and muscle problems, but I'm currently feeling much better in those areas except for numbness and spasms of weakness/ dizziness. They don't want me back at work until after I see the LLMD.
I know this is a hugely long message... thanks for listening
yes, tests showed (+)Ehrlichiosis, have read Dr Burrascano's guidelines many times
Concerning exercise, by all means ask your LLMD at your appt on Nov 8th.
It's my understanding that exercise is OK if you feel like it & it is not overdone.
Exception - you have to be very careful when taking Levaquin because of possible tendon damage.