posted
i was wondering if a full recovery is still possible even if you were infected up to 15 years ago, and still havent had proper treatment, or is it too late and damage done already? too late to kill the bugs? thanks radha
Posts: 392 | From New York | Registered: Dec 2005
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
It's awfully tough to answer your question simply when there are so many variables to be considered.
People do get well after long term infection. But, it varies from person to person, as each of us is a unique clinical picture. As you said there may be some damage done that cannot be repaired, but there is no way to know until you try!
I also wonder about the changes of natural aging that have come to pass as I have been battling these bugs over the years.
There just isn't a simple answer to your question...sorry!
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
Welcome!
Many people here have made good progress even when they had lyme for years and had no treatment. THey will probably show up later.
I had it for several years before good treatment and am amazed at how well my body has repaired what I thought might be perminant damage, especially in my joints.
Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
I got this when I was a kid, first my thyroid went out, then active ebstein barr--I had problems for years and didn't know why--but at the end I was ready to go into a coma because I was getting no REM sleep due to pain.
I have the "mental capacity (doctor quote)" to push the pain away--I didn't even know I was having pain until I had a sleep test.
So, maybe I'm still sick--but I'm not dead or in a coma. My quality of life is much better.
Linda
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Yea! Thanks Mel. I was just wishing the chats on Lymenet would provide more positive results. I guess most of us chatting are actually looking for answers. Those who are well have moved on.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
This is indeed a hard question to answer.
I know of no one who has had this disease in late stages that has been cured without abx treatment.
The disease can and often goes into a dormant stage in some of us but usually returns with or without physical or mental trauma to the individual.
Mainstream MD's remark that the infection is surely gone with minimal treatments and anything thereafter is residual dammage that cannot be corrected or resolved....
This is of course nonsense.....
Persistant resistant infection should be addressed as such and not be allowed to be down played as anything other than what it is.
I don't believe it will just "go away"...sure wish it would.....zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I am so glad to see you posted this question as it is the same one my own phsyician had yesterday. I had a tick attached to me in 1995 or 1996, in May of 1996 woke with a big red ring on my belly which evolved into an allergic like reaction a few hours later: swollen lips, giant hives all over body, upper airway edema many hours later. No one ever could dx the reason for the hives, they lasted for a year. Chronic fatigue and lack of stamina has plagued me since that time, along with joint and muscle aches, sudden stabbing pains for no reason in knee,ankle, wrist joints, back and neck stiffness and pain, onset of psych problems (depression, hypomania), sleep disturbances,memory/concentration/focus problems, word finding is much more difficult the last year....all of it combined made it impossible to continue working as a staff nurse on a Peds floor which I had done for 22 years (before that, worked dialysis and neuro floor). I also have HCV as a result of blood transfusion in 1985. I need to know if treatment is even an option at this point...and if so, just what treatment is recommended. It's my thought that my body has enough to battle with the HCV alone, it shouldn't have to be working overtime against Lyme, if I have it. How was the dx of Lyme made in your case? Lyme titer was drawn yesterday, but I have read that does not always yield a definitive answer. Anyone with any info for me in this regard, please feel free to e-mail. Thanks....
Posts: 4 | From California | Registered: Dec 2005
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
I went untreated for at least twelve years, probably more like fifteen. My recovery has been good and my life is basically normal with occasional foggy and/or sore days. However, I anticipate staying on antibiotics for the idefinite future.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
7 years undx. 8 years sick so far. 1 year of antibioitcs has made a world of difference.
I "myself" think 1 more year of abx. Just a feeling. Nothing anyone told me.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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lymeloco
Unregistered
posted
Here's what happens to Syphilis untreated.
Tertiary Syphilis: Ten percent to 40% of untreated patients will develop tertiary syphilis.15 This phase most often produces a variety of neurologic, cardiovascular, and other systemic manifestations many years after the initial infection. This constellation of symptoms is described by the mnemonic "PARESIS": personality disturbances, affect abnormalities, reflex hyperactivity, eye abnormalities, sensorium changes, intellectual impairment and slurred speech.12 However, tertiary syphilis is uncommon in this era of effective antimicrobial therapy.
Neurosyphilis: Central nervous system disease can occur during any stage of syphilis. A patient with clinical evidence of neurologic involvement with syphilis should have a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination. Neurologic involvement would include ophthalmic or auditory symptoms, cranial nerve palsies, and symptoms or signs of meningitis.10 Again, because of the availability of effective antibiotic therapy, the development of true neurosyphilis is rare.
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Radha, Nine years ago, I had a bullseye rash and was treated with 10 days of abx.
I've had Lyme symptoms in a scattered way ever since, but I didn't realize what was going on. Finally last winter, the whole thing got worse with a vengeance -- until I was barely able to walk or drive and I had multisystemic involvement.
I got a LLMD and was dx CCD positive in June. I've been on abx ever since. I'm still not great, but I'm a heck of a lot better than I was then...and I expect this to contine. For me, though, it did get a lot worse before it got better.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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-------------------- Lou B Posts: 2200 | From Mount Hope, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
I got sick 20 years ago--Lyme -Babs I was Very sick-2 years ago I started good treatment and I have made Huge progress-- It is important to eat good and rest- Cut out as much stress as possiable--
I am getting close to being my happy myself again--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
Rad:
I was late stage untreated Lyme (mis dx for 25+ years with complex autoimmune disorders).
I was off and on abx for about 2 years after testing PCR positive for Lyme and positive for Babesia by western blot in 2002. I have been virtually symptom free for about a year and a half- with all my major symptoms gone, and I'm living an absolutely normal lifeand not on antibiotics. But treatment wasn't a piece of cake, and I'm pretty convinced that it might be impossible to erradicate ALL the (lyme)bacteria from the body.
So I think it is possible to improve GREATLY even if it's gone un treated for many years unless you've been on oral steroids.. the people who have taken those seem to not respond to antibiotics as well of those of us who never took them.
lightfoot
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2536
posted
Hello Radha!
I had undiagnosed Lyme for many many years. I tried all kinds of treatment for all the assorted mis-diagnosed problems.
I learned I had Lyme when a bulls eye rash appeared. This was a perfect rendition of the famous bulls eye. Thanks to my husband who recognized it for it was, it is what led to my dx and Lyme treatment.
I can attest to the fact that a bulls eye can appear at any time during the disease and treatment. I've also had another perfct specimen two years into my treatment with ABX.
So..... am I fully recovered?? I can only say that my progress is allowing me to return to many activities which I had totally abandoned. I have a lot more good days than bad. I did not believe it possible. It has taken mucho time.....six years and counting.
So.... even after many years off the beaten track, things are looking up. Will I ever be off of ABX for good? I don't know the answer to that....I take it day by day.
Hang in there!!! It's possible to make great strides with time.
Healing smiles and laughter.....lightfoot
-------------------- Healing Smiles.....lightfoot Posts: 7228 | From CO | Registered: May 2002
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
I don't know about a full recovery,it depends on the person.
Twenty years now & three years of abx & I am definetly better.
I don't think a complete cure of lyme is probabble but a huge remmission is VERY possible!
But takes time and patience and never ever give up or give in!!!!!!!
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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