I had a follow up LLMD appt. today. It went well. If anyone remembers I haven't been really happy with my care lately. More advice was offered today and I was also given some reassurance.
I was switched from Ceftin today...which was making me herx like mad but I had to many tummy issues...to Zithro and Flagyl. I have been on this combo before but now the Zithro has increased to 500 mg. My insurance said today they will only pay for 4 tablets. I have to fight with them tommorow. Arggggggggghh
Tommorow is my first appt. for accupuncture. I mentioned it to LLMD today and surpisingly he was all for it. He said if he were in my shoes he would give it a try too.
So, I am feeling more hopeful today. My bouts of anxiety over the last few days have really lessened. LLMD gave me some Ativan to take if I find myself in the middle of a panic attack.
He said a good word of advice is to take the Ativan when attack starts and have someone start to drive you to hospital. If it isn't gone away by the time you get there then you need to be evaluated to make sure nothing else is going on besides a panic attack. I guess that makes sense to me.
Anyway, just thought I would let everyone know how it went.
Thanks for everyones support over the last few days. It has really meant alot to me.
Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Hey kit! So glad to hear that all went well today. I have been wondering how you were doing.
God Bless.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Kit,
Good luck with the acupuncture. My pain specialist says he tells people to give it at least 6 sessions before they see an improvement. Some people have improvements faster.
The only exception is if it makes your symptoms worse. I'm one of the few who couldn't tolerate acupuncture.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
kit, thanks for update; good luck tomorrow!
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I am really hoping this accupuncture gives me a bit of relief...and that I can tolerate it.
The accupuncturist did tell me to give it at least 6 times to see if it works.
I have only met her once but she seems very qualified and caring.
Have a good day everyone...kit Posts: 655 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Acupuncture is a great alternative therapy that really seems to help a lot of people!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Well, I had first appt. today. I think it went well. I was there for an hour and 45 minutes.
I feel very relaxed right now. She said I might be sleepy for the rest of the day. I was amazed at how right on target she was with some of my symptoms. She knew them by feeling my pulses before I even told them to her.
She gave me some good advice..I think. She told me not to drink any iced beverages. Only room temp. or warm. Keep my feet warm..sweat alot.
She also went over my probotics and told me I was not taking enough. Told me where to go locally to getter something better. She also told me of a tea to drink but I can't remember the name of it right now..I have to call her back.
I hope this helps. Her prices aren't bad and she told me she wants me to come every week if I can tolerate it. If I can't afford it she said to just tell her...she won't refuse a patient.
I came home with little magnests in my ears. She said it could help with my anxiety. Hopefully it will.
I will let you know if I see any progress.
Take care....kit
Posts: 655 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2006
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Hi kitcat,
Was the acupuncture painful?
I have a teen daughter whose primary symptom is pain...neuropathic pain. I'd like her to try acupuncture, since nothing else has helped. She's hesitant because she's afraid it will be painful.
Her pain physician recommended a local acupuncturist...said some of his patients benefit from the treatment...some get pain relief for 2 to 3 weeks.
I'd be thrilled if my daughter got one day of pain relief...or one hour.
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Good news, kitkat!! I used to get acupuncture. It would help me with relaxation.....and sometimes for my pain.
I was trying to get relief from severe sciatic nerve pain at the time. It would help for awhile, then would come back. Like hshbmom says...even one hour of relief would be worth it!!!
hshbmom...The only time it hurt for me was when they would work along the nerve which was causing me so much grief!
If your daughter's pain is not nerve pain, the needles won't hurt much at all. They just sting a tiny bit....for a second when being put in.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Was it Pau D'arco tea? It's an anti-yeast tea made from the bark of a trea.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Accupuncture is not at all painful- it's not like getting stabbed or getting blood drawn. It even feels kind of good. There is no pain and it a good therapy to alleviate pain.
Posts: 163 | From Cleveland, OH | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by DesperationIn: it's not like getting stabbed or getting blood drawn.
exactly
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
kit- please keep us updated about how well your accupuncture sessions work for you. Here's hoping they help a great deal! It sounds like you found a competent and compassionate practioner- that's a great start.
I'll be interested to see how well accupuncture works on alleviating Lyme pain. I can vouch for it in other circustances for sure. i've had it done twice- once in China for a dental procedure, instead of novacaine. I felt NO pain, even with drilling going on and roots exposed.
I also had it done the day before i gave birth- it helped enormously with the next day's pain, and so thoroughly relaxed my body that i went from feeling no contractions into active labor in a matter of minutes.
good luck! dilly
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
if one were to try acupuncture, is there a specific kind for lyme patients, or is acupuncture the same for everyone?
Just wondering...I hope it works for you! Let us know!
Jenn
-------------------- When given lyme make lymeade! A tick check a day keeps lyme away! [email protected] Raising awareness by creating as many lymebassadors as possible! Posts: 158 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Oct 2005
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Like others have said..there is no pain. It actually felt good. I was very relaxed and I even dozed off when I was left for about 20 minutes for it to do its work.
I am not sure if there is a specific Lyme treatment with this. We discussed a plan of action today. She told me right now we are working to help my immune system build up. She said I am pretty toxic from the abx and the spirochetes.
I had the needles from head to toe. There must have been at least 50 of them in me. She put several in the top of my scalp that was connected to a wire that pulsed steadily. That was for my lyme fog and memory issues.
I told her about the terrible stomach pain I have had for several days. I can't remember where she put the needles for that but she said she was going to target that right away.
I came home today and was very relaxed and tired. I wasn't tired in our normal fatigue. I just was sleepy and relaxed. I slept for 2 solid hours and woke up refreshed.
I have to say that I have had no stomach pain for the last several hours. It has been constant for days now. I don't care if it's the placebo effect or if it really did something..all I know is my stomach feels really good.
I will keep updating. I go back this Friday morning. One of the best parts of this is her office is only 5 minutes from my house. It is across the street from my daughters pre-school. I drop her off and just walk across the street.
I am not sure what the needles are made...I will have to ask that on Friday.
Take care...kit Posts: 655 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2006
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
quote: Like others have said..there is no pain
Not always true. I never had pain with my first practioner, years ago, however with my current doctor, I have pain everytime. She finally started using children's needles but it still hurts. I've had to ask her to remove the needles sometimes because it is painful.
I've been allergic to the needles both times.
I never had this experience the first time with accupunture (years ago) but sometimes my pain will actually be worse for days. This doctor is supposed to be very good. Don't know why it's causing me so many problems this time. On my last appointment she asked me if I have headaches and I said yes but that I didn't have one now. Well, I've had awful headaches since she worked on me and that was several weeks ago.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Boomerang
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posted
Hey kit!!
So glad to hear you are feeling so good after your treatment. Please keep us updated on how it goes.
Best wishes!
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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I guess I shouldn't assume that since I don't have pain nobody will...sorry.
She will use childrens needles too if you have never had it done before. Since I have had it in the past she used the larger ones and I was still lucky enough not to have any pain.
Hi Boomerang,
Glad to see you. Hope all is well with you and hubby. I have been thinking of you both.
Best wishes,kit
Posts: 655 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2006
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Andie333
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Member # 7370
posted
kit,
Good news about the acupuncture. I've been getting acupuncture treatments weekly for the past two years and really feel they've made a difference in my recovery and in my pain.
My acupuncturist tends to address whatever issues are bothering me each week, while constantly trying to boost my immune system.
She's also a doctor of Chinese medicine, and she gives me Chinese herbs too.
It was my acupuncturist who first suggested I might want to consider that I have Lyme Disease. I'll always be grateful for that!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Terry,
Do you have muscle pain? I tried acupuncture recently and it really increased my pain. But my pain is muscle pain and caused by tight muscles. In the last session, I felt the muscles start to spasm around the needles.
This is a pretty rare reaction to acupuncture. I was thinking it has to do with the way Lyme causes my muscles to inflame and tighten.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Hey Kit - I just started accup. a few weeks ago, have had 4 sessions & have found relief. I was amazed that it really didn't hurt. I must admit that some that were put in my toes were a slight ouch, but I was kinda warned about those, by saying - "deep breath"...so I figure it's known they are more sensitive places.
My crunchy ankles are so much better! I too, need a nap after.
Thus far I'm impressed. Actually look forward to it.
Also, had "cupping" done. Noticed something very odd w/ that: Have a bad shoulder - from yrs ago - pre lyme; never mentioned this shoulder thing to accupuncturist. I had maybe a dozen of these cups on my back - no marks at all on 10 of them - but the 2 that were on that shoulder, were bright red/purple/black. The one that was the darkest, was also very swelled. Stayed that way from the 6th till today. That shoulder throbbed like the dickens for the next 2 days, but I must say feels pretty good since. Not sure exactly what it did - but I found it interesting that it was that shoulder where the marks were left!
The cupping was describd to me as alligning the chi.
klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
I just had cupping done on my injured shoulder two days ago. (old rotator cuff injury) Cupping draws blood to the injured area so the nutrients in the blood can help heal it. The shoulder normally gets very little blood circulation, which is one reason why cupping is often done in that area.
Like you, cupping makes me hurt worse the first day after, then feel improved the following day. However, I have gotten far more relief from the massage that comes after the needles than from the needles themselves. My TCM doc has an LMT who does ten minutes on each patient after the needles are removed.
I am glad TCM is helping you. I wish I could afford to have it a lot more often.
Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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