posted
Can someone tell me if people with Lyme have issues with the spleen?
Posts: 5 | From California | Registered: Oct 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Hi and welcome,
Are you having pain in that area? Have you been diagnosed with LD?
I have horrible pain that worsens with herxing under the lower left ribcage, I was sure my spleen was going to rupture.
I had an abdominal ultra sound last week (which can see part of the spleen) and it was ok. Now I am not sure where the pain is coming from. It could also be one of the endless symptoms of this disease. LD can effect every organ in the body.
Have you actually been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen or some other issue? Or do you suspect spleen problems?
The spleen actually traps organisms and can enlarge with disease.
Google "spleen function" and/or "spleen and Lyme disease" there is some interesting reading.
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
YES- and in California that is often BABESIOSIS, another tickborne organism wihch affects the spleen greatly!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WELCOME to LymeNEt*)!*)! !*!)!*)!)!*)!*)!*)!*)!! Bob L the entomologist documented 41% nymphal rate of Lyme infection in Mendocino and in Santa Cruz where I am we haev adult rates of 17.8%- so don't believe it if anyone tells you there is no Lyme in CA*)!!!
Glad you are here, Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- 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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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Yes, Babesia infection can really affect the spleen.
I hope you have a good doctor. LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor) who will assess you for all TBI (tick-borne infections).
If co-infections are present, there is a certain protocol, different meds. It's more complex than just lyme.
It may not be this, but this should be ruled out by an expert.
For someone who has no spleen, babesiosis can be fatal if not treated promptly and effectively. So, if someone has undiagnosed babesia and they have their spleen removed, they could be in a rough spot. Babesia also has been identified in blood transfusions.
Sorry - this is not to scare you - but to cover all the bases, and to help prevent. I think knowledge is power. Hopefully, your speen question is for something minor.
posted
Thanks for answering. Yes, I was diagnosed with L.D. in 1996. I've been on and off A/B's (more off because of severe stomach problems) since then,but this severe constant pain in my left side, under my rib cage, is not going away. I have had several Cat Scans to see what could be causing all the pain but it never shows anything and the Docs just think it's all in my head. I do have an LLMD but she is about 3 hrs. away and I havn't been able to see her for a long time. My general practitioner is aware of the Lyme diagnosis and doesn't dispute it but isn't sure how or if to treat until my stomach/gastro problems are under control.
Thanks-Julie
Posts: 5 | From California | Registered: Oct 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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(Edited to add - I did not see the preceeding note before I wrote this - so you are a pro at this. I'll still leave this post in case there is anything helpful.) -------------------
Welcome - I hope others come along to officially welcome you and offer you introductory stuff. That's all beyond me.
==============================
From the May 2007 issue of Clinical Advisor
The Clinical Advisor is a monthly journal for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in primary care.
CONTROVERSY CONTINUES TO FUEL THE "LYME WAR" By Virginia Savely, RN, FNP-C
article at link
I WOULD READ THIS FIRST. In additon to outlining the political atmosphere in the medical arena, this article is the most concise and informative piece of work I've seen. By reading this first, everything else will make more sense.
It discusses diagnosis of lyme and co-infections and treatment.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases.
Guidelines for the management of Lyme disease November 1st, 2006 (Please be aware that this is a large size file, so it can take several minutes to download)
AND
Joseph J. Burrascano Jr, MD:
Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses - September, 2005
============================
If you come to this site often, folks will suggest searching on PubMed. Here it is:
Search for babesiosis might yield additional abtracts, just as a search for borrelia might yield different results than a search for lyme. -
[ 15. November 2007, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Julie,
Could the pain on your left be from some scar tissue from a fall or accident? (I know you later refer to GI stuff, too.)
If so, a physical therapist or a massage therapist who is specially trained in MYOFASCIAL RELEASE might be able to "unstick" some stuff that it getting hung up.
Is there a LLND (naturopathic physician) near you who could communicate with your LLMD who is so far away?
Sometimes a LD is also licensed in acupuncture - acupuncture has helped reduce some pains for me. Certain herbal formulas might also help relieve the pain of GI stuff while you figure out how to proceed.
Your LLMD or local suport group folks might know about the variety of professionals who are knowledgable in your area.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bejoy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11129
posted
I had terrible spleen pain for a while. My naturopath treated with a product from Standard Process, called Spleen. It cleared up in a couple of weeks.
Energetically, the spleen relates to feelings of hopelessness and despair, and dealing with the pain of the whole world. Sounds like a lyme experience, really.
It's much like how we feel relationship pain as heart-ache, or butterflies in the stomach with nervousness.
Positive affirmations about healing and your body's ability to heal can help support the process.
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
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TuTu,
Wow! In addition to the symptom list at that link, I did not know this - also from your post:
" . . . Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return.
A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection. An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially.
There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs."
lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) is a symptom of Bartonella according to Dr. Burrascano. Anyone worried enough, get an abdominal ultra sound it can show if your spleen is of abnormal size.
Do not rely on your doctor "feeling" the spleen, it cannot be "felt" unless it is extremely enlarged.
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