posted
I'm new here and don't necessarily have Lyme Disease, but do have some questions about it and made an appt with my doc. I am a rock climber and spend every weekend in the woods. Three people I have known have been diagnosed with Lyme recently, so this has been on my mind a lot lately.
Three weeks ago I had what I thought was the flu - 100 degree temperature - aching knees, elbows, back - sleeping all the time - no appetite - chills. It lasted 3 days and I got better. Who gets the flu in August? This seemed unusual to me.
Now I am having spotting before my period. I have been on the pill for 10 years and this has NEVER happened to me before. I have been looking on the internet for info on women's reproductive issues and Lyme, but have not found much info.
Also, I have only been bitten by larger ticks as far as I know. I've had no rash, but sometimes feel nauseated, drained and lack focus in general.
So, I am just wondering if Lyme does impact your cycle. Is it worth asking my doc for a test? I know that the 'flu' and my spotting may be two completely unrelated issues, but just want to hear from other women.
Thanks!
Posts: 2 | From North East | Registered: Sep 2008
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Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
I used to have a lot of irregular periods and spotting for the first year after I got sick. Please get tested, especially if people in your area have been positive. The sooner you start treatment the better.
posted
I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for my western blot results. I hope to have them Monday from IgeneX. It seems to take forever. You will see if you do a search that a lot of women have symptoms that are worse surrounding shifts in hormones. I am not diagnosed yet, but my very, very first symptoms appeared during my period and at ovulation. I too was on the birth conrol pill and was not supposed to be ovluating so I wasn't sure what was happening. I spent a lot of time going to gyno/endocrinoligsts only to have them tell me there is nothing wrong with my hormones, etc.
I have been told there is relationship. Just do a search on menstruation, women, etc. and you will find past posts on this including my recent questions.
-------------------- Severe neurological problems. Probably sick for years. Became chronically sick in Aug 2007. Undiagnosed for another 15 months. Started treatment for lyme and bart Sept. 2008. Improving, but very slowly. Posts: 515 | From washington dc | Registered: Aug 2008
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Welcome! And, yes, Lyme can be associated with menstrual irregularity. Lyme can affect nearly any body system. For example, it can affect the endocrine system and cause deficiencies in any hormone, including sex hormones. Gyn difficulties were a prominent symptom for me before I started treating Lyme.
Also, it doesn't matter what the size of the tick was that bit you. Ticks can be infected at any of the three stages in their development, including the nymph and adult stages.
Since you said you've had tick bites and given your symptoms, I think you're smart to get evaluated for the possibility of Lyme Disease. One of the tests that you should request is the Lyme Disease Western Blot by a lab called Igenex.
Most mainstream doctors are not knowledgeable with the Lyme Disease process. I highly recommend that you see a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor ("LLMD") to be evaluated. To find an LLMD near you, post in the "Seeking Doctor" section of the Forum.
You can also try looking at the Lyme Disease Association Doctor Referral Site:
Below is a Lyme Disease Symptom List in case you haven't seen one yet. Also, have a look around here, if you have the time. There are resources available for new people which can explain why specific testing with specific labs is essential. The Newbie Package and New Learning Links listed at the top of the Medical Section here might be helpful.
Hope this helps!
Fuzzy
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
* The Tick Bite (fewer than 50% recall a tick bite or get/see the rash)
1. Rash at site of bite 2. Rashes on other parts of your body 3. Rash basically circular and spreading out (or generalized) 4. Raised rash, disappearing and recurring
* Head, Face, Neck
5. Unexplained hair loss 6. Headache, mild or severe, Seizures 7. Pressure in Head, White Matter Lesions in Head (MRI) 8. Twitching of facial or other muscles 9. Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 10. Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing 11. Stiff or painful neck 12. Jaw pain or stiffness 13. Dental problems (unexplained) 14. Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm ( flem ), hoarseness, runny nose
* Eyes/Vision
15. Double or blurry vision 16. Increased floating spots 17. Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes 18. Oversensitivity to light 19. Flashing lights/Peripheral waves/phantom images in corner of eyes
* Ears/Hearing
20. Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears 21. Buzzing in ears 22. Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds 23. Ringing in one or both ears
* Digestive and Excretory Systems
24. Diarrhea 25. Constipation 26. Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or Interstitial cystitis 27. Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
* Musculoskeletal System
28. Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome 29. Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow 30. Muscle pain or cramps, (Fibromyalgia)
* Respiratory and Circulatory Systems
31. Shortness of breath, can't get full/satisfying breath, cough 32. Chest pain or rib soreness 33. Night sweats or unexplained chills 34. Heart palpitations or extra beats 35. Endocarditis, Heart blockage
* Neurologic System
36. Tremors or unexplained shaking 37. Burning or stabbing sensations in the body 38. Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis 39. Pressure in the head 40. Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks 41. Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking 42. Increased motion sickness 43. Lightheadedness, wooziness
* Psychological well-being
44. Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder 45. Unusual depression 46. Disorientation (getting or feeling lost) 47. Feeling as if you are losing your mind 48. Over-emotional reactions, crying easily 49. Too much sleep, or insomnia 50. Difficulty falling or staying asleep 51. Narcolepsy, sleep apnea 52. Panic attacks, anxiety
* Mental Capability
53. Memory loss (short or long term) 54. Confusion, difficulty in thinking 55. Difficulty with concentration or reading 56. Going to the wrong place 57. Speech difficulty (slurred or slow) 58. Stammering speech 59. Forgetting how to perform simple tasks
* Reproduction and Sexuality
60. Loss of sex drive 61. Sexual dysfunction 62. Unexplained menstral pain, irregularity 63. Unexplained breast pain, discharge 64. Testicular or pelvic pain
* General Well-being
65. Unexplained weight gain, loss 66. Extreme fatigue 67. Swollen glands/lymph nodes 68. Unexplained fevers (high or low grade) 69. Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.) 70. Symptoms seem to change, come and go 71. Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts 72. Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well. 73. Low body temperature 74. Allergies/Chemical sensitivities 75. Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover
Posts: 503 | From Maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Thanks for all this info! I am seeing my doc next month, but will make it sooner if things seem strange or ramp up.
As for the size of the tick - I thought only the itty bitty deer ticks carried Lyme. The one that I had was really stuck on my stomach and quite large.
Posts: 2 | From North East | Registered: Sep 2008
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quote:Originally posted by CCK: As for the size of the tick - I thought only the itty bitty deer ticks carried Lyme. The one that I had was really stuck on my stomach and quite large.
Any size tick can be infected and transmit Lyme to humans. Also, it's not just deer ticks that can pass along Lyme. Dog ticks, wood ticks, lonestar ticks and other biting insects can transmit Lyme and Lyme Co-Infections to humans. Many people are bitten and infected and don't even know it.
If you decide to see a physician that is not a Lyme specialist (i.e., a non-LLMD), then chances are he/she will run a blood test called an Elisa test.
Please be aware that the Elisa blood test yields false negative results in ranges of 50-75% of the population. Most non-LLMD's aren't even aware of this fact.
And if you do happen to be one of the "lucky" ones to get a positive Elisa test, chances are a non-LLMD will only prescribe something like 2-3 weeks of Doxycycline. Current treatment recommendations according to Lyme Literate Doctors is to continue antibiotic treatment until the patient is symptom-free for two months.
That's what happened to me. My non-LLMD internal medicine doctor ran an Elisa test on me. Like alot of people, I tested negative yet still had Lyme symptoms. He told me I did not have Lyme and sent me on my way with declining health and incapacitation.
After 11 years of declining health, I finally got diagnosed by seeing a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor.
Fuzzy
p.s. This is a really good handbook on the basics of Lyme Disease. It's from the Lyme Disease Association of Southern PA. Here's a link to the PDF file in case you want to read it.
posted
Welcome; i'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!
Fyi: we have over 1000 viewers daily; 200 - 400 posting/replying; so specific titles get our time/replies. non-specific ones, i sob, scroll on by!
Also, please be very specific in the subject line what you will be discussing so more people will be able to assist you.
Dr. Burrascano's most recent "Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses" @ http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_0905.html suggests that you discuss with your doctor continuing treatment until you are symptom free for 2 months.
please see BettyG's newbie package info on the link below; click on link at bottom of my package. Check it out as time permits for you! @ http://tinyurl.com/58eyou
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Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
If you can get a blood test from IGENEX asap, I would do that, since you seem to be in the early stages, this is the best time for antibiotics to actually 'cure' you, the longer you wait, the more the Lyme will get into your body.
If at all possible, I would get in asap, I wish I had.
posted
Your experience is similar to mine. Definitely get tested (Igenex) not Lyme test at hospital/clinic- remember who developed that test (IDSA- who kept me sick for 12 years and made my case neurological).
-------------------- RV Posts: 249 | From Healing in USA | Registered: Mar 2005
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