posted
I have lived at sea level for most of my life and for sure the last 18 years.
I got very very sick with Lyme 5 yrs ago but traced it back to childhood.
Back 18 yrs ago we lived in mountains but I wasn't that sick except some neck nerve pain and headaches.
5 yrs ago got so sick couldn't walk, was misdiagnosed for 4 years and shot up full of cortisone until they almost killed me trying to control severe nerve pain.
Feb 3rd this year I escaped my living conditions and moved near family living in the valley of mountains in Boise ID, 2000 ft, have been getting sicker since then all of it neurological. 4 months now.
Double vision, blurry when sleepy, sleeping 15-16 hrs a day, cant close both eyes and sit or stand doing it. Typing in Morse code.
Falling easily too. Some I had before I moved so severity is the increase, the double vision and typing are new and the sleeping is the most drastic change of original symptoms.
On the drive here We had to drive up 2 very high mountains and when stopped at gas station on top I tripped on everything.
I had vertigo feeling, scary enough I called my home dr and he told me to keep going and when off that mountain would be better.
So last weekend went on a trip up higher into the mountains and vertigo became severe and double vision and sleep got even worse and still recovering today.
The thing is that If I have been having these new symptoms, which were exaggerated in the mountains for 4 months now can I be reacting to altitude as a permanent symptom?
Since it has been 4 months has anyone heard of this? Because I am wondering if I need to move back to sea level again. If this keeps up I could get worse or it could kill me right?
posted
I was very sensitive to altitude when I was sick. I was driving my grandmother back to the mountains in North Carolina and as I drove up the mountains in TN my pain increased tremendously. I was doing relatively well ... well enough to drive her there and return home the next day.
I hurt the whole time in the mountains, then the next day when I drove back, I felt better.
So, maybe you should visit a lower altitude and see what happens. Make your decision then.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for your reply - brave brave brave - sixgoofykids,
That was why I emphasized the 4 month increase part of the illness. But Lyme people with brain problems have swelling right?
Swelling is what causes altitude sickness also, just mild fluid change and/or vascular change. But the combo Lyme swelling plus altitude swelling, does anyone know of any case studies on that? Or heard of it at all?
I am broke and cant afford an MRI or anything better than a GP, so I have nowhere else to ask for any experienced opinions.
See I looked it up and that is actually normal for people to get sick like you describe for a day.
I read on place it can be as high as 40% of non-Lyme people get sick for 1 - 3 days from altitude change.
Posts: 50 | From Charleston, SC | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
I think any change in climate stirs up the bacteria and our body (neurotransmitters/adrenals)
Our body is amazing at adapting to change... but us Lymies (who are treating) have a much tougher time with any change in environment.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Whenever we were visiting in laws in the Western NC mountains I always had bad sinus like headaches, vertigo. I could never enjoy myself.
But the couple times we visited the ocean in NC never had those killer h/a's.
Definitly something to that.
I hope you feel better soon.
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
What I experienced was definitely a Lyme flare that lasted as long as I was in the mountains and went away when I got to a lower altitude. I was in so much pain that I couldn't continue to drive, so had to take a painkiller to take the edge off as my grandmother could not drive.
I have had altitude sickness (when my Lyme was not as bad, but still there) when I went there, this was different. I also had the 1-3 days of adjustment when I went to Mexico City and Colorado.
What I described in my first post was very different.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Mentioned above, brain / vascular swelling is common with lyme. So, yes, that could be involved.
And, yes, those with lyme do have a harder time with changes in atmosphere and environment (too hot or too cold can be the matter of just a couple degrees).
With the symptom of vertigo, it could also have to do with the inner ear. According to what one of my ear doctors told me, patients who have inner ear problems are advised to stay below 500 ft. to avoid extreme pressure on the vestibular system (inner/middle ear).
Lyme often affects the inner ear and the inner ear affects near every body function. When something is off even a tiny bit, the inner ear knows that and the reactions are not pleasant. In fact, if the inner ear does not know which way is up, it will force the body into a sudden fall.
Time - and vestibular rehabilitation exercises - may help. Also, when the lyme and co. are treated, this should improve.
You may also want to see a LL neurotologist as not everything is lyme but the doctor should be LL (especially since many tend to prescribe steroids which, as you now know, can spell disaster for lyme patients). Your LLMD may have the name of a neurotologist or some other ear specialist or vestibular rehab therapist. Tai Chi can be helpful as well as the exercises in the DVD "Yoga for the Eyes"
In the meantime Ginger capsules may help. More here:
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
You guys are the best!! Thanks for all of your replies,
So I should not worry yet about having to move you don't think?
How long can this last safely, I know this is all opinion and not medical advice but I still have to ask.
Has anyone stayed put for 6 or 8 months and went past the symptoms without treatment? As I said before I can't get treatment.
It is kind of funny because one of my new symptoms has to do with keeping up reading without the sentences separated like we do here.
I never had a problem with that until now. So now I am in the same boat as all of you having trouble reading big clumps of words.
I am considering moving abroad to afford medical care and to live, does anyone know of a good place for Lymies? I will post this on the ask about doctor board further.
Still say you are brave brave brave sixgoofykids!!!!!!!!!!! Posts: 50 | From Charleston, SC | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic