I'm new to this site so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place. I'm looking for some advice regarding medical issues that I've recently realized may be related to Lyme. I'll try to keep it short, and I'm happy to discuss more at length in private messages or email.
About a year and a half ago, I started experiencing severe blood pressure spikes and a hive-like rash on my face and neck. I hesitate to call the rash hives because it appears more like a combination of flushing and rosacea.
I've seen two dermatologists to no avail, walking away with a rosacea diagnosis and a treatment plan of "sorry about your luck."
I've seen two primary care practitioners for blood pressure and am currently taking two prescriptions meds for BP with no idea what's causing it.
I also experience almost daily migraines which no doctor has been willing to treat or acknowledge, terrible night sweats and awful insomnia.
I'm seeing a psychiatrist and therapist now for anxiety and depression, and I'm on a cocktail of meds for that too.
It's been a pretty miserable year of not being able to work or live my life how I used to.
I don't recall a bite that would be the start of a Lyme infection, but I live in between woods and farm fields, spend lots of time working outdoors, and have also struggled with flea problems with my cats and dogs. A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Lyme and Bartonella.
I had blood work done in the fall of last year with a few abnormalities that concerned me, but didn't raise any red flags with doctors. I don't know anything about what these mean but here are a few of the abnormal markers:
I guess my question is: is it logical to assume I may have Lyme? Will I sound crazy if I ask my doctor to test for it, or am I best off going to yet another doctor?
I have felt like crap for such a long time and I feel like a hypochondriac, but it really seems like this makes sense. I would so appreciate any feedback or thoughts about my situation.
Thanks so much in advance and have a great day!
-Zach
(breaking up the post for easier reading for many here)
[ 03-25-2017, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posts: 1 | From Springfield Ohio | Registered: Mar 2017
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I recommend you also write this post in "Medical Questions", because there are many knowledgeable people here on Lymenet who will gladly give you advice.
I am not a doctor, but your symptoms sound like Lyme to me. Fyi - my son contracted Lyme disease from mosquito bites (any biting insect can transmit it).
Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria which cause the disease, pass the blood/brain barrier so neuropsychological problems can also result. "It's all in your head" is a common so-called "diagnosis" when the non-Lyme doctors don't know what is going on.
You need to be evaluated and treated by a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD). Non LLMDs have no clue about this horrible disease or its complex treatment!
A LLMD is one who has treated Lyme disease and the co-infections which come with it for many years and has gotten patients well. A good one will follow Dr. B's Guidelines, the "gold standard" for Lyme treatment.
Unfortunately, LLMDs are far and few between, so you need to go where they are. At least half of all Lyme patients travel out-of-state for treatment.
Also most LLMDs do not accept insurance due to the politics surrounding this horrible disease. Read poster TF's explanation, "Why Lyme Doctors Don't Take Insurance":
Read the books written by the top LLMD, Dr. H, titled, "Why Can't I Get Better?" and "How Can I Get Better?". They are an excellent source of information.
Read "Cure Unknown" by Pamela Weintraub. Get it at your local library or buy it used on Amazon.
Btw - I know you are new to Lymenet, but please break up your posts into 2-3 sentence paragraphs, as there are people on Lymenet who cannot read large blocks of text due to neurological problems from Lyme.
To do this click the pencil/paper icon, make your changes, then click "Edit Post". Thanks.
Posts: 8981 | From Illinois | Registered: May 2006
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