Dr. C. diagnosed me with Lyme on 1/31/08 and put me on Doxy twice a day plus Nystatin 4x a day. He said that his hope was that I would get better and have to cancel my 4 mo follow-up with him due to being much better.
He didn't even recommend the Lyme testing stating that I was pretty classic - tick bite )0/07), rash, flu like symptoms, other rashes.
Well....while on the Doxy I contracted a Strep B infection in my urinary tract and had to go off of Doxy in order to take Ampicillin to clear up this infection.
I'm feeling so horrible. The urinary stuff isn't going away and I now have a yeast infection.
My esphagus is burning so bad I can't stand to eat/drink/swallow pills. I've tried taking Prilosec but nothing seems to help. I've read that abx can sometimes cause problems in the esaphagus.
The other thing is that my joints hurt soooooooooooooo bad (wrists/ankles, back of knees). Abx treatments don't seem to help any of this pain. Tylenol doesn't help at all - Ibuprofin hurts my belly. Steroids obviously make things worse.
I'm just so tired of being sick and not having the stamina to keep up with my family/mommy/work duties.
I'm also scared that I'm not going to pull through this. Right now, I feel as if this is never going to end.
My esophagus is burning so bad I can't stand to take any of the abx.
Sorry to ramble but family gets tired of hearing about wife/mommy being sick plus I don't like to worry my kiddos.
Thanks for listening.
M
Posts: 124 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey there M,
Sorry to hear you are feeling so badly. Lyme sucks.
You've shared some good information, however, it is difficult to assist because what you are describing is not complete enough to try to provide some suggestions.
Let me ask if I may...
Have you told any of this to your LLMD? You mentioned an appt 4 months away but didn't say if you had spoken to him since your first appt.
If you developed a urinary tract Strep B infection... can we assume it was diagnosed by someone who actually ran tests?
If you were prescribed a med for it and it isn't working.. did you contact your doctor and tell them? What did they say?
Are you taking your meds after eating a full meal?
Are you laying down after taking the meds instead of staying upright for an hour.. which can cause some of the problems you mentioned?
Are you familiar with a herxheimer reaction? You mentioned being on meds about two months.. which the month mark is about the time many do cycle with a herx. A herx could explain your worsening symptoms.
Are you taking steroids? You mentioned them so I am asking. If so.. does your LLMD know about it?
Have you tried a little Mylanta or Pepto bismol for the upper digestive problems? You aren't suppose to take it with antibiotics but if spaced in between you should be ok for a couple doses. Be sure to drink a full glass of water when taking it. Do NOT take it unless your doctor approves.
You say you were told to take yeast meds 4 times a day ... but now you have a yeast infection. Are you still on the yeast meds? Did you tell your doctor?
Wish I could give some definite answers here tonight but there are a lot of gaps here that I don't want to "guess" about.
Main point though.. have you contacted your LLMD? If not, please do.
Sorry I didn't include enough info. Its just there is so much going on and I fell so badly in so many differnet areas.
First of all, no, I have not contacted my LLMD. He is in Springfield, MO and I have an phone appt with him at the end of this month, I guess I just kept thinking it would get better. Wasn't sure what they would be able to do over the phone and he is 7 hours away. I don't have any vacation days left at work either.
I am actually taking my meds during my meal because they get stuck in my throat if I don't. I chew up some food toward the end of my meal and put the pill in my mouth and swallow with the food.
I did lay fall asleep once after taking the Doxy a few weeks ago but am usually pretty good about staying upright.
NO STEROIDS HERE! I stay away from them after my first couple of rounds with them - YIKES!
I've read about the herxing and thought that might be what was happening but the pain in my joints started about 1 1/2 months ago and continues to get worse and in more places every day????
The Strep B infection was diagnosed by my gyno in a checkup due to some urgency problems I am having with urination. I did contact her and she said sometimes it takes the meds a while to work. I was afraid I had sepsis or something the way I'm feeling.
To be perfectly honest, if I may, without being judged - I haven't begun to take my Nystatin yet. I am very leary when it comes to new meds - afraid of reactions and such. Kooky, I know. And my belly gets upset so easily.
I just keep praying that all this bacteria will be erradicated from my body and I'll be back to me. I can happen, right?
Thanks all for listening.
M
Posts: 124 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Try the nystatin....overgrowth of yeast can cause some symptoms that
Closely resemble Lyme too (not to be confused with Lymetoo ).
I take those with no food and no problems....
Take it away from everything else just so you can figure out if it causes
A reaction. Not uncommon to herx from yeast meds either.
Hang in there. You are not alone....
I have been treating for 18 months now and I still get scared
Every once in a while. Call and see if you also move your phone appt up.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Michelle, I also saw Dr. C. I was infected 17 years ago, but wasn't diagnosised until 2 years ago! I have much damage from the delay in diagnosing. Please know that I totally understand exactly how you feel right now! It is a struggle, and it is with out a doubt scary. The joint pain is a herx, in my experience, reaction. It is so hard to go through, but it also means that the antibiotic is working. Also the Nystatin, my son and I are on the same dose and it's tough!! One thing that is so important that Dr. C did not mention to me, (if my memory is correct??), you must take a probiotic also. You have to put 'good bacteria' back in your system too. Please go to you Health food store and ask for the best one they have and follow the directions!! Also, although you are supposed to stay away from sugar, yogurt helps a lot also. Defeating Lyme is a war, only won with one battle at a time. It can be so frustrating and becoming VERY depressing. Remember that you are NOT alone!!! Hang in there. Through experience, always keep seeking specialist, 2nd opinions, and read as many books, do as much research as you can. When it comes to this disease, knowledge is power!!!
Posts: 351 | From Georgia | Registered: Feb 2008
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I am one of those Lymies that have been to hell and back.....
you will get better......
sounds like you have a good LL doctor.... and your on good meds......
with the doxcy I have to take it with a full meal......and don't lie down for at least an hour....thats a must...everytime.....
and drinking a full glass of water........
sometimes throughout the day I munch on a cracker or two......when my stomache feels empty sometimes it hurts...
i eat yogart every morning.....and I hate yogart.....I also take some probiotics.....
You have to have good communication with your doc though........even if so far away...... if there is a med your not comfortable taking then tell him.....maybe he can give you something else.....
i know introducing a new med is scarey...... there is nothing about this disease that isn't......
your going to get better though......
and I know how it is not to be able to go to family and friends after awhile........ they just don't get it.....and really can't......
this website is my only comfort and support other then my husband and doctor with this disease......
I hope your doing better..... stay strong..... thinking of you....
mtree
-------------------- worrying about tomorrow takes its strength away from today Posts: 970 | From Point PLeasant , NJ | Registered: Jan 2008
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