Hi all. I just discovered this website this morning. What a great resource! I'll try to be brief.
Around the end of August, my legs started feeling "weak". Then around mid-Sept, I started having bad muscle pain in my legs. It would move around; sometimes in thighs, sometimes one calf, etc. Then, the muscle weakness and muscle pain started moving up my body to include my arms. The only joint pain I've noticed seems to be in my hip area. Another strange symptom I've noticed - when I'm holding still (most of the time in bed), my muscles seem to vibrate or jitter. No external tremor visible, it's an internal feeling. I notice it most when I wake up. Very weird. I also have some occasional muscle spasms. I've been tired a lot.
Around the time this started, I got an insect bite of some kind (didn't see the insect). I did NOT get the typical bullseye pattern, but I did get a solid red circle around the bite (about 3in. in diameter). It was slightly swollen and feverish. To my knowledge, I did not run a fever.
Currently, I still have all over weakness and muscle pains that come and go. And this weird vibrating sensation.
Does it sound like it could be lyme??
I had a brain MRI in June (before this all started). It was negative. I'm scheduled for a spine MRI this afternoon and then I'm scheduled to see a neurologist this coming Thursday. My internist seems to think I'm nuts! :-) Oh, I should mention that he did put me on 10 days of doxycycline, 100mg twice daily; that I just finished up yesterday (he seemed to think that on the remote chance it was lyme, that would take care of it). I can't tell any difference in my symptoms.
Comments and insite would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks.
[ 10. October 2006, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: stiner ]
Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :
Hi there! Glad you found us. You are in TX where there are some good llmd's (lyme literate doctors) I would urge you to go to the SEEKING A DOCTOR Forum and ask for a referral to one of these doctors. Since names of doctors are not used here, leave your email so others can contact you.
Your internist thinks your nuts...and most likely your neurologist will, too! Somewhere on this site is an Alligator Pit where we throw our internists and neurologists to the alligators. These doctors are unaffectionately referred to as "ducks" and hospitals are called Duck Motels!
Here is a list of symptoms: (yes, you may have lyme)
Musculoskeletal System Joint pain or swelling Stiffness of joints, back, neck Muscle pain or cramps Creaking, cracking joints Heel pain Spinal sensitivity Movement of pain or swelling to different joints
Neurologic System Headache - persistent/severe Bell's Palsy (facial paralysis) Burning or stabbing pains Tremors or unexplained shaking Numbness in body and/or extremities, tingling, pinpricks Weakness or partial paralysis Pressure in the head Lightheadedness, wooziness Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking Increased motion sickness Seizures, stroke symptoms Restless legs
Mental Capability Memory loss (short or long term) Confusion, difficulty in thinking Forgetting how to perform simple tasks Speech difficulty (slurred or slow) Stammering, stuttering speech Going to the wrong place
Psychological well-being Mood swings, irritability Unusual depression Panic-anxiety attacks Overemotional reactions, crying easily Aggression, rage Too much sleep, insomnia Difficulty falling or staying asleep Obsessive-compulsive behavior Suicidal thoughts Paranoia Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Head, Face, Neck Stiff or painful neck Headache, mild or severe Twitching of facial or other muscles Jaw pain or stiffness Sore throat Unexplained hair loss Scalp rash
Eyes, Vision Floaters Double or blurry vision Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes Light sensitivity Flashing lights Tearing and/or dry Vision loss/Blindness
Ears/Hearing Decreased hearing in one or both ears Buzzing or ringing in ears (tinnitus) Pain in ears Sound sensitivity
Digestive and Excretory System Diarrhea Constipation Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) Frequent urination Upset stomach, vomiting Bloating Gastroesophageal reflux
Respiratory/Circulatory System Shortness of breath Chest pain or rib soreness Night sweats or unexplained chills Heart palpitations or extra beats Heart block, heart attack Valve prolapse, murmurs
Reproductive Loss of sex drive Sexual dysfunction Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity Unexplained breast pain, discharge Testicular or pelvic pain
General Well-being Extreme fatigue Symptoms change, come and go Pain moves to different body parts Unexplained weight gain or loss Malaise Chills All types of rashes on the body and /or scalp Swollen glands Unexplained fevers (high or low grade) Itching Continual infections (sinus, kidney, yeast, bladder, etc.) Increased sensitivity to allergens Exaggerated response to alcohol or sweets Nodules under the skin Early on, experienced a flu-like illness, after which you have not felt well since.
nan
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Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
I think that we should get an extra + on a new Igenix band for everytime we are called "nuts". I woud have 6++++++ on that one. Just kidding, of course !
I would be suspicious from what you are describing, but the only way you will truly find out is if you go to someone who knows....like a llmd, or ILADS type md. who will use Igenix.
That way, you will be able to believe the diagnosis.
Hopefully, you have posted on "seeking a doctor".
Northstar
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by nan: Hi there! Glad you found us. You are in TX where there are some good llmd's (lyme literate doctors)
No longer true, nan. I'm sad to say that, but stiner will have to travel in order to get treatment.
Stiner, the amount of doxy you were given will NOT cure Lyme. Not possible unless MAYBE if it was given to you IMMEDIATELY following the bite.
Your most important task right now is to find a Lyme literate MD.
I have a good list, but there's only one dr left in TX right now.
Posted by hatsnscarfs (Member # 6562) on :
It could be Lyme. Vibrating feelings is a common Lyme symptom. I also had the leg muscle twitching/vibrating.
10 days of doxycycline is not enough. Check out the Newbie links here on LymeNet. hatsnscarfs
Posted by James H (Member # 6380) on :
The rash you describe sounds alot like what I had. Did it look like any of these?
These were on my skinny leg, and ended up being posted as an example...
"Classic" actually isn't that common.
Posted by stiner (Member # 10312) on :
Hmm, not quite. Mine just seemed like a red, inflamed area around the bite. Slightly swollen and feverish....I guess that's why I'm still not so sure it's lyme.
I have a neurologist appt tomorrow - my first. I'll post what he tells me.
Thanks James.
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
quote: The fact that your internist thinks you are nuts is by itself suggestive of Lyme as the diagnosis.
That's the best answer so far.
Weren't most lymies here thought by ducks as nuts!!!