I get very cold and can't seem to warm up ( no excuse- since i live in northern california.)
i got an electric blanket to get warm - and the severe pains started - awful feeling.
I do recall reading something about lymes and electricity...
Using hot baths doesn't do this ----any ideas what happens --why the electricity intensifies the pain/
thanks so much
mags
Posted by MarsyNY (Member # 7766) on :
You maybe exposing yourself to high level of EMF's. Do a search on google for the information I cannot explain but was told not to sleep with an electric blanket years ago because of this.
It is probably OK to use to heat up the bed.
Im freezing also, I just turned the heat up - so what I can't afford the oil..
Posted by mag (Member # 8920) on :
hi mars,
thanks for the reply !!
electromagnetic field - perhaps this makes the spirocytes grow and get happy. homeopathics recommendations also agree with this
really can't control the heat- where i live - but i will try to warm up the bed
can't wait till summer
mags
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
This is not the quick way to get warm but it is the longterm fix.
Last year when my symptoms of lyme came roaring to life, freezing was one of them. I kept a heating pad for my hands and would go to bed with pjs, robe and socks on, get under lots of covers and turn the space heater directly on me (didn't know about the electromagnetic fields). My husband would be shocked at how hot the room was and still I was freezing.
7 mths into my illness, I met my current doctor who believed I needed to rebuild my immune system. Exact opposite of the rheumatologist who said we needed to shut it down. I believed my immune system was failing not running full steam and I opted to try to heal it.
This was April and as treatment began, I eventually became warmer. I don't remember when exactly. We were moving into the summer months so I think I just gave it the credit and paid no attention.
Then winter came and I wasn't so cold as the winter before. Recently, I began warm flashing. Before my illness manifested itself last year, I was hot flashing wildly for many months. I thought it was menopause since I am the right age for that. Now I believe it was my immune system beating back the disease. Eventually my immune system gave up in defeat.
It has taken much effort on the doctor's part to build my system back up but I am currently at full speed. This winter my hands and feet stay warm. I welcome the warm flashes I am having now as I feel it is my immune system back up and running and working on eliminating the last of this disease.
I know it is not menopause as the bloodwork showed me to be fully post menopausal.
It will take you awhile to reach this point, but healing your immune system is the only way you will ultimately be well. You can certainly do this while on whatever treatment plan the doctor has you on.
How do you heal your immune system? Nutritionally. Feel free to e-mail me privately as to how my doctor and I have accomplished this. Most importantly, find a doctor or very good nutritionist to help you reach your peak immune system.
Luvs
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Mag, I can't tell you WHY this happens, but it does. Electric blankets and Lyme do not mix.
See this earlier LymeNet thread for a discussion about electric blankets:
After first starting treatment, I had six months of freezing...including times when it was 97-outside. I'd be wrapped in several thick fleece blankets.
That first autumn and winter, I couldn't seem to get warm, no matter what I did. My acupuncturist gave me Chinese herbs to try and boost my body heat. She also encouraged me to do away with "cold" foods like salads.
I ordered a product called Wristies, which helped me keep my hands and wrists warm while I was working and typing. You can order these online at wristies.com...and, no, I've got no affiliation with the company.
I drank a lot of herbal teas that used spices designed to warm, like ginger (lemon ginger tea is wonderful).
Hot baths helped me a lot.
About 7 months into treatment, my body temperature seemed to normalize. This happened, even though my immune count was still perilously low.
My thought is that it just takes time and healing. Many Lyme patients (including me) also have very low body temperatures. I still haven't been able to get mine up to 98.
Hope this helps and hope you're able to get some relief.
Andie
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
I also had trouble with being cold, with lyme. At times this was because of running a fever, but later my fever went subnormal and I was still cold. A few times I had to subsidize additional contributions to global warming and accelerate the production on nuclear waste (i.e., turn up the heat...). I also am a bit concerned about long exposure to 60-cycle alternating electric fields, so was reluctant to use electric blankets, though I have one. A few times I used it, but more often just turned it on for awhile for preheating.. Wool is very helpful, especially wool socks on the feet and long johns! I hope you warm up soon! DaveS
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
Not sure about the electricity & Lyme, but seems like you got some good answers.
One thing I'd like to add about being cold in the first place ----- Have your thyriod checked. I was cold forever, it could have been 80 outside and I would still be cold. I know its a symptom of low thyroid. Plus most lymies have some sort thyroid disorder.
Oh BTW --- its Lyme and not Lymes. Sorry to have to correct you.
Lisi
Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
Unlike a lot of those on the forums that I've read, when I was my sickest and untreated, I was always hot, not cold. My body temperature used to be a little bit low, but is now around normal.
I used to be able to walk outside in the dead of winter in a short sleeve shirt and still feel hot. Now I get colder more or less like a normal person (I still prefer cooler environments to warmer ones, but I believe that is my natural preference pre-lyme).
I don't feel that using a standard heating pad in bed for sore muscles or to warm up has hurt me in anyway.
Posted by mag (Member # 8920) on :
hi everyone
thanks for sharing all your experiences
lsi - had my thyroid checked and it is fine within the norm. it is quite a challenge to keep up with all the quirks with these symptoms
luv to ride - i would like to find out more about the immune systems -will pm you -- Just recently - started to get the hot flashes. - and i don't think they are menopausal. G inger teas sounds wonderful
thanks so much
mags
Posted by leogrl54 (Member # 10770) on :
mag,
for 2 yrs i thought i was menoapusal too. but i wasn't. after getting my diagnosis in 4/06 i realized it was my immune system gone haywire. my inflammatory labs by my llmd proved this.
then i started frezzing, my hands and lips would be purple. yet rest of my body felt ok. long soaking baths were the only way to get warm.
think it is another weird indication of lyme and lyme load.
thank god i live in montana. it is easier for me to get warm than try and cool down. i found a lukewarm bath/shower helped with the hot flashes, don't ask why. i found myself ripping my clothes off. felt ike i was crawling out of my skin.
after i startd treatment the hotflashes have lessened but i still am forever cold. luckily i have a old clawfoot tub and a beutiful view out my bathroom window. i spen lots of time there
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
One thing that could cause "menoapusal" type symptoms and anemia(which does make you cold) is a Babesia. This is a co-infection to lyme.
Babesia symtom list:
20. What signs and symptoms would lead a doctor to suspect a Babesia infection in a patient? How many strains of Babesiosis have been identified and how many are commonly tested for in commercial labs?
The following signs/symptoms may be present in those infected with Babesiosis:
Fatigue* Arthralgias* (aching joints) Myalgia* (muscle pain) Drenching sweats* Headaches* Emotional lability* Depression* Dark urine* Splenomegaly* (enlarged spleen) Dizziness* Nausea and vomiting* Cough* Dyspnea* (difficulty breathing) Fever* Chills* Hepatosplenomegaly* (enlarged liver) Jaundice* Malaise* Shortness of breath* Bleeding tendencies, bruising* Thrombocytopenia* (low platelets in the blood) Hemoglobinuria* (red cell breakdown, with release of hemoglobin in the urine) Hyperesthesia* (over sensitivity to touch) Pulmonary edema* (fluid accumulation, swelling in the lungs) Encephalopathy* (alters brain function) Low to normal range leukocyte counts* Possible elevated levels of dehydrogenase, bilirubin, transaminase* Anorexia*
Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return. A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection.
An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially. There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs.
Hope this helps you, Lisi
Posted by micul (Member # 6314) on :
Some Lymies are very sensitive to EM fields. If you are sure that your incresed pain is from the E Blanket and not your abx, then I wouldn't use it anymore except to heat up your bed before you get into it. Then it is a good idea to unplug the blanket while you are in the bed. Her'e's what Mercola has to say about it:
I have a little bag of flax and herbs that I bought at a mall kiosk. It microwaves warm in under two minutes. It helps so much when my hands are cold.
I also put it around my neck, over my shins, lay on top of it in bed, drape it over my face, hold it up to my jaw. It helps to warm me up and it helps with pain.
It stays warm for a pretty long time. It's very comforting.
We keep one in the freezer, too, for when cold feels better.
Mine is sort of dingy looking, like an over used security blanket. When I get up the energy, I'm going to sew it a new cover.
I think you can use rice for this too, although flax is supposed to provide a more penetrating heat. I don't know of an online source, but I'll look into it.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I bought a hybrid car last year and had to return it the next day for the same reason - I guess too many EMF's were zapping my brain.
Mind you, I'm off abx and have my life back - but this thing sent me off into loopy land. I got all dizzy and brain loopy. I called my LLMD and she wasn't surprised by my reaction.
Fortunately, the dealer was understanding and let me exchange it for a regular engine car. So much for conservation... Something to think about in case anyone is car shopping.
Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
Just an update. Had an appointment with doctor #2 of 4, (Homeopathic/Accupunture specialist, not a standard ILADS LLMD). He agreed with some of you that electric heating pads et al... are bad for some people.
I personally think my heating pad has helped me in the past, but he said that it make increase symptoms in EM sensitive individuals. Just letting everyone know.
Here's a question - Most of us sit in front of computer equipment/TVs etc... for a percentage of our day. Some of us, like myself, a high percentage. My 37" monitor has to be putting out More EMF, but... it doesn't seem to make me feel any worse.
Is this something we all really need to be worried about, or just individuals that have a noted reaction they can specifically tie to EMF sources.
Also, fun tip - cheap heating pad. Take sock. Fill with rice. Microwave on high. 30 sec for immediate application to skin, 1:00 if over top of clothing. Times assume a 1200watt microwave.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
LIH said..
"I bought a hybrid car last year and had to return it the next day for the same reason - I guess too many EMF's were zapping my brain."
Ya know.. I never thought about that. THANK YOU for mentioning it. If I ever get rid of my old truck.. that is what I was considering getting. And I am NOT the kind to "test drive" a car.. so I would have REALLY not ben happy.
Thanks again!!!
Oh.. and about the electric/heat/cold thing...
We all have an internal temperature control.. operated by.. THE BRAIN!
If brain is affected.. this control gets stuck.. on/off/low/high.
My chiropractor is able to help with this symptom somewhat... but proper treatment and killing the offenders works best.
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
For you fellow cold lymies get some long johns.
I wear long johns & long john tops . Then I wear several layers of clothes on top of the long underwear layers even to bed.
This seems to help alot. I have like 6 different pairs. Different thickness for different out fits & really thick pairs for bedtime. You can buy really thin long johns for outfits that are tighter.
And really thick warm socks help also. I wear them even in the summer because the air conditioning makes me cold too.
Sorry I got off topic- I will warm up my bed also with an electric blanket -then turn it off-but try not to use it alot. I also use an electric moist heating pad for my back but only try to limit time of use. It's hard because the heat feels so good.
stay warm Dana
Posted by mag (Member # 8920) on :
hi everyone,
what great information --thank you so much. Being so cold really stops me from functioning I will give the flax warmers a try-
I will not buy that hybrid car after all !!
My temp this morning at 10 am was 96.1 - I am sure the bones were frozen-Even though -I was wearing 2 pairs of socks leggings, 2 tops- I must have that High lyme load now
thanks mags
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
For those of you with cold extremities, one way to warm up is to apply a heating pad or a hot pack to the abdomen.
When your core temperature is raised, the blood vessels in the hands and feet relax, allowing more blood flow.
Also, if your low body temperature is due to thyroid problems, eating coconut oil is supposed to help the thyroid. (I've read this, but have no personal experience.)
There are electric blankets available that are supposed to have very reduced electromagnetic fields.
I used an electric blanket for many years, and it was just wonderful not to be cold.
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