quote:

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Originally posted by pq:
see zhang's description of herbs which address this.

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Thanks pq, I'll do a search.
 

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Posted by k-lyme (Member # 5574) on :
 
NOTE: All of you guys might want to go see your PCP's and have an ANA panel run. Racoon eyes is a HUGE symptom of Lupus. It would be caused by Lyme no doubt, but Lupus alone is a big problem and one can only imagine how big of a problem it could be when it is caused by Lyme. If you all do decide to get this blood test (which is covered by insurance), definitely take the results to your LLMD's and have him/her make the final decision and treatment plan.

Good Luck

K-lyme
 

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Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
 
Hi True

I have had this too for 20 years I have had lyme. Treatment got me in partcial remmission & I noticed breifly the bags & dark circles improved slightly.

Although when I get tired or run down they seem to come back almost over night. I cut down on salt hoping that would help at least with the puffiness but no dice.

I use a makeup conceller made for scar patients a dermo doc reccommened called "Derma blend"-find it in some larger department stores.Comes in different tints for each person's skin tone. Suppposed to get it -one shade lighter than the skin tone on your face. Does help if I have the energy & to put on make-up-which isn't very often

Some natural treatments that can help a little are lemon juice dabbed on the dark circles- but be very very careful not to get it in your eyes.

Also cucumber slices right from the fridge. And believe it I have read a tea bag can help. Never tried this though. Your supposed to seep a reg tea bag & rest it under your eyes.

Hope this helps

Blessings
Dana
ps. I tested ngeative for Lupus.
_________________________________________________

sorry to stray off subject but I think in my case this definitely is lyme & co related. Because didn't have before lyme & got somwwhat better for sometime after treatment. But like I said the more tired I am they come right back with the raccoon eyes. I know- no one should be this tired-it really stinks

[ 19. January 2007, 02:43 PM: Message edited by: 5dana8 ]
 

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Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
Bartonella.


 

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Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
 
Hi True,

I would get baggs under my eyes, but not down on either side of my nose, it sounds terrible. I sure hope you feel better soon and get some rest.

Here is a Babesia symptom list from Tincup, maybe this will help?


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.
 

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Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
 
okay Tin says Bart..

Here is a symptom list for Bartonella by Liz:

I had bart for years, and started getting better immediately with rifampin + ketek treatment. If there is any chance at all you have it, you have to treat for it. The symptoms can be interchangeable with Lyme, and even worse, they can be partially suppressed by Lyme drugs.

Without any treatment, bart begins as a relapsing fever that has neurological side effects: disorientation, mood changes, difficulty with reading, concentration, mild attention deficit disorder. As it progresses,
you get splitting headaches,
swollen lymph nodes,
sore throats,
shin splints,
body aches,
severe neurological disturbances,
severe ADD,
insomnia,
extreme fatigue,
scratchy eyes,
thyroid problems,
blood seeping continuously from your nose,
and eventually psychosis. Yes, you read that right.

"I've been thinking about a PICC line as a last resort for the most hard to reach Lyme. With bartonella treatment, however, I went from being almost completely disabled by relapsing fever and fatigue to 90% remission in a couple of months. I still have mild symptoms of everything, but at least I can hold down a job and exercise again. Although I always had one personality while I was sick, I had lousy impulse control and would get angry over nothing. The final destination would not have been pleasant."
 

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Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
 
Dear Trueblue,

I've often told my family that I look just like a raccoon!!!!

I still have puffy bags under my eyes but for me the darkness went away with diflucan and doxy.

Not sure if it is just a coincidence, but.....I don't look like a raccoon anymore.

I look like a 41 yr old mother of two young children who never gets enough rest and who is fighting Lyme, babs and bart.

Darn! I guess I do look pretty good for all of that.

Hang in there.

Geneal
 

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Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Thanks K-lyme,
I had a huge Lupus panel run within the last year. Thankfully, all of the tests were negative.

Thanks Dana,
For the commisseration and tips. Cucumbers sound yummy, oh, not supposed to eat them? Darn! I was thinking a little cover-up might help but since I had no idea how to put on make-up, lol, it might be a challange. The weird thing is there is no puffiness.

Thanks Tincup,
I seemed to remember lymeinhell mentioning this to me before and that was why I posed the question. I was thinking Bart because this got really bad right after the swollen glands, etc... kicked back in the other day.

Thank you Beverly,
For the symptom lists and responses. It's not like black eyes are a bad symptom it just makes you look sick on top of feeling that way.
It seems I have a full collection of Babs symptoms and Bart ones all at once. I spend my time in alternating and overlapping flares.


Admittedly, I have some allergies but this seems way more than my usual as far as black eyes go.


I appreciate all the responses and just hope I can get to the Babs and then the Bart. So many TBD's so little time.
 

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Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Ooops, didn't see you sneak in there Geneal.

Thanks...
I've had this before but not in a lot of years and not along with all the symptoms I have now.

I do know it goes away but can't remember how... some treatment along the way. It's been a while for me.


And by the way, you do look great.
 

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Posted by wiserforit (Member # 9732) on :
 
Hey Geneal,

We have a lot in common besides racoon eyes!

I look like a 48 yr old mother of two young children who never gets enough rest and who is fighting Lyme, babs and bart!


I'd rather be 41 than 48, so I'll trade ya!


wiserforit
 

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Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
"So many TBD's so little time."

Funny True!

HA!

Maybe we should get that on a bumper sticker?


 

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Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
 
Have you seen a vet?
 

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Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by wiserforit:
I'd rather be 41 than 48, so I'll trade ya!

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I'll trade either of you. I'm 49 and counting. Trade me and I'll take on a couple of kids. Nice, mostly, self sufficient ones would be good. Or perhaps I could just rent.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tincup:
"So many TBD's so little time."

Funny True!

HA!

Maybe we should get that on a bumper sticker?

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could do...
I've got the graphics background."
(I'm not sure but it might need a semicolon.)

quote:

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Originally posted by Robin123:
Have you seen a vet?

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Because I'm a raccoon or because of all the animal diseases?
I bet I'd get better diagnoses and treatment. *nods*
 

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Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
 
My MD told me bags under the eyes are common with late lyme...but this is also a well-known genetic predisposition, so it's likely a combo. I have pretty bad circles, and have since I was about 19. people always thought I had a black eye or two.
 

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Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Thanks AB,
There's some genetic predisposition to bags under the eyes but not these really badd circles. It's pracitally black up the sides of the brigde of my nose and without being puffy.

I've had them come and go before and these seem particularly bad.


Somewhat unrelated but maybe not...
I also get a circular bruise on one cheek when feeling run down (about the size of a qurater). Like an deep under skin bruise.

Last year I woke up one day with a bright red nose and it faded to a purple spot under the skin just to one side of the tip of my nose. A dermatologist and my then LLMD were no help at all.


I suspect the first set of raccoon symptoms is Bart and the second set of bruises Babs but weho knows unless something resolves.


Please can something resolve soon? So so tired and then tired more.
 

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Posted by daniel (Member # 22201) on :
 
i'll up this one... i got them when i went quickly downhill... since that time i have them. they didnt went away with bart treatment.

before i got sick, i hadnt them

greetz
 

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Posted by apljack (Member # 14233) on :
 
I know exactly what you mean. I have them on the side of the eye next to the nose. These have partly gone away with the babs treatment.

they are so bad that people will comment on them. I find if I drink lots and lots of water it's not quite so bad. the puffiness? Comes with white flour and white sugar for me. If I'm good with my diet and am drinking lots of water with lemon, the puffiness isn't quite so bad. Also, must have sleep and lots of it. And, no stress. Fish oil helps too.
 

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Posted by trigal2 (Member # 20578) on :
 
For me food allergies is a major contender... If I eat any dairy or gluten or yeast I wake up with this problem and tons of puffiness..
 

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Posted by onbam (Member # 23758) on :
 
I have these too.
 

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Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
 
-
Heavy Metal toxicity can cause racoon eyes.

Gluten, dairy, corn or soy (or other foods) can cause racoon eyes in those who can't properly digest these foods.

You might want to consider celiac. www.celiac.com

Even for those who don't have official food sensitivities, these foods can cause phlegm build up in the sinuses and that can cause racoon eyes.

Eliminating certain foods - and also using a NETI POT may help.
-
 

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Posted by tonysgirl (Member # 11202) on :
 
One last thing to think of, but high levels of Insulin or Insulin Resistance cause darkening of the skin around the eyes.

It is called Acanthrosis Nigricans and shows up primarily around the eyes, armpits, neck, elbows and fingers. I have high insulin levels and I notice the higher it gets, the more predominate the darkness gets. I have always had dark circles, but this just makes them much worse.
 

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Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
 
Seeing names in this old thread that belong to disappeared folks, like geneal, aligondo bruce. Wondering how they are.
 

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