Just curious about this. I'm recently diagnosed with Lyme and we still need to do further testing regarding co-infections. I have many, many Lyme symptoms. However, I don't recall reading anything about congestion being a symptom though. I have sinus congestion, ear pressure, ear pain, unproductive cough, sore throat, etc.
I know the sore throat, and ear stuff can be associated with Lyme.
Thanks in advance!
Fuzzy
p.s. I also have systemic candida, but this congestion feels different from the congestion from the candida I've been battling for years.
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
no, I think you have a separate condition. probably a cold. lyme doesn't present with these symptoms.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Yes, these are all Lyme symptoms if you read the symptom list!!! I have these as well, and do not have a cold. I've gotten a cold and it is much worse than the baseline symptoms I have daily. I'm congested; sore throat sometimes, ear stuffiness...sinus pressure...these are listed symptoms.
Posted by FuzzySlippers (Member # 13658) on :
Tracy, thanks so much! My brain has been especially fuzzy lately and I guess I don't recall reading about these particular symptoms. Could you direct to a symptom list that shows this? I must be in information overload or something. BettyG sent me a great "newbie" document and I've only read portions of it so far. Did I miss these symptoms there?
Thanks again!
Fuzzy
p.s. The LLMD who diagnosed me says that my Lyme is chronic. At least now I know why I've been sick for so many years.
Posted by onthemend (Member # 13454) on :
Hi Fuzzy - sinus stuff and ear pressure/pain are definitely common with LD. I haven't had sinus, but yes on the others.
FYI, when I first became ill, I had a constant, dry cough for about 2 1/2 - 3 months before I was ever diagnosed. Plus a huge amount of infiltrate in the left lung ('pneumonia' - but I never felt I HAD pneumonia). My LLMD (when I finally got to him!) felt these were all consistent with LD.
otm
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
i agree, they can be unrelated, but it has been a constant of mine
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
One of my early symptoms was constant sinus infections. But I would also look to the yeast as a factor!
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :
My lyme presented exactly like that. And ear pain and ear pressure as well as sinus problems have been a continuous LYME thing for me. I have ear infections and ear pressure that cycles.
I hope it gets better soon, whether caused by the lyme or not. Lyme knows no boundaries in the human body- NONE.
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
Yes, they are all symptoms of Lyme.... BUT they can be symptoms of high yeast as well.
I would normally get these symptoms when I would forget to take my Nystatin & acidophilus or when I needed to up my dose of either. You may want to try that and see what happens.
Lisi
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
look...
Upper respiratory conditions ARE NOT directly related to lyme disease infection by Bb. This is a FACT. when you post ignorant things like this, it hurts the lyme cause. now, there is some evidence that lyme can disable the immune system, or, more likely, that a coinfection {ie bartonella} can harm the immune system and cause a propensity for colds and sinus problems. but this is not a direct relation.
there is no doubt that when you are already sick with lyme, a cold or sinus issue can be much worse. repeated colds etc. may warrant a search for an immune problem such as CVID, sometimes seen with a chronic bacterial infection. But most people with lyme disease do not have a sore throat or sinus issue as a presenting symptom.
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
look...
Upper respiratory conditions ARE NOT directly related to lyme disease infection by Bb. This is a FACT. when you post ignorant things like this, it hurts the lyme cause. now, there is some evidence that lyme can disable the immune system, or, more likely, that a coinfection {ie bartonella} can harm the immune system and cause a propensity for colds and sinus problems. but this is not a direct relation.
there is no doubt that when you are already sick with lyme, a cold or sinus issue can be much worse. repeated colds etc. may warrant a search for an immune problem such as CVID, sometimes seen with a chronic bacterial infection. But most people with lyme disease do not have a sore throat or sinus issue as a presenting symptom.
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
look...
Upper respiratory conditions ARE NOT directly related to lyme disease infection by Bb. This is a FACT. when you post ignorant things like this, it hurts the lyme cause. now, there is some evidence that lyme can disable the immune system, or, more likely, that a coinfection {ie bartonella} can harm the immune system and cause a propensity for colds and sinus problems. but this is not a direct relation.
there is no doubt that when you are already sick with lyme, a cold or sinus issue can be much worse. repeated colds etc. may warrant a search for an immune problem such as CVID, sometimes seen with a chronic bacterial infection. But most people with lyme disease do not have a sore throat or sinus issue as a presenting symptom.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Thank you Bruce- I agree, it's important. Absolutely.
Re sinus - yes it IS documented as being involved in Lyme disease, I will start other thread-
re upper respiratory congestion- Upper respiratory congestion CAN be caused by Ehrlichiosis aka Anaplasmosis- AND by Babesiosis. Many supportive pieces of documentation for both-
Re Ehrlichiosis there are multiple case reports besides these two on Pubmed re Ehrlichiosis and lung problems that could present as congestion- And for Babesiosis ESPECIALLY the West Coast Babesiosis can cause respiratory acidosis and/or pulmonary edema- Best wishes, Sarah
1: South Med J. 1999 Mar;92(3):336-9. Links Ehrlichiosis with severe pulmonary manifestations despite early treatment.Weaver RA, Virella G, Weaver A. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
It is generally thought that if patients with ehrlichiosis are treated promptly, life-threatening illness can be avoided. We report a patient who sought medical attention 1 day after the onset of symptoms, was immediately given doxycycline, and still had serious illness with generalized edema, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, while receiving replacement intravenous fluids. This case alerts physicians to the serious end of the disease spectrum that can occur even though patients are given prompt, appropriate drug treatment at the onset of illness. Further studies are needed to clearly define the mechanisms involved in pulmonary complications and generalized edema, including noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, in patients with ehrlichiosis.
PMID: 10094281 1: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998 Nov;171(5):1421-4. Links Ehrlichiosis: findings on chest radiographs in three pediatric patients.Fordham LA, Chung CJ, Specter BB, Merten DF, Ingram DL. Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7510, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Ehrlichiosis is a newly recognized tick-borne infection affecting both children and adults. The disease is usually mild, with flulike symptoms, but can be fatal. We present the chest radiographs and, in one case, the chest CT scan of all recognized pediatric cases of ehrlichiosis to date from our institution. CONCLUSION: Ehrlichiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of acutely ill pediatric patients with a history of possible tick exposure and radiographic patterns of interstitial prominence, alveolar opacities, or consolidation that may be associated with pleural effusion.
PMID: 9798890
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I'll just put this here- ************************ 1: Eur Radiol. 2004 Mar;14 Suppl 3:E145-54. Links
Cranial bacterial infection.
Anslow P. Department of Neuroradiology, Racliffe Infirmary, Oxford, OX2 6HE, UK. [email protected]
Early diagnosis of cranial sepsis is mandatory if morbidity is to be avoided. In the case of structural integrity of the skull, haematogenous spread or extension from adjacent structures, especially the sinuses, are the most common sources of infection.
Infections may be limited to compartments by the meninges or spread diffusely.
Focal disease includes brain abscess as well as subdural and extradural empyaema. A history or signs of sinus disease should always be sought.
Tuberculosis, lyme disease and listeriosis may present specific pathological findings.
A series of cases is presented to illustrate the role of imaging in infective disease and to draw attention to diagnostic and management points of which radiologists should be aware.
PMID: 14749953
Posted by FuzzySlippers (Member # 13658) on :
Thanks everyone for your responses and the information!
Just to rule it out, I went to my primary duck and asked for a throat culture to rule out strep throat. It was negative. My sinuses looked clear, lungs are clear -- but throat is red, sore, irritated, and although the sinuses looked clear, I still have alot of mucuous draining into my throat. And I feel so sick.
If these symptoms aren't connected to my Lyme then I feel they are connected to a co-infection. In addition to what CalLyme just posted, I know that my symptoms are consistent with Mycoplasma Pneumonia. There's been some disagreement among doctors about whether I have that too.
I think I'm going to really push to be tested for Co-Infections at my next visit with my LLMD. We've just had SO much ground to cover in the only 3 visits I've had with him so far . . . I think I'm going to ask him to make this a priority because I really want to know.
I'm starting Doxy today and maybe that will take care of these symptoms. Then again, I might herx! lol
Blessings to everyone.
Fuzzy
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
I have experienced these symptoms from both lyme and co-infections and from yeast.
I can be difficult to differentiate symptoms of lyme and co-infections such as babesia, since they occur together so often.
I do suspect that babs is the aspect of lyme soup that is the culprit in sore throat and sinus symptoms.
I have had dueling co-infections, and the bacteria and fungus duke it out to see what gets the upper hand.
I have had success alternating or combining babs treatment with fungal treatment.
Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
quote:Originally posted by CaliforniaLyme: I'll just put this here- ************************ 1: Eur Radiol. 2004 Mar;14 Suppl 3:E145-54. Links
Cranial bacterial infection.
Anslow P. Department of Neuroradiology, Racliffe Infirmary, Oxford, OX2 6HE, UK. [email protected]
Early diagnosis of cranial sepsis is mandatory if morbidity is to be avoided. In the case of structural integrity of the skull, haematogenous spread or extension from adjacent structures, especially the sinuses, are the most common sources of infection.
Infections may be limited to compartments by the meninges or spread diffusely.
Focal disease includes brain abscess as well as subdural and extradural empyaema. A history or signs of sinus disease should always be sought.
Tuberculosis, lyme disease and listeriosis may present specific pathological findings.
A series of cases is presented to illustrate the role of imaging in infective disease and to draw attention to diagnostic and management points of which radiologists should be aware.
PMID: 14749953
what you're talking about here is spread of a meningeal infection to the sinuses, a potentially fatal result. but in these cases you have an aggressive, acute disease. this is very very rare in lyme, and is not the same thing as the chronic sinus complaints secondary to immune dysfunction which some TBD patients note.
Posted by cjnelson (Member # 12928) on :
I understood the same as Bruce is stating in that reading. While I do know that I too have had chronic sinus issues and sore throat, even loss of voice to the point that my ENT (pre diagnosis) dx me with nerve issue of voice nerve, dont remember which one or what it was called.
I think we tend to jump straight to - yes it is Lyme - when sometimes it is an indirect issue of Lyme Does that make sense?
I do belive that my sinus issues are an effect of Lyme but either it is an indirect effect or these bugs are wreaking havoc in my sinuses. I do not know which.
But the real issue to me is this:
If I am treated for Lyme, will these issues subside? If the answer is yes, wether it is a lowered immune response BECAUSE of my Lyme or it is a direct reflection that the bacteria is wreaking havoc in my sinuses, I could care less! As long as it does something for me!
On the other hand, we do need to be careful that we dont expand this disease futher than what it really is and put all of our issues and symptoms into one box - Lyme. Sometimes reading case studies we find a statement that brings us comfort in what is going on in our bodies and forget
that the study is on a different level. Most of the studies I have read with the serious issues hit on symptoms I also have but they are related more to the critical arena of health, which I do not fall into. I am in a chronic arena of health - or bad health as it may be.
That leads me, also, to believe that it is more related to a lowered immune response, thus an inderect affliction of my disease.
(Shewwww...I have been having some moments of clarity lately being able to convey my thoughts out - WOW!!!!!!! Even if they are hog wash it sure SOUNDS good!! YEAH FOR ME!!!)
There are my 2 cents!
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I agree 99% CJ & bruce- I think it is very rare myself- but does happen-
but the upper respiratory symptoms DO happen with Babs & Ehrlichiosis- which most people never think of-
with Babs it can present like diabetic acidosis!!! With Ehrlichiosis it can present like all sorts of things re lungs-
but Lyme??/ very rare to affect lungs ever like that unless paralysis of nerves related to lungs but that is very very VERY rare-
So yup, you guys are mainly right, I agree*)!!! Best wishes, S.
Posted by lorima (Member # 11925) on :
Don't forget possible allergies, including new ones - I was stuffed up all last winter, and when I took the small down throw off my bed in the spring, it went away. Checked it out by sleeping on a down pillow one night, and voila, instant stuffiness and post-nasal drip the next morning.
Too bad, I don't know how I'll keep warm this winter.
The immune system is definitely challenged by Lyme, so all kinds of secondary immune-related issues can crop up, and can get worse when having a Lyme flair-up.
Lorima
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I had a lot of sore throats, sinus and lung problems (bronchitis/pneumonia) prior to my dx.
Since I have stopped working and am able to get adequate rest those symptoms have improved.
Now I usually notice them when I am herxing, but not at other times.
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