After almost two years of treatment, a lot of my symptoms got better (brain fog, thinking, reading,tingling, weakness, etc.) However, stamina a fatigue are still a big issue.
My LLMD put me on Armour Thyroid even though tests were normal. Each time I tried the stuff, I felt worse. Nausea, etc. I've tried 1 pill for a month, so I know it's the Armour. I do better without it.
I'm still on ceftin, malarone, and nystatin.
Does anybody know what will help the fatigue? My hemoglobin is 13.7. Do I need iron?
What has helped your fatigue?
Thanks, CherylSue
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Your hemoglobin sounds fine.
Maybe try a different type of thyroid. I didn't get any help from Armour, so I'm on Synthroid/Cytomel. What did your thyroid test show? Some docs think TSH below 4 is normal, but I didn't feel better till mine was below 1.
Posted by alliebridge (Member # 9103) on :
The only thing that helped my fatigue was IV Rocephin, while I was on it.
I'm off of it now and back to my old fatigue. But while on it, it really, really helped my energy level.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
Allie....Did your dr. put you on orals after the rocephin? I asked my doc about that, feeling better, then getting worse again after stopping. He said b/c you need to go on orals after going off. Just wondering.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
CherylSue, have you had your adrenal and hormone levels tested? Lyme can affect all of these levels.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Thanks for the replies. No, my adrenal and hormone levels haven't been tested except for Vitamin D. I'm 22 with 30-80 being normal. Both PCP and LLMD want me to take Vit. D supplements, but they make me feel sicker.
I've never been on IV abx. Just orals.
I may have to see an endocrinologist. LLMD said things may clear up after the infections clear up.
CherylSue
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi CherylSue. My doctor checked my adrenal and hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, estradiol, testosterone) using ZRT Lab http://www.zrtlab.com/ saliva testing.
From what I understand, saliva testing is more reliable than blood testing. Having these levels checked and treated have been beneficial for me.
Have you had your Free T3 and Free T4 tested? Armour is a T3/T4 medicine. If your Free T3 is not low but your Free T4 is, you may benefit from a T4 only med.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Armour was a disaster for me. Nine months ago, a famous LLMD switched me from Synthroid (which I felt fine on, but my T3 was a little low) to Armour and I became more hypothyroid than I was when first diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis back in 1995. It has taken nine months of profound fatigue and 20 pounds that I didn't need to gain to try to stabilize by going back slowly on Synthroid.
There is a lot of controversy right now about Armour thyroid and two M.D.s including a renowned endocrinologist said the doses are inconsistent batch to batch.
Malarone has made me bedridden with fatigue for weeks - has it done that to you?
A Lyme friend of mine who was battling fatigue for a year has rebounded remarkably with the use of three adrenal supplements/herbs, so yes, check the adrenals too.
Jill
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Has your LLMD mentioned that Malarone may be adding to your fatigue? Are you on CoQ10? Also, are you addressing inflammation?
[ 09-02-2009, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Bugg ]
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
I can't tolerate CoQ10. Makes me feel worse. I do better without the Armour. My T4 is in the middle range of normal.
I don't do more than 1 malarone per day. Two doses make me too fatigued, and I'm back working full time again after a summer break (where I actually relapsed and did worse than when I was working!)
I'm going to a new doc next week who is treating Lyme in my area. This doc may have a few new ideas. I've been going to a prominent LLMD, but I've plateaued and am looking for new treatments.
I've thought about my adrenals. My cortisol tested at 19, so I don't think I'm abnormal.
Something is off. Blood microscopy last year indicated misshapen redblood cells - mycoplasma? babesia?