My hourly hot flashes began in October 2015 and continue to this day. I was officially diagnosed with Lyme Disease in June 2016. The hot flashes are often accompanied by chest pressure and shortness of breath. The flash begins in my chest, spreads outward down my arms and up my neck to my face. I sweat profusely. Even my scalp sweats. In 2 minutes I am back to normal. I can practically set my watch by them, and by looking at my face, it is obvious when I am having one. Sometimes they are followed by the chills.
I am 22 years past menopause. I have been thoroughly examined by an Endocrinologist. I have consulted a Wellness Specialist. Tried Acupuncture. Everything has failed.
Is this from Lyme? All other physical causes have been ruled out. My bloodwork is fine. Thyroid, pituitary, adrenals, hormone levels are fine. No cancers or tumors have been found. Does anyone here suffer like this? Do you know of anything that might give some relief? After almost 2 years of this nonsense, I am exhausted.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Prof Mel, good to see you!
Sounding like you... I often feel I should be ordering my clothing from Tarpon Springs, FL. It is (use to be) the natural sponge capital of the world.
These types of sweats, once all else has been ruled out, can be a sign of Babesiosis.
QUOTE- "...waves of sweats at night that can also occur during the day..."
QUOTE- "... drenching night sweats..."
QUOTE- "... chills..."
They can also be from Bartonella, but typically Bartonella sweats aren't as intense as the Babesia sweats. Plus, Babesia sweats can be followed by chills.
BINGO? Hope so!
Here is a link to a description of Babesia and Bartonella (along with many other tick borne diseases).
It includes a list of symptoms, diagnosis and labs, and treatment options for each of the infections.
I was not tested for Bartonella. It is on the list of 15 Vector-Borne Diseases that my doctor gave me. I was tested for 9 of them. All negative.
The following tests were not ordered:
355 Bartonella henselae IgG/IgM by ELISA (serum required) 317 Bartonella henselae by Real-Time PCR
Are these the tests that I need?
Because of the negative results this time, my doctor does not want to put me on more antibiotics. I had 3 rounds of antibiotics last year. Doxycycline for 3 weeks in May, Cefuroxime Axetil all of June, and Minocycline all of November.
My next scheduled visit is September 28th.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
If you read the info on Babesia at the link I shared above you'll see important information on testing, and various strains of Babesiosis. Same with Bartonella.
If you are depending on the infectious disease doctor to properly diagnose and treat you, it isn't going to happen.
Hopefully you can get to a doctor that knows what they are doing, and soon.
Posted by Stumpy (Member # 27320) on :
ProfMel, For three years, I tested negative for babesia through Quest and LabCorp. Finally I paid for a PCR test through Igenex Labs and was highly positive for Babesia microti and duncani.
To me, your symptoms sound like babesia. I would definitely find a LLMD who will figure out and treat your symptoms appropriately.
Posted by Stumpy (Member # 27320) on :
I looked back at my Igenex lab report and wanted to correct it for you. I was lyme positive on the PCR test and babesia positive by IFA -IgM & IgG.