posted
Having chronic lyme and 2 babesia co-infections what is the life expectancy of someone who isnt receiving treatment? I don't have the energy to keep looking for a new doctor since mine was forced to close his doors, so I was just curious.
-------------------- Don't fear disease. It will hold you prisoner. Have hope. It will set you free. Don't accept disease! Focus on life! Rise up and live beyond your diagnosis! Posts: 3 | From VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Hum, I would say no more than 60 years because at that age collagen production drops dramatically so with a disease that eats collagen, then I don't think a body could survive more...
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Are you giving up, then?
There are many other things you can do on your own. Out of necessity, I've been battling this solo for years. Oh, I'm not well but I'm not dead yet, either.
There are MANY more ways you can be proactive even if you can't find another LLMD. Really. Then, when the time is right, you might find a good LLMD or LL ND. It is best to have a doctor to guide you but don't give up because that door closes. There are other doors.
As for if you do just give up, there is really no way to know. The fact is that lyme and other TBD can be fatal - at any time for anyone - even those receiving treatment.
But it is still more the exception than the rule. No two patients are exactly alike and there are always mitigating circumstances. Those who get steroids have a much harder time of it, though, so steer clear of steroids, for sure.
Also steer clear of all processed foods. Lifestyle matters.
I always feel a bit better taking as much control as I can, though. If I go down, at least I've tried the best I could most of the time.
And, even if I do go down, I feel and do better with some of the complementary methods even if they are not quite enough for me at this stage.
All we can do is the best with what we have and enjoy as much as we can along the way. But if you can tolerate garlic, that might just be a very good support for you. If you can't tolerate garlic and need a cooler herb, Olive Leaf Extract is a good basic support. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Topic: How to find a LL ND (naturopathic doctor), acupuncturist, etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, an Acupuncturist, a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc.
Includes many articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Not sure where in VA you live, but there are quite a few great LLMD's in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area.
Seems a shame to just give up. Hopefully, it's just a bad day you're having and you will want to keep trying soon.
Are you willing to travel a little distance? If so, I'm sure you could find one in MD or DC, if not VA.
Posts: 217 | From Earth | Registered: Feb 2010
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i have not given up but i believe you should always live your life and rely on God. Make sure He knows you are doing everything right.
i will go at His timing, not mine. i leave it all up to Him.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I'm trying to eat right but not eating breads, sugar, etc is hard and I am so tired of salads. I'm a picky eater to begin with so figuring out what to eat sucks.
I'm exhausted from all of the links I have been sifting through to find a dr.
I'm in Va Beach and my insurance policy isnt great for out of state treatment. I can't afford the out-of-pocket expenses anymore.
I wish I could afford to pay someone to find a doctor for me. I'd also have them make my meals, do my laundry, write out my bills for me, etc. I'm really just too tired to do any of it anymore. I cant quit my job because I have to pay the bills, but being a teacher takes most of the energy that I have. When I get home, being Mom takes all the energy that I have left.
Lyme sucks!
-------------------- Don't fear disease. It will hold you prisoner. Have hope. It will set you free. Don't accept disease! Focus on life! Rise up and live beyond your diagnosis! Posts: 3 | From VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
We also have a very active General Support board here, it might help you, lots of people willing ot listen
-------------------- Myalgic encephalomyelitis, 2002 | Viral onset, following Hep B vaccine Lyme since '06 | Bartonella since '08 (cured) | Mycoplasma pneumoniae since '08 IGeneX: IgM 31IND 34IND 41+ | IgG 39IND 58+ 41+++ IgG deficiencies and MTHFR 677TT mutations Posts: 512 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2010
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I think that the life expectancy is probably pretty close to normal, for most people. It just affects the quality of life.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Your signature doesn't sound like someone who would just give up!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
quote:Originally posted by Kristina Louise: I'm trying to eat right but not eating breads, sugar, etc is hard and I am so tired of salads. I'm a picky eater to begin with so figuring out what to eat sucks.
I'm exhausted from all of the links I have been sifting through to find a dr.
I'm in Va Beach and my insurance policy isnt great for out of state treatment. I can't afford the out-of-pocket expenses anymore.
I wish I could afford to pay someone to find a doctor for me. I'd also have them make my meals, do my laundry, write out my bills for me, etc. I'm really just too tired to do any of it anymore. I cant quit my job because I have to pay the bills, but being a teacher takes most of the energy that I have. When I get home, being Mom takes all the energy that I have left.
Lyme sucks!
Check your PM's, you now have access to finding someone to help you.
Also, it sounds to me like you're disabled but just running on fumes to survive. That entitles you to file for social security disability, which also entitles you to state insurance and medicare. Your current insurance plan may also have a short term and long term disability program that is apart of your package. You can talk to your insurance company. Again, you would need a doctor to sign off.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel:)
Just kidding !
I was on abx for some years without success so I decided abx was not working for me. I've been abx free for 5 years and I'm doing OK. I expect to live a long, long, time. I'm still positive for lyme, and xmrv.
I haven't given up on treatment ,I'm always looking for something that might work . Until then I make the most out of every day and live life to my potential for that day.
I wouldn't worry about how long you will live . I've had lyme for 15 years .
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
You sound depressed. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. We have all been there and have to struggle to get back on track. Don't give up.
In one of my nights of insomnia I had the realization that long term abx with all the side effects are far preferable to the slow decline of losing MIND and body that comes with this disease. It is not just dying that scares me. It is losing myself before getting there. The co-infections are the worst for mental/emotional decline.
So not trying to fight these diseases is opening the door to MS, chronic fatigue and dementia for me. It saying good bye to the family that loves me, to my ability to have a moment of joy, to rejoicing at the beauty of life.
There are many ways to fight. Alternative is not the cheapest so I don't recommend it to anyone struggling financially. ABX can be purchased online and you can tell your doctor to give you the liver tests you need for any number of reasons. Then you can continue looking for a new LLMD.
I have diagnosed myself every single infection and I have treated myself. The doctors are just a formality. I hope they will know more than me and the combined knowledge of all the people on this site - but ultimately I am the one who makes the decisions. I am the one who figures it out for myself and keeps trying to find the solution.
I am going to a LLMD next month. I went to one two years ago. I hope this one is more helpful. I hope he is a magician with tricks that I have not heard of. I always stay positive. Someday I will be well because I have to be.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
For most of us I would say (the same as anyone), but with a lot more pain and problems.
I think it depends on each person, no one person is the same.
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
Have you looked into some alternative treatments like herbs and salt/c? Very inexpensive and both have saved my life. I only spend approx $100 mos on these products.
Check out lymestrategies for more options with people who use alternatives successfuly.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
my mother died at age 83 and i'm positive she had lyme.
but the lyme didn't kill her, the doctors did!!!
she had congestive heart failure and other stuff and they misdiagnosed her.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
No one can tell you for sure how much shorter your life will be with untreated infections but it seems logical that on-going infections would shorten anyone's life.
I know that once you go a long time without treatment it is much harder to get your health back. Many chronic lyme patients pick up more infections as time goes on because of the effect that TBI's have on the immune system.
When younger, the immune system works better and we can often keep the infections under control. I saw periods for myself when I didn't get worse and some where I had a slow decline and then suddenly my health declined very rapidly.
Other family members are sick and not being treated and several of them are pretty sick. My sister was really sick for 10 years and just died at age 57. In my opinion, her lack of treatment shortened her life considerably.
That said, there are many variables that determine how one will fare with chronic lyme.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by TerryK: My sister was really sick for 10 years and just died at age 57. In my opinion, her lack of treatment shortened her life considerably.
My sincere condolences, Terry. I know Lyme shortened the lives of my parents, but at least they lived to ages 77 and 81.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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