posted
I am still wondering why lyme seems to affect women more seriously with autoimmune issues, and I would guess mostly under 40, just like auto immune diseases show their ugly face between 20 and 40 years old... What is it that make women different?... Also, if you are over 40 and your symptoms started when you were in your 20's, did you notice a difference in your 40's?
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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penguingirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28688
posted
I am 33 - I got diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 25 but I was always got sick very easily with sinus infections since 1996 so I had a bad immune for awhile.
Then I had crushing fatigue for at least 2 years in my early 20s which I just attributed to my endometriosis so I just don't know what was what.
Then I think if I even had lyme it was dormant for a good 5 years when I started getting joint pain and neurological symptoms.
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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Diagnosed with lyme in 2009. Symptoms since late 90s.
I got sicker and sicker very slowly so I was misdiagnosed for a long time. I know I got significantly worse when I started on a different hormonal therapy (progesterone patch) in 2002.
My ana is + but I am negative for Lupus.
Still not where I want to be, but better than I was with treatment.
Posts: 233 | From Hudson Valley | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Thanks girls! By the way, I am 30 and got very sick in 2009. I am getting better but hopefully by 40 years, i will be done:-)
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I'm 29...just got married last year (barely made it through my wedding, I was so sick).. was planning to start a family soon after getting married, but this has certainly put a damper on things.
-------------------- "The simple things can get you through the hardest times." Posts: 628 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- "Auto immune" disease is most often undiagnosed stealth infection. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I was 40 when I got terribly ill. I had Lyme most of my life and got bitten again and became bedridden. I'm 47 now and feel better than I have ever felt in my life.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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I started feeling my symptoms 5 years ago after lots and lots and lots of stress.
I was clinically diagnosed by my son's LLMD's PA about 6 months ago. No blood testing done. Not sure if I believe my diagnosis.
I joined the forum after my son became ill about 1.5 years ago.
Posts: 43 | From Southeastern US | Registered: Jul 2009
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tricia386
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29623
posted
I am 24 and have Vitiligo and Hashimoto diseases
-------------------- Lyme activated in April 2010 by gardasil vaccine. DX: Lyme,Babs,Myco,Bart 11/10 Treatment Started: 3/28/11 Posts: 1752 | From Albany, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
just turned 40
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
I am 27...I thought I always had really good immunity because I rarely got sick but when I did it was bad. I would be extremely sick rather than just under the weather. I also have endometriosis.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
Keebler, I agree that auto immune is an infection, however, it seems to affect women way more than men so it certainely has sth to do with our hormonal system or sth...
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Skies...I am in the same boat as you. 29, just got married this past summer. I got sick about 3 weeks before my wedding and it put such a damper on everything. And, like you, plans for family and everything else fun that I had planned for first year of marriage is put on hold indefinitely now until I get better...
posted
I am 39 and was just diagnosed at the end of December. I was actually pregnant and had a 2nd trimester miscarriage in September that was unexplained and I started my search for answers soon after and got diagnosed w/ Lyme/Bartonella.
I just watched the documentary Under Our Skin and highly recommend it especially for those of you considering pregnancy. I could completely relate to one of the women featured. I have to say again that I have some symptoms but overall feel pretty good. Think the antibiotics will be harder on me then what I was dealing with before them. Besides lyme/bart I have been in good health (have two little boys ages 3 and almost 2).
Posts: 376 | From New York | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
I just turned 30, became ill 3 years ago. Also have Endo. But no problems with pregnancy, have had 2 unplanned but very welcome pregnancies in the past 4 years. It's actually the only time I felt decent in the past 3 years.
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I am 26, and used to be a professional runner and have always lived a very healthy lifestyle. I also have Celiac disease which was diagnosed after I was infected with Lyme (but didn't know it). I am 9 months into treatment.
Posts: 844 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2010
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quote:Originally posted by undiagnosed22: Skies...I am in the same boat as you. 29, just got married this past summer. I got sick about 3 weeks before my wedding and it put such a damper on everything. And, like you, plans for family and everything else fun that I had planned for first year of marriage is put on hold indefinitely now until I get better...
Undiagnosed22--I'm really sorry to hear that. I got sick a little over a month before my wedding (although I hadn't been feeling "right" for months before that)..I am sad that I couldn't really enjoy such a special day, I was just going through the motions for the guests. Anyway, I wish you the best and hope that treatment goes well for you. You are certainly not alone.
-------------------- "The simple things can get you through the hardest times." Posts: 628 | From Connecticut | Registered: Sep 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
Diagnosed with "chronic reactive arthritis" at 23.
In and out of hospitals with strange diagnoses for the last 17+ years.
I turned 40 last November. At least I know what's wrong with me.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Thanks, skies. Best wishes to you too, we need to get better and enjoy life as newlyweds!!!
Posts: 200 | From Boston | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
I'll be 40 in May. Have had Lyme for 21 years tho still waiting for a definitive diagnosis/treatment.
Hopeforhealth-Me too. I have Endo, and have had 3 kids, and pregnancy was the only time I seemed to be symptom free and feel great.
Posts: 3 | From Montana | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Barrelkat, do you mean that your lyme symptoms went inot remission while you were pregnant?!!
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
I agree with hopeforhealth and BarrelKat-- when I was pregnant, I felt GREAT!
I have been taking grapeseed extract every day (since I found it) for what was diagnosed as arthritis at 23 years old...
When I was pregnant... no pain, no grapeseed extract!
And look at how sick my son is!
I heard the owner of the Thriiive.com website (autism, lyme) say jokingly, "If you want to detox, have a baby..." 2/3 of your toxin load goes to your first born.
That's why most people with chronic infections feel great when pregnant. Also why they must be on abx to protect the baby!!
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
38, possibly bitten in 2005 got really sick in 2009 at 36.....hashimotos......
-------------------- Oct 09 Positive CDC Western Blot Jan 10 Positive Babesia Duncani Jan 10 Cd57 28 Mar 10 EBV, IgM, IgG HHV-6 IgG Posts: 739 | From NC | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Turned 40 last Sept. and have been sick since I was a kid.
I felt better BEFORE I had my kids. Pregnancy really brought it all out for me and I felt awful while pregnant.
Posts: 581 | From CT | Registered: May 2008
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posted
also, this remission may be due to hormonal changes, not necessarily toxins going to the baby.. that's why I asked about our age, as after 40, hormonal chnages may play a role into reaching remission... Momlyme, hw old is your son? Did you notice he was sick since he was born?
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
He's twelve. I was 28 when I got pregnant. I had "chronic arthritis" since I was 23. It was post dog bite and post 16 amalgam fillings.
When I was 25 I stopped taking pain killers and arthritis medicine and started taking grapeseed extract to keep the pain at bay.
He has had the white spots on his fingernails ever since I can remember. (HPU)
He didn't talk until he was 2 1/2... although we knew he was very intelligent. OCD issues since he was born... texture issues. Hated sandboxes and dirt. Would never finger paint or play with clay.
Some of that, as I look back was very autistic-like. He did not get sick with Lyme Disease until he was 11. He got bit by a tick when he was 10... maybe again when he was 11. I don't know. I never saw either tick. Didn't find out about the tick bite when he was 10 until he was 4 months into LD treatment.
He got a T-Dap booster that they screwed up and had to give it to him twice. Immediately after, he went to science/math camp for two weeks, stayed at a college dorm. Got nosebleeds a lot at camp, which had never been a problem.
He came home and was sick with what I thought was the flu.
Things went really down hill when the amoxy didn't work in the 28 day period so the doctor gave him prednisone for "normal gout." That was when I found out about the controversy. Wish I never had him take that prednisone, but I trusted the doctor.
I know I gave my son the mercury. We have found him to be very toxic in mercury. Did I give him Lyme? I don't know if I even have lyme disease. I do have recurring Mycoplasma Pneumonia and he tests positive for that.
I believe we give our children more than our DNA.
I will never be a good test subject to whether hormones at 40 will change our health. I just turned 40 and I had my amalgams out. I believe that will change my health for the better.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
hum, very interesting... thanks ladies! it seems most of us are in their 30's which is also statistically the age at which "auto immune" conditions are diagnosed. I really wonder how it goes for those of us who have been diagnosed after 40 years old... Again, I am just searching for answers regarding hormonal implications in lyme and in auto immune conditions...
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
I'm 33. Diagnosed 3 years ago. Have had LD for at least 21 years undiagnosed.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
Oh..and I also had a complete hysterectomy at the age of 29 for Endometriosis that had practically taken control of my internal organs.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
I'm 35 but became ill about a month before my 26th birthday.
-------------------- Sick since 10/2001. Tested CDC positive for Lyme 10/2008 through Quest and Igenex. Started treatment 1/2009 with LLMD. Lyme, Erichilosis, Chlamydophila Pneumoniae, Q Fever, Strep Syndrome and probably a few others I am forgetting. Posts: 451 | From Virginia | Registered: Feb 2009
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