I posted recently in the "Finding a Doctor" section, but I also wanted to ask a really general, subjective question: How sick is sick enough to treat?
I ask because I have a ton of symptoms, but I'm still functioning at work and home. I'd say I'm impaired, but not debilitated.
Is it possible that I have Lyme, even if I suspect that it's been a long time (14 months) since potential exposure? Or would my illness have progressed more by now?
My ELISA came up negative (of course), but I plan to see a LLMD for a real evaluation. Of course, many of my symptoms could be attributed to something else entirely ... or could be old problems rearing their heads.
My background: Went on vacation to northern CA in 10/2010 and a little less than two months later, I had two bulls eye-like rashes: a cluster of three bites on my knee and one on my calf. One was biopsied and came back positive as an unspecified bug bite.
I assumed bed bugs and treated the house for them. The exterminator said we had a very mild infestation.
Shortly after the rashes appeared, I had a series of infections and antibiotic and steroid treatments: sinus infection (1/11, 2/11, 8/11); flu (2/11); cat bite infection (9/11). I also had several allergy work-ups -- both food and environmental -- and the consensus is that I don't have allergies (although I've been treated for them for 20+ years).
My main symptoms (in order of appearance) are/have been:
posted
I started out asking the same question not too long ago. I am also not disabled, but am still sick.
You have to pursue treatment...none of us may ever truly be Lyme-free again, but you should not be living with symptoms. It wont get better on its own, it will always come back.
sounds to me like you might have a few things going on.
I could be wrong but I think your sinus symptoms are separate from Lyme or co-infections. This is probably where the smell issues come from.
white patches in your mouth, fogginess, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue could be a candida infection, in other words, the antibiotics caused your system to be out of whack, and the yeast went crazy. Follow a low-carb, sugar-free, alcohol-free, yeast-free diet for a couple of weeks and see if you don't feel somewhat better.
the MRI findings, the word issues, fogginess, maybe the headache too (lyme headaches are at the back/base ofthehead) all look like Lyme to me.
rib pain can point to babesia.
foot pain can point to bartonella, I don't know about enlargement.
Those are my thoughts. Definitely seek out a LLMD, they will know how to really diagnose and treat you, but start out on the right foot with the adjusted diet, and get yourself on a good probiotic. Good luck!
Posts: 63 | From Catskills, NY | Registered: Mar 2012
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Hello and welcome to Lymenet! I'm sure many here will chime in. I just wanted to point out that many of yoru symptoms could be caused by yeast and fungi. Particularly because you mention sinus and clearly yeast issues in your mouth.
As a reformed sinus infection queen, I thought it my duty to send you the attached link (not that I'm a fan of the Mayo clinic)
Did they culture your mouth to determine that the white patches were lichen planus? And did you ditch your toothbrush and refrain from kissing while on antifungals to avoid reinfection?
My experience with sinus issues:
My ENT and Allergist were blown away by how miraculously my 'chronic sinusitis' (that they couldn't fix and threatened to do surgery for) dissappeared once my Lyme dr put me on large doses of antifungals (Diflucan) for a couple months. They both released me from their care a few months later. After just a few weeks, they were shaking their heads and told me to keep doing whatever I was doing.
Some of your other symptoms could be from Lyme or other tick borne infections. You ask 'how sick is sick enough to treat'? Well, if it is lyme or coinfections, this could get much worse, making work and life in general, pretty difficult, and each day a struggle just to get through.
Keep reading and learning.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
LAni...yup..all your symptoms can be lyme..and all can be mild. Not everyone "crashes."
Find an LLMD!
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
If you're still functioning, you could treat vitamin and mineral deficits that are causing some of the symptoms.
You can take supplements that reduce inflammation, and that will reduce a number of symptoms.
Too tired right now, I'll be back later with suggestions.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I tended to have mild symptoms for several months, then out of the blue everything just flared up like crazy and I went downhill fast.
This time it flared, I got an llmd and am hoping actually kick it this time, because the constant tiredness and achy joints wear one down, even if its 'not that bad', and the flares just knocked me down fast. I didn't want it to get any worse.
Good luck with your decision!
-------------------- Wendy Posts: 253 | From Near Albany, NY | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
My symptoms could also be called "mild" especially compared to my husband who became so debilitated. However, i know if i dont treat, it will only get worse.
It sounds like you are having some neurological symptoms, so you may want to go ahead and treat before they get more serious. The neuro symptoms can really interfere with functioning at work when they get bad.
Im sorry you are going through this!
-------------------- IgM ++41, IND 31, 34, 39, 83-93 IgG IND 41
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - unknown Posts: 72 | From NC | Registered: Sep 2011
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posted
Thanks to all of you for the great advice and kind words.
I have wondered about whether some of my symptoms were the result of a fungal infection for months now, but treatment (twice) didn't work. I'm seeing someone next week and will insist on a culture. (How none of the six docs I've seen for this problem have never suggested it before is beyond me ...)
Thanks again!
Posts: 118 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Apr 2012
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posted
And Julie: Thanks so much for the link and tips. My periodontist said he couldn't biopsy the suspected lichen planus because the patches "big enough."
I tossed the toothbrush but kept on kissing. I guess this means my husband will need to be treated for a fungal infection as well!
My new anti-fungal diet starts tomorrow.
Posts: 118 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Apr 2012
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posted
That is: the patches "weren't big enough."
Posts: 118 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Apr 2012
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Sinus problems seem to be common among people with Lyme. A chronic infection (like Lyme) causes elevated levels of fibrin in the blood, which causes hypercoagulation.
This hypercoagulation and the inflammation from the infection is related to sinus problems.
Serrapeptase, a systemic enzyme, reduces the inflammation and the fibrin, and helps the sinus issues clear.
You can find several brands of Serrapeptase at iHerb.com and look at the reviews.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Systemic enzymes reduce fibrin in the blood, which means the white blood cells can identify and phage bacteria easier.
There are a number of systemic enzyme blends that LLMD's use, including Wobenzym and Interfase.
I found out about an interesting protocol for Lyme that uses Wobenzym and cat's claw. The systemic enzymes reduce biofilm and the cat's claw stimulates the white blood cells to phage bacteria.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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