Last week my Naturopath suggested taking the Lyme test over again with the "bowen test". It came back positive for the Lyme bug (negative for the two parasites asscociated with it). The dilution was the highest it can be (don't remember the number).

So of course, now I'm rethinking everything... I'm hoping someone can help me here.

Is it possible that my "RA" could be Lyme disease?? I never had the rash, but I guess that doesn't mean anything. I do remember getting a bad flu-like like thing around the time the other symptoms started (I couldn't get close enough to the wood stove to get warm!) I also have digestive problems - IBS like problems. I have terrible recall - can't remember names or things and a very poor memory in general, and I say words backwards. That's pretty much all the Lyme symptoms I have (thought this might help) I also have a rash on my hip that I've had for years - not sure if this is related or not (it's not a bulls eye).

How does one make a Lyme diagnosis? Are there other things to look at besides the presence of the bacteria?

Can lyme disease cause blood work to look like RA - as far as immune system responses (c-reactive protein, sed rate, RF factor)?

I had a baby in September (she was born premature with a bacterial infection in her blood -hmmm) I'm still nursing - has anyone out there treated lyme while nursing?

Sorry for all the questions (maybe these should be separate threads). There's lots more, but I'll try to do some homework first.

If anyone can help me, I will appreciate it tremendously.

Sorry for my unintelligible mess from before!

Your story is similar to mine. I became very ill in 1993, with most of the symptoms you describe. Because my bloodwork for RA didn't fit, it wasn't till 2002 that they were beginning to talk about seronegative RA for me.

I was diagnosed with IBS, fibromyalgia, CFIDS, and a host of other things. Finally in 2003 I was tested for Lyme disease and came back very positive.

I never saw a tick or had a rash either. This actually happens fairly often, resulting in folks like you and me who have long term, untreated infections.

Some Lyme folks do have elevated bloodwork for RA, so that does not disqualify you. In fact, many RA people are having good luck taking antibiotics long term, per the Road Back protocol. I suspect many of them may have Lyme infections, though some have mycoplasma.

I'm sorry to hear about your baby's troubles. It has been proven that Lyme can be transmitted congenitally, so it is possible that she has Lyme.

There is an excellent pediatric Lyme doctor that I suggest you contact. He has given permission to post his name on this board. (We don't usually post doctors names on the board.)

Dr Charles Ray Jones
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203 - 772 - 1123
FAX: 1 - 203 - 772 - 0682

You can call and get some advice, and he will often consult with a local doctor.

You should know that some people have found it possible to pass Lyme to your child through breastfeeding, and it is not usually recommended. If you do a search on the board you will find discussions on it.

Here are a couple of links to information on Lyme tranmitted in breastmilk, as well as the possibility that it is sexually transmitted.

Sexual Transmission of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease in Breast Milk

Lyme: A Lover's Disease, Eli Mordecai Ph.D

I recommend that you find a Lyme Literate Doctor to treat you. Lyme is not a well understood illness, and you want someone with experience, and success in treating their pateints.

International Lyme and Associated Disease Society

Dr. Joseph J. Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines

If Bowen labs says you have lyme I would go with that. They are very accurate. The diagnosis ican be clinical especially if blood work is negitive.

Oh- Welcome to lymenet. There are wonderful articles to read here aboit lyme, it's treatment and co-infections.

Here's a link for new members:

Tincup's links for new members
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009342.html

Welcome to the board.

I never tested positive for RA, but I did probably go 17 years before being diagnosed with Lyme. So that part of it is possible.