Hi there. I am not really sure what the symptoms of late stage lyme are.

I feel that I have late stage lyme because I think that I have had this for years and didn't know it.

I have bad to severe numbness and pain from my hips down to my feet constantly. I have fatigue and I have the brain fog. There are other symptoms but those are the worst.

I would go to search and type in last stage lyme and see what you come up with.

All I know is that I feel so bad most of the time and I would love to be able to help someone.

Have you been diagnosed with lyme?

I am 41 and have felt bad for several years myself and finally the numbness came and I have been searching since then.

I had a Western Blot done and 9 out of the 10 that the CDC requires you to have before they acknowledge that you are a lyme case came back either positive or equivocal. I didn't have enough positive for the CDC to recognize it though.

I am trying so hard to get through this and I hope you find answers.

Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.

Take care.

The people here on LymeNet are willing to share what they've had to learn about Lyme & Co-Infections.

You are so right.....at 40, you shouldn't be feeling so bad!!

Unfortunately, Lyme & other Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) like Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, & Bartonella are very complex illnesses.
Symptoms are similar in all TBDs & they also imitate many other illnesses.

Far too often, drs mis-diagnose cases of Lyme as Fibro, Chronic Fatigue, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ADD, etc, etc, etc.

Tick-Borne Diseases, like Lyme, can affect any part of the body, can come & go, and move around.

For a detailed list of symptoms - http://www.ocean-beach.com/_tick/tick_lymesymp.htm ("underline" before & after tick)

For a Checklist of 38 symptoms - www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.htm
"Diagnostic Hints & Treatment Guidelines..."
It's 32 pages of excellent info.
Print a copy & highlight facts, write in the margins, underline, etc to make it easy to find specific facts again.

Symptom List - page 9
pages 4-5 & 20-24: Co-Infections (Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella)

Also, at www.ilads.org
print "Basic Info" - 3 pages of facts everyone should read.

Do you remember a tick bite?
Did you have a rash after the bite?
Did you have flu-like symptoms 3 yrs ago?

Have you taken antibiotics for anything like ear or sinus infection & noticed your symptoms changed...either better or worse?

I know I sound nosey, but more info would help people form opinions & make suggestions. Answers are strictly optional.

Read "Bartonella Alert". http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/008362.html

For reliable info on any aspect of TBDs
"Links for new LymeNet members" http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009342.html

I'm not a dr, but I highly recommend that you be evaluated by a Lyme Literate Med Dr (LLMD) - ASAP.
Almost all their patients have Lyme &/or Co-Infections, so they have a special insight into the problems of diagnosis & treatment.

Go to Seeking a Dr here on LymeNet & put your location in the title.
Drs' names are not given here unless they've given permission, but info will be e-mailed to you.

There is an outstanding LLMD in Springfield, MO. Read "What do you like about Dr C?" http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum3/HTML/004140.html

There are a couple good LLMDs in Texas, too.
(Not sure where you are in LA. Don't remember your home town & can't check it while typing my response.)

At the left, click Support Groups & check for your state & surrounding states.

Please ask as many questions as you need to. We'll do our best to help you get the medical care you need.

When I was first diagnosed, I was diagnosed with chronic lyme.

I was unable to stand for long periods of time (usually more than 3 minutes would force me to sit down).

I also had an irregular heartbeat, excrutiating pain in bones and joints. Brain fog was so bad that I couldn't concentrate on the TV or read for more than 10 minutes at a time. I suffered insomnia, fatigue, fibromyalgia, numbness, hives, several bulls eye rashes, depression, weight gain, headaches and mood swings.

I WAS A MESS!
There were many times when I couldn't think clearly and felt like a breathing sack of potatoes.

With my doctors help and a great support system, I made it through and am now an active member of society once more.

By the way, lyme causes fibromyalgia and not the other way around. Fibro is a symptom of several diseases, including Lyme.

Make sure you get an agressive treatment.... you'll be doing a lot better real soon. I promise! Take it from someone who has been given a second chance at life!