posted
I went to the doctor with what I thought was strep throat about 10 days ago. I tested negative for Strep so I figured I just had a virus. A week went by and I still did not feel well. I went back to the doctor and he has done a lyme test among other things. I live in a part of New Jersey my doctor says is a major hot spot. A day does not go by that I do not see deer. (as a matter of fact one came through my drivers window while I was driving earlier this year). I have found ticks on myself but never got the famous rash. My doc says that you could have Lymes and never get the rash and never test positive. So how do you know? I only have mild symptoms compared to what I have read here (after reading some of these posts I feel pretty fornuate). Anyway my symptoms are neck pain, sore throat and fatigue. I have had headaches that have come and gone. I feel terrible most of the time but do have a few hours of feeling pretty good. The part my doc is having a tough time with is I have not had a fever at all and I really haven't had the chills and flu like body aches. Has anyone else tested positive for lymes without running a fever or having the flu like symptoms? I know I have rambled on here but I can not sleep so I figured I would reach out to try to answer my questions.
Posts: 11 | From New Jersey | Registered: Aug 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey there sleepless in New Jersey!
Welcome to Lyme Net! Glad you decided to post. There are lots of folks here with LOTS of great information.
However... I am not one of them.
Not tonight anyhow.
Unlike you... I CAN sleep... and I am too tired to make much sense at the moment... so the best place for me is IN the bed...
Just wanted to say "hey" and let you know we do care.
The early birds will come by tomorrow and be happy to help you... and maybe there is even a west coaster out there tonight looking for someone to help.
If you want to do a bit of reading...
Try this site below.
No matter what the cause of you not feeling so great right now...
posted
Sounds a lot like me. No rash...didn't feel all that bad, no fever, infact I use to run a below normal fever about 96, had two negative tests...blah, blah. I finally after about 10 months got a positive test. Find a LLMD, that's a doctor who know about Lyme and how to treat it. If you don't you probably won't get adequate treatment. Go here... http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=2&SUBMIT=Go
...and post for a doctor in your area. Some one will lead you to a good one. Don't screw around with this! The longer you wait the longer and I mean the LONGER it will take to get healthy. Good luck.
posted
WOW...certainly sounds like Lyme disease to me, especially with all your bites. You dont need to get a rash, most people dont. Check out my website links and READ READ READ....email me if you have any questions.
posted
I just talked to the doctor and he said all my tests are negative including Lyme. However, he is going to start me on Doxy because he thinks Lyme is possible.
From what I read here I feel fortunate to have the doctor that I have. He brought Lyme to the table right away and does not mess around. He has also had Lyme.
Thanks for all your quick responses.
Posts: 11 | From New Jersey | Registered: Aug 2004
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
He had lyme and you MUST get fever and chills with it?
I hope he prescribed you more than 30 days of abx. Its not a one size fits all disease.
LymE is not the only thing that can be passed on from a tick either. There are coinfections, and no doxycycline is going to cure those.
I would still get a LLMD for your Lymes.
Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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A fellow Jersey girl here - transplanted to Tenn. First of all let me give kudo's to your Dr for putting Lyme right out there - so start w/ him to get going, BUT still seek an LLMD - many times it takes some time to get 1st appt. I must say many of us wish we had a dr that had done that!
Your right, however, about not being as bad as most on this board - many of us were not diagnosed for a very long time, and that's why we are so sick. If you follow the advice here,you will never get that bad.
Spend all the sleepless nights checking out all the links & info & research, and ask any questions here - you will learn much.
Lishs mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2344
posted
Hi lil pup,
My daughter was very sick with lyme. We didnt know it for 8 years. During that time, I too was sick, but I was "mild" compared to her.
Just achy, slowing down, etc. Mostly neck stiffness, tingly hands occationally, and headache. (they thought I had MS).
I turned out to have lyme. I too thought that a two to three week course of doxy was great, but found out quickly that because this bug changes forms, that I would need different antibiotics during my courses of treatment.
In fact a recent published article indicates that if you have had it a while (which you probably have) that you need several types of antibiotics to kill cyst forms.
Lil - Which part of NJ are you from? I'm in Freehold I've had Lyme for about 9-10 months now. I had the bite and didn't know what it was...ugh! I had ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS...including panic attacks and they are the worst. I've been on abx for almost two months now and I'm getting better...but slowly better. My family doc is treating me right now...he knows about lyme and I feel confident with staying with him for the time being. I never tested positive...but I know I have it...again, I had the bite. I know I'll be on meds for a long time...but as long as I keep getting better...that's all that matters.
I have had Lyme many years myself. I'm currently taking Rocephin IV for the past 12 weeks. I'm currently looking into the other drugs for the cyst form of this disease. My doctor doesn't believe there is such a thing?
If you're close to middlesex County, there is a large fair going on this week with a Lyme booth staffed with very knowledgable people.
It's on Cranbury road at the Fairgrounds. It runs all this week. I learned a lot!
Best of Luck!
Posts: 6 | From North Brunswick | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I live in Branchburg NJ. It is near Bridgewater, Readington and Flemington. Most people even in NJ have not heard of Branchburg. My husband and I relocated here a little over a year ago from Michigan.
I started taking Doxy today. My doctor wants me to call him Monday to give him an update and set up my next appointment.
I am going to do alot of reading this weekend so I appreciate all the links. Lishs mom I would love to see that article.
[This message has been edited by Lil Pup's Mom (edited 04 August 2004).]
Posts: 11 | From New Jersey | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Hi! Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. I too am a newcomer to this site and like you haven't received a definite + on my lyme tests, but I have found a LLMD in Flemington that is very good and he has been the only doctor who has taken me seriously.
Consider yourself fortunate for having such an educated general md-I live in the Clinton area and believe it or not, I'm having a hard time finding a general md who will even entertain the thought of lyme (surprising for one of the highest lyme disease areas in the country). Anyway, drop me an email if you'd like the name of the doctor and I hope you'll feel better soon!
KLS
Posts: 90 | From NJ USA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Hi Lishs mom, would you kindly send me the article you mentioned in your post? Thanks!
In fact a recent published article indicates that if you have had it a while (which you probably have) that you need several types of antibiotics to kill cyst forms.
posted
might want to re-do your western blot through IGeneX lab in Ca. They are one of the best! 800-832-3200. Good luck to you L For you non-sleepers I have tried so many combinations. My latest is clonazepam with Flexeril - of course - after ovulation it can still be a crap shoot! Sometimes add Percocet. night night....
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