posted
I am a 43 year old mother of 3 who was recently diagnosed. I don't know all the details of the test results but will get them today. To complicate matters, I have been treated for MRSA in my sinuses for over a year. I am a nursing student and have a sick hubby (who also was diagnosed with late stage Lyme a couple of years ago and trated with something parenterally). I always put myself last but things have gotten so bad, I had to find out what was wrong. I was in my 3rd semester-due to graduate in May-and after having a house fire, which really took away what concentration i had-my clinical instructor failed me after my last 2 days of clinical after the fire. She said I was a completely different student these last 2 days. DUH! Strange things had been happening to me for months-severe swelling in both ankles, achiness which is unbearable, severe headaches, I got lost one day on my way to clinicals, and, this tops it all-I wet the bed one night. I finally went to the doctor and got the diagnosis. I have also had TMJ for years and take Percocet on a regular basis for that. It had gotten to the point that I could barely get down the steps in the morning and had to wait for the Percocet to kick in before I could do anything. Right now, I'm taking mino 100 mg bid for the mrsa still, at least 60 mg of oxycodone a day-no, I'm not impaired, this is just to function-my pcp just added 100 mg doxy bid. NSAIDS tear my stomach up but I've been taking them anyway with Zantac. I still have ankle swelling, severe knee pain, headaches and these episodes every couple of months that are like encephalitis. HELP! I don't know here to start. Also, my concentration sucks, I cry all the time, I get the sweats and the shakes and I'm sure there is more. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 13 | From NE,MD USA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
WELCOME To LYMENET
Here's more goodys! A typical response to newcomers.
Hi and WELCOME! Get a LLMD or at least Dr that is willing to learn about lyme. Borrelia Burgdorferi is a clinical diagnosis, based on symptoms and on your response to treatment. Good Luck, bumpy road ahead.
( No you don't always see a bite and if there's no bullseye the only way your going to be able to tell is (symptoms) and (((Maybe))) WB or lyme dot blot 3 day urine banged with abx's to free your antigens up for the test. ) See this ( . )thats the size of the larva stage tick... Next nymph size... ( * ) Next is adult ( o ) to ( 0 ) Pretty small????? HUH
posted
Hi Becka, welcome to LymeNet. So sorry you & your hubby are having such a rough time. We'll do everything we can to help you find the answers you need.
If the links treepatrol gave you don't cover everything, then just ask.
Print "Diag Hints & Treat Guidelines..." at www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html It's 32 pages of excellent info on LD & other Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs).
Dr B recommends that antibiotics be given for 1 month after all symptoms have disappeared. Some are now saying continue treatment until 2 or 3 months of no symptoms. This is a complicated bacteria to deal with.
Sounds as if your hubby is still sick. Do you know how much treatment he had for late stage Lyme a couple years ago? There's a good chance that he didn't receive adequate treatment and/or he has other TBDs like Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella.
Your symptoms sound like LD, but many of them could also be symptoms of TBDs, especially Babesiosis.
My recommendation would be for both of you to be evaluated by a Lyme Literate Med Dr (LLMD) - ASAP.
Go to "Seeking a Dr" here on LymeNet & put your location in the title. Info will be e-mailed to you. Info about drs is not given here unless they have given permission.
How long do you think you've had Lyme? How old are your children?
Again, welcome to the LymeNet Family. Ask as many questions as you need to.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Becka, Sorry to hear about the trials you are going through. I'm roughly in the same boat you are except I'm about two weeks ahead of you in the diagnosis. My final straw was taking a cab home from work a few weeks ago because I was too disoriented to drive.
I'm probably the last one on here that should be giving or offering advice, but it has helped me to sign on here almost every day and read other people's questions and answers. Even though I've never met anyone from here and probably never will, I feel a lot less "alone" now that I've found this community.
Please let us know how things progress.
Posts: 133 | From Rocheser, MN, USA | Registered: Dec 2004
| IP: Logged |
Kara Tyson
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 939
posted
I would pursue that "last 2 days" issue with all I had. Take it to the dean whatever you have to do.
I am a nursing student also. What an outrage! Especially because I have seen nursing students who obvously have a drinking problem continue.
I have been and it has helped. I now have an appt. with the doc who was treating me for the MRSA on the 27th. My pcp gave me the standard 100 mg doxy bid.
Kara,
You're probably right but I really feel I need the break right now. I'm too tired to fight. I have a sick husband-a gastric bypass disaster-and a 15 year old unstable bipolar daughter. Do you think I should still say something even though I could use the time off?
Posts: 13 | From NE,MD USA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Becka, Hello and sorry to hear about your situation. I also have been recently diagnosed and started my antibiotic therapy about 2 weeks ago.
I understand how you feel. It is so overwhelming..and not a simple situation. There are very helpful people here, caring and compassionate.
I have spent the last week reading everything I can about this, however I can only tell people what I see in my mother's progress.(she has also been diagnosed with LD and co-infections)
About 3 months ago she was diagnosed with ALS, before that it was MS for 20 years. After watching her choke while she ate, not being able to walk, not speaking properly (she just turned 50 yrs old in Sept.) my sister and I decided that we should start talking about 'the end of days' issues for her.
We both had the 'feeling' just by looking at her that she would not be here for long. I am in nursing (palliative care) so I have seen this before.
She found a Dr. who started treatment and although she is not 'cured', she is soooo much better. She is alive and happy. Walking and talking are better.
Although there is much contraversy in this take what you can from the info. I wish you and yours all the best. Take care.
[This message has been edited by Sweetrhapsody (edited 04 January 2005).]
Posts: 26 | From Langley, BC, Canada | Registered: Dec 2004
| IP: Logged |
So sorry to hear of your symptoms but rest assured............it is normal with lyme disease and herxheimer reactions to antibiotics. The toxins make symptoms worse as the bacteria die.
Aword od concern regarding your daughter.......PLEASE have your daughter tested tru IGENEX LABS for Lyme Disease and all co-infections ESPECIALLY Bartonella.
Bartonella can go straight to the brain and cause symptoms of bi polar disorder. Did you notice that your daughter got worse symptoms a few days before Christmas??Combative, over emotional, very easy to upset?? My daughter. also 15 called me names I never realized she knew.Ran outsie screaming hiw she hatedme. Thenext dayshe was a sweetangel again.
The full moon affects lyme disease patients and the co-infenction Bartonella will be worse prior to the full moon or menses asthat is when the Bb bacteria muliply. Once a month, Bb multiply as this is a slow growing bacteria and also why it takes an average of 4 years to treat lyme disease that was not immediately discovered and treated.
You all will have a LONG and Bumpy road to recovery. First you need a LLMD and proper Lyme Testing and Co infection testing thru Igenex or MDL Labs.
NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Hi Becka, I'm new here as well. Couldn't meet a nicer and more helpful group of folks. Believe me, some of these folks make the doctors look like beginners when it comes to this disease. They've seen it all.
I spent a good week just reading, and studying all the info these wonderful people put out. It's helped me immensely in getting adequate treatment, and knowledge for my lyme infected son. The LLMD is the most important step. Educating yourself is second. Good luck, and I'm new to this too, so I share your apprehension, but these folks sure make it a lot easier.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
When I find the right doc, I'm going to have everyone tested again. My daughter was the 1st and that was over 6 yrs ago, then my hubby 2 yrs ago and now me. My other kids have never been tested. We are in a high risk area.
Posts: 13 | From NE,MD USA | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic