Anyway, maybe I can get more info about the negetive test question. Here is my original?

I think I have Lyme although IgG/M BA screen (is this the Elisa?) was neg.
2 ?'s - 1 how do you get diagnosed for Lyme when test is neg and are there any good LLMD Near Milwaukee WI - can't believe the 2nd highest area for Lyme doesn't have one?!?

Have seen GP, Nuero all say I am depressed, anxiety carpel tunnel, don't know. Hyperthyroid by .01 over scale - big deal. Didn't know knees could burn when your depressed!

I was a healthy 38 year old mom of 3 (2, 7, 13)boys 6 months ago. Fall 04

Now have hard time getting up in morning, chills, sweats, palpitations, neck aches with burning, chronic conjunctivitis, worst symptoms are my knees feel like i am 98 not 38. They burn sometimes from thigh to toes. Heart feels funny like it's being squeezed, left arm feels like it's getting squeezed, fatigue although sleep sometimes 10 hours. can't walk up stairs without getting out of breath. Flu like all the time. Can't think straight - or remember things, dyslexic.

sick for about 6 months - please help, don't want this to go on for years, have read too many tragic stories. Sorry to go on but thanks for letting me vent frustrations, sadness.

If you find a LLMD, you will not have to worry about your negative testing. You do not need a postive to be treated for lyme. It is a clinical diagnosis and LLMD's are smart enough to know this. You could

waive a bright red positive in a non LLMD- MD's face and they would still laugh at you or hand you a script for Paxil.

Please make an appoitnment with a LLMD and get on the road to treating this.

I am not sure what that test is that you have had done.

Have Monday (can't believe quick)appt w/LLMD thanks to Ann of Ohio.

I think you'll be really glad you have made the move to an LLMD. And I have read so many posts here from people in Wisconsin; I get the impression that the Lyme probelm there is almost as bad as here in the northeast.

1-I tested neg twice with the lyme screening test, bad test,high false neg rate

2-Get a Lyme western blot blood test, you local doc can order it, and ask for a copy of your test result, politely insist on it

3-The following bands on a western blot are specific for Lyme-any ONE indicates exposure- 18, 23, 31, 34 37, 39, 83, 93 Pay no attention to the lab's interpretation of the test as pos or neg

4-go to support groups at the left and find some close to you and call/contact them and ask for dr recommendations

5- make an appt with an LLMD ASAP

6-Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day is often a good starting antibiotic protocol for Lyme, it can cause sun sensitivity

7- Get tested by the LLMD for co-infections including Babesia

8- My knees hurt a lot too. I buy wrap around freezer packs at CVS, helps me with the pain

9-You're not alone-we're here to help

I also was infected with Lyme in Wisconsin. I share some of the same symptoms. The burning is very familiar, and I find that when it's in my legs and feet, a warm bath/foot bath seems to help. I use hot neck wraps for the neck pain, and that usually helps the pain a lot too.

Best of luck at your LLMD appt!

quote:

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Originally posted by cafe67:
Julie, it's sickeningly reassuring to hear you had/have the same symptoms! Sorry you went through same! Glad you are here with me though! Wisconsin "reports" as the 5th highest state for Lyme according to the CDC.

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We announce birthdays over there, so when your month comes along, be sure to let me know! You can also check periodically and add your birthday greetings to those who are celebrating a birthday. There's one there now!

Be sure to let us know how your appointment goes next week!

Rose's 15 Facts for Newcomers http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/011977.html

Abbreviations for Lyme-speak
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/020494.html

Making the most of your LLMD visit
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/020605.html

The Wisconsin Dells and the surrounding area straight north and then over to the Twin Cities...is THE hot spot for Lyme....and I mean THE hot spot for Lyme in the US.

I saw a test that was done on ticks in endemic areas...and the Dells was at the TOP almost 75% of the ticks carried Lyme.

Scary.............

It's kiddie heaven, and a great time can be had by all. The surrounding area is infested with ticks, as is northern Wisconsin. The northern part where I live has huge tracts of forest and thousands of lakes, but sparsely populated by the natives. However, half of Chicago is up here in the summer, either enjoying their cottages, or vacationing.

That's why you'll see so many Chicagoans with lyme, they get it in Wisconsin. We have to pay for their damn toll roads when we go to Illinois, so we have our ticks bite them when they come up here

Combine the geography with the fact we're bordered by Lake Michigan on the east, and Lake Superior on the north, and it's prime breeding ground for ticks. Could be why we have a few more LLMD's here than other states as well.

Many medical professionals have had loved ones or themselves become infected with lyme, so they've done some research. Our local hospital checks stroke, alzheimers, etc. patients for lyme as a part of their normal procedures now, it's so endemic.

Truly a beautiful state, especially the northern half, but the ticks are thick as thieves up here.

I wanted to thank everyone for all their help! I am overwhelmed with info and support! feeling warm & fuzzy (oh, maybe Lyme?) You are my heroes!

Maybe the SE area of Wisc needs to be reevaluted for Lyme - we (family) would walk/picnic almost every weekend last fall at our local nature center (Waukesha County), Audobon center (N Lake MI) we have tons of bushy grassy areas by our house that they designate as "preserves". Just saw a deer last week running through.

Yes, I think I have caught my symptoms earlier than most. Thanks to Lymenet and all who have replied so speedily! If it hadn't been for a search on google for "burning knees" and Lyme popping up, which led me here, I would still be going to dr after dr. Thinking I am "just getting old", happens to "women your age", "anxiety", "depression".
"nothing wrong" "try this pill" "hyperthyroid" The neoro said "can't be Lyme, it starts in the hands and feet" Had just told him my first signs were my wrist burning after a bad flu.

I don't think it's my drs' fault too much, though. I'm sure they were following protocal for whatever gov reg is in place. They are just basically ignorant of facts. It seems they focus on one aspect of whatever's going on (heart palps - check heart, muscle weakness - check for MS, etc.) instead of taking a whole look at past and present and putting it together. If I could do it though, WHY COULDN'T MY DRS?