I was just diagnosed with Lyme Disease several days ago. I have an appointment with an infectious disease doctor at the end of the month. I am now taking tetrocycline for three weeks. I've been sick for over a year with fevers, neck pain, joint pain, rib pain, muscle pain, etc. I've had memory problems for a long time now too. I have been reading a lot over the past few days and I found this site today. Do these symptoms ever go away? Does anyone know if this will ever get better? Does the pain ever go away? I have seen so many doctors over the last year...most treated me for a neck injury, some told me there was nothing wrong with me, not knowing that it was Lyme. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. This diagnosis is new to me. Does anyone know what kind of tests the doctor will want to do? I know I have a lot of questions...I'm trying to eductate myself and prepare. Mostly, I just want to feel well again.
Thanks
Posts: 50 | From Virginia | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Did you get tested at INGENEX? www.igenex.com their test is more sensitive and they read more bands. I & others here haven't had much success with ID docs but you never know? Did you read the newbie links?Thet are very helpful. Good luck to you & keep researching for the truth. take care
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't know what blood test I had..I guess I should ask. All I know is that the levels were not supposed to go over 100 and mine were at 103, a positive for lyme disease. I don't know where the blood test was sent but it took one week to come back. I don't know much about the band test. I've been reading but this is all very confusing to me. Maybe the infectious disease doctor will give me the band test. I'm hoping that this doctor will be able to help me with my pain as well.
Posts: 50 | From Virginia | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Read newbie links
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi SK
Here is a Good thing you should do now
On the newbee page find Dr B --symptoms list-- Copy and paste the symptoms list into a new post--
On this post answer the questions asked-- Look at- Luke339 -post- --fill out the list like that--
At the bottom of your post give any details you can think of- How long sick- any symptoms not on the list that you have What other Docs have thought-
Rate the severily of symptoms 1-10
Give details of symptoms Like- only at night- pain in joints moves around - Tempature is always High- Low -- Ect-- Discribe any skin rash you have or had in detail--
Be complete -- but breef
Brake up long paragraphs into smaller sections Makes easy to read--
Posting this symptoms list will give people here a clearer picture of your situation-- Lots of knowlage on this site-
Doing this will save you Much valuable time---
Title your post My symptoms list-
Answer any questions asked by posters quickly and give any details--
If you dont know how to Copy and Paste the symptoms list write me and I will explain to you--
---Jay---
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
And if you haven't been lurking a while, you probably don't know that Infectious Disease docs usually test OR treat Lyme and co-infections correctly.
(A few IDs have turned out to be better, but a rule of thumb is do NOT let an ID doc manage your Lyme. Period.)
cave....I think you meant "Infectious Disease docs usually DO NOT test OR treat Lyme and co-infections correctly." [correct me if I'm wrong]
I agree that the rule of thumb should be Do not let an ID doc manage your Lyme. Period!! Since being on this board for the past 5 yrs, I've heard of maybe 2 ID docs who knew what they were doing when it came to Lyme.
here are some more links to read. Be informed, or your chances of beating this will go down.
posted
I am so sorry you have Lyme, the road is bumpy and I for one am totally against going to an ID DUCK, they have been the worst in our fight with this dreaded disease.
Not one of the 3 or 4 my daughter saw knew how to test for Lyme let alone treat it. One even tossed the information about IgeneX it took to him.
He also sent out a memo to the Lab in the hospital we had her blood drawn at to NEVER use IgeneX, it was a bogus Lab.
IMO, I would take myself or someon I cared about to a Vet that knows about Lyme before I would go to an ID DUCK!!
Sorry if I sound harsh, but after 14 years of misdiagnosis and Ducks that wouldn't listen my 25 year old daughter lost lots of her younger years.
Please find youself a good LLMD as close to you as you can. You can go to the Looking for LLMD section here, someone will be able to help you find one.
Good Luck
-------------------- ICEY Posts: 468 | From Las Vegas NV | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just have to share my one experience with an ID specialist at Lahey Clinic's mothership (just outside of Boston).
I went for a second opinion on my PCP's suggestion. She wasn't totally comfortable with the LLMD's prescriptions.
I had figured out that I had Lyme, extremely common in this area, after treating my 2 dogs and horse for it.
The ID told me that she wasn't sure what was wrong with me, but that it was just coincidence that I had improved dramatically on abx. I'd had 2 rounds of it (I relapsed after the initial 28 days)and am now on the 2nd round.
She also said that Babs was no problem. If you had a healthy spleen it would just take care of it.
This, at one of the most well thought of medical institutions anywhere!!!
Luckily, this was my only run-in with specialists.
Posts: 175 | From ma. | Registered: Aug 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!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic