I live in northern California, Sonoma County to be exact. However, for the last two weeks I have been in southern California (Riverside County) with my grandfather. He's a local land developer and I'm pulling some weeds on his various properties to earn some extra cash for the summer.
Several days ago I began to experience muscle twitches. They seem to occur exclusively at rest, and can range from either a slight thumping in my shoulder to a contraction that causes my whole leg to move. I won't say I'm exactly achey or weak aside from what I would expect from the hard work, but the twitches are a concern. I've done a great deal of research on Lyme Disease and the various causes of muscle twitches, and I still can't say for sure what's going on. I hadn't even thought of LD until I posted about my twitches in another medical forum and someone brought it up. Naturally, now I'm freaked out.
Riverside County is an exceedingly dry region. I have heard that the odds of contracting Lyme Disease here are very slim. Still, I would appreciate any wisdom that can be offered, or perhaps potential alternatives to LD. I also recently stopped taking a Calcium/Magnesium supplement, if that sounds like it could be related (I hear magnesium could potentially affect muscle movement).
The good news is that I don't have any classic LD symptoms (the rash, flu-like symptoms, etc.) Aside from some fatigue, which, again, is expected here. But I also have read sources today suggesting the rash occurs anywhere from 30%-90% of cases, so I guess its absence is not too indicative of anything.
I'm only here until the 14th and then I'm going home. I'm just afraid that I've somehow contracted LD without knowing it or will contract it before this is all over.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 6 | From California | Registered: Jul 2006
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Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064
posted
No rash and no tick bite remembered are not rare here.
You were pulling weeds for a while, you had the chance to contract Lyme.
If I were you, I'd start taking Doxy at 2x200mg per day while seeking the answer.
Good luck
Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006
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lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Hey don't worry about a thing....
MOST of us were infected in area's of the U.S. that were denoted as non-endemic regions ALSO.
Heck, you might not have lyme at all...
You might have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which will kill you before you have time to worry about lyme disease.
I sure hope you get my sarcasm...zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Actually, I had heard that the rate of Lyme in California has been growing. But then other sources say it's still rare to contract it outside of a small patch in northern CA.
Posts: 6 | From California | Registered: Jul 2006
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Why don't you go back on the calcium/magnesium and see what happens. I would err on the side of caution myself.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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riversinger
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4851
posted
From what you describe, I can't say whether you might have Lyme disease. However, I CAN tell you that is is NOT rare in California, including Riverside county.
If you are out in the weeds, there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Wear light colored clothing with long sleeves and pants. Tuck your pants into your socks. Use deet on exposed skin, and permethrins on clothing.
Most important, check your entire body for ticks every day!!!!! The longer they are attached, the more likely they will transmit Lyme and other illnesses. Ticks in CA also transmit Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. In some areas, Ehrlichia is more common than Lyme.
Remember ticks can be the size of a poppyseed. These are the most dangerous, as they have the highest infection rate. They are also extremely hard to see. If you find a tick, remove it carefully by using tweezers, grasping close to your skin and pulling straight out. Do not squeeze the tick!
Good luck. If things don't improve, contact me for the name of doctors in Marin and Sonoma.
posted
I would have sent my newbie list to you by PM, private message, but you have NOT ALLOWED PMs. I do suggest you change MY PROFILE to allow PMs since we do NOT list drs. names publicly.
Also when you are in MY PROFILE, please remove your date of birth; it's no one's business and for ID security reasons ok. Welcome to this 24/7 LYME support group board!
Before I forget about it, all PM, private messages go to YOUR HOME email address.. If you want to keep info, file it in your HOME FILE FOLDERS. Lymenet PM allows 60 notes only & they add up fast; so delete them promptly from lymenet folder.
Make sure on ``MY PROFILE'' you edit it to show you ALLOW PMs so folks can send you a private email vs. On public board. Also change the viewing notes to VIEW ALL NOTES vs. 30-60 days only. Very helpful when you do searches on specific topics.
Here's TREEPATROL's and Tincup's combination newbie links.
Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this.
print & read Dr. Burrascono's 2005 info first; you will come back to this often.
Extensive info in Treepatrol''s newbie links about the meaning of WESTERN BLOT IGM/IGG test results from Igenex! Be sure to read or print this info IF Igenex tested you ok!
Also, see Cheryl''s extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful! Read the area on CO-INFECTIONS! You could have from 1-10 other illnesses that tick is carrying...lyme, malaria, etc.
If you are showing symptoms of co-infections, I would like to suggest being tested for co-infections when you have LYME western blots done. It isn''t cheap!! But if you are positive, you can treat the co-infections first, and then work on LYME symptoms.
EYE SENSITIVIES & NOIR, no infrared sunglasses info., 2-28-06 updated YES, I have what you have! Are you on doxy too? That made my extreme eyes
200% MORE sensitive than they we were earlier. I learned a lot about eye sensitivity/lighting on www.marshallprotocol.com board.
Look for AUSSIE BARB'S EAST FINDER and then eyes/sunglasses, etc. Wealth of info there.
mention you have lyme and marshall protocol, they will give you 20% off! I'm NOT on MProtocol, but mention it anyway. I was on their new board almost 12 months!
Also they have been kind enough to replace the SCRATCHED LENSES & BROKEN BOWS! How's that for service?
I don't drive often at night, but I can wear NOIR's 901 lenses at night while driving; it creates soft candle lights coming at me...tolerable. NOT to wear in town with all the action of people crossing where they shouldn't be, etc.
Also if you get a SUPER WIDE post, go to the BOTTOM of the screen. Look to the left hand side and chose PRINT FRIENDLY VIEW or it's worded something like this ... on the same line as GO TO ______ section ...medical or general, etc. Carol in PA passed this along to me. I use it daily now
from LOU to Betty on LONG web links and Thank You Lou!: "If you hit the return key in the middle of a link, I don't think it will be clickable anymore. An alternative that maybe Betty should be telling people about is the tiny url website. I have it on my tool bar at the top of the page and use it for those incredablylongwebsiteaddresses.
All you have to do is ask tiny url to produce a short version, which it will do with a unique address, which you then use instead in your post. Works just the same when clicked! Here is the website, spread the word! http://tinyurl.com/
3-1-06, fyi, I tried dragging tinyurl to my toolbar without success, so that''s why I currently have LONG addresses vs. short tiny ones! I''ll keep trying.
RASH ITCHES -- use ``rubbing alcohol`` on it especially the corners good. Hubby suggested; worked great for me; rash cleared up in 2 days vs. weeks/month
1. How many doctors did you have to see before being properly diagnosed? 112 responses Average number of doctors consulted before being diagnosed - 14 Answers ranged from 1- 120 different doctors
2. Have you had problems getting insurance to pay for doctors or treatment? 87 responses? Yes- 63 No- 24
3. Have you lost income because of Lyme disease? 106 responses Yes- 99 No- 7
4. How much does it cost you (average) per month for Lyme related expenses? 61 responded Average cost per month per patient- $4,472.49 Low- $500.00 High- $21,492.00
5. How many different medications do you take per day? 77 responded Average - 14 different medications per day Low- 3 High- 25
Here is what I post for all on SSDI/SSI/LTD... I tried the link of the female MD ``template''; you are right; it's no longer good!
2 alternatives: use what I provide below as guidance since you have LYME disease and not filing for chronic fatigue.
OR go to the bad web site, click on REFRESH, and go to that site! Ask Mary, web owner, the question since she posted this on disinissues; SHE started that site! It was her close friend who okd to post her info for others. Betty Gordon
TRYING TO GET SSDI, SS DISABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS OR LTD:
Hi! I know what you mean about memory & typing, etc....it's the pits!
I do suggest you join the FREE DISINISSUES and read thoroughly or just print it all off of the FEMALE MD with chronic fatigue, etc. she gives wonderful, detailed examples that DDS, disability reps, want to approve/deny you.
Also have you looked thru the ADULT APPROVED LIST OF IMPAIRMENTS? That's critical also!
note 1.04; look at the rest of the 14 other specific areas too....
I printed off 1-14 sections showing what brief guidelines were for each section. I used that against ALL my medical reocrds, 3" thick!! Then I went to their DETAILED specifics for the sections that applied to my illnesses!
TIMECONSUMING....TOOK ALL 7 WEEKS from my notice of my ALJ hearing date!
So you have NOT submitted your INITIAL APP TO SS OFFICE, correct? Good, you want this to be as complete as possible so they can NOT turn you down on the 1st step as they do us all!!
\============================================= What I did with an online friend was this: prepared a chart noting the specific section of 1 - 14 that my diagnosed illnesses showed the wording, dr. seen & date.
Example, 14.09 LYME disease is mentioned in but doesn't give any examples. So I showed 14.09 with my drs. name & date plus specific details about each visit where lyme symptoms were stated..
I hope you have a copy of ALL MEDICAL REPORTS...drs., xrays, all blood labs, etc. It's critical that you KEEP A COPY FOR YOURSELF! ========================================
On mine, I showed the date mailed to ALJ & LAWYER PLUS I kept a copy. Then I went to copy center nearby & copied and mailed promptly to lawyer per his request.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
if you have an ALJ hearing, request thru your local SS office to REVIEW your complete SSDI app at THEIR local office!
When you see things you submitted with your writing on, don't look at them!
Look & read only the secretative ``RFC & MFC'' done by the the in-staff DDS DRS & PSYCHOOGISTS!
You want to make copies of ALL the stuff they have & other stuff you don't have so you can use that info against them!
NOTE: I'D DO THIS DIFFERENTLY NOW!
SEND 1 COPY TO ALJ and 1 to your lawyer!
Lawyer did NOT SEND MY REPORTS TO DDS STAFF PROMPTLY;
they didn't see many things when they denied me although I had good medical info!
Examples, 2 RFC, residual function capacity done by PCP dr. of 26 yrs. & rheumatologist;
plus 2 MFC, mental function capacity, done by psychiatrist & psychologist....the 1st person was the one judge used in APPROVING my 2nd claim for severe depression/effective disorder & anxiety.
ALJ's don't like working with LYME, FIBRO, CHRONIC FATIGUE. MENTAL is on approved list of adult approved impairment list! So don't fight it, go with it!
============================================ This message is sent upon subscription, and again monthly.
There are many more links, as well as advice and "useful" messages in the Files area of the website. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Disinissues and click on Files.
The website provides compilations of several areas of interest which are commonly requested and mentioned. They reflect the collected wisdom of this group. Check them out - you just might find the information you were looking for! Take a look at Files that are not specific to your situation, because they might be helpful anyway - what works for Social Security may work for LTD claims, what applies to CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome, may apply to your medical condition.
The Welcome Message and Group Guidelines are in the Files section, if you need a refresher on how this group works.
You must register with Yahoo to use the website, but note: Be careful not to permit your address to be put into the directory when you register. Put as little as possible into your public profile. You do not need a Yahoo address to use the website. Your email address is what Yahoo calls your "alternate address."
Please let the moderators know if any links have changed.
Contact the moderators at [email protected] or for AOL subscribers: Click here
BETTY NOTE: Look at the female MD''s DETAILED BACKGROUND right below this paragraph. Print off her detailed responses as to why she could NOT do her job, and then apply that to YOUR own job as to why you no longer can do any type of sustainable work now nor in the foreseeable future! NO LONGER GOOD 5-17-06: http://www.cfids-me.org/socsec.html ************************************* An online friend of mine from disinissues web site posted this info today, so I have copied it over here.
Subject: fibro/CFS disability info [Disinissues] what does an Functional Capacity Exam entail?
Lyme, fibro, & CFS support group members who are/will be filing for SS Disability insurance benefits, please go to the web page shown below.
There were 9 pages of info I printed below area where you can order from fibro network a 70 page packet.
I too plan on including this info when I send my FINAL packet of info to chief ALJ before my June 16, 2005 hearing...my last chance! =======================================
Please read the site mentioned on: WHY DISABILITY TESTING FOR FMS IS OFTEN MISLEADING ADVICE FOR FM/CFS PATIENTS AND THEIR DISABILITY TEAM.....
Also after this article are the following articles:
WHAT COULD BE CAUSING DELAYED-PHASE FLARES?
BENNETT'S METHOD FOR ASSESSING FUNCTION IN FMS..
TECTONIC CHANGES IN DISABILITY LAW by lawyer Joshua Potter, CALIF.
MEDICALLY DETERMINABLE IMPAIRMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR CFS & FMS
DOCUMENTIONATION...VIEW IT AS AN INSURANCE POLICY
I printed this out in larger print for my eyes....9 pages! Will read it thoroughly and mark up 2nd copy to go to ALJudge for my 2nd hearing as medical evidence also.... ********************************* Lymeneter Kay found this list of symptoms at http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/symptoms.php It says it all:
Tick Borne Disease - Symptom A to Z Lyme Disease is systemic, it can effect the whole body. This page lists the possible symptoms.
posted
Your symptoms sound like a potassium deficiency to me. I lived in Southern Cal many years. When you work in the dry heat you sweat a lot but don't notice it.
Low potassium will cause muscle cramps, twitching and mental confusion. Drink Gatoraide. Water will make you sick in high temps. Gatoraide replaces the minerals you loose from sweating...
Also, watch your diet. You need natural fats to keep the immune system strong and for muscle power. Beware of soft drinks, diet foods, and lowfat diets....
Dr. Mercola's latest newsletter warns of the danger of vegetable oils and the transfats they carry, most are 100% transfats...
Recommends replacing all cooking oils with coconut and olive oils. Bacon fat is good if you have it.
Tj
Posts: 192 | From Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Apr 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Tj33: Low potassium will cause muscle cramps, twitching and mental confusion. Drink Gatoraide. Water will make you sick in high temps. Gatoraide replaces the minerals you loose from sweating...
Could be.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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One of my first symptoms was twitching. Please don't write Lyme off.
At least take a test. The only problem is the antibodies of Lyme don't usually show up on a test for it to become positive for 6-8 weeks after exposure.
At least monitor yourself for a while and if things don't improve or get worse take the test. I am not a doctor of course, this is just my opinion or advice.
Let us know what happens!
Good Luck! Hope
-------------------- HopeandMe Posts: 61 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I am in Southern California. A friend of mine in Riverside County has a daughter who contracted Lyme Disease there while camping.
I contracted it in San Diego, in a residential neighborhood while feeding a cat. And like posted earlier, most doctors believe that Lyme Disease is not an issue in Southern California, but I have since met and networked with dozens and dozens of Southern California Lyme patients.
I, like many Lyme patients, have the muscle twitching and uncontrollable body jerks (known as myoclonic jerking).
I never had the initial flu-like symptoms. Mine started with muscle weakness and a multitude of nerve/neurological problems.
As stated before, do not write off Lyme. The earlier the treatment, the better your prognosis.
Feel free to visit the California Lyme Disease Associate (CALDA) yahoo group at CaliforniaLyme on yahoo. There are many of us who can help you find a California Lyme doctor.
Take care, Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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