posted
Hello. Many people with lyme disease have reported unusual and disturbed visual symptoms such as constant, 24/7 "visual snow", intense after-images, and eye floaters. Anyway, I have all of these symptoms, but I don't feel really weak, have joint pain, or have other serious problems that are symptoms attributed to lyme disease. Anyway, can anyone tell me, if it is possible to have lyme disease and to have only visual symptoms and no other symptoms? I don't think it is likely that I have lyme disease, but sense my vision has been really messed up for the last 8.5 years with visual symptoms similar to those who suffer from lyme disease I just want to be sure. I am thinking of getting tested in order to give me some piece of mind. I have had a normal MRI and opthamologic review.
Posts: 33 | From Portsmouth, VA | Registered: Sep 2006
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
If you just have visiual symptoms it most likely something else-- Lyme dose cause sight problems but it is not one of the major symptoms--
If you feel OK overall look to a diffrent cause--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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You could have other things going on but they seem insignificant since you're dealing with vision problems.
Also, consider the co-infection Bartonella. It causes problems with the eyes. In the "Links for Newbies," look for "Bartonella Alert". It has excellent list of symptoms.
Edited to add: Should have started my response by welcoming you to LymeNet. You can find good advice here. It has meant a world of difference for me & for my 14 yr old grandson.
When he was about 8 yrs old, his main symptom was major changes in his eye sight in a very short period of time. He also started showing some symptoms of ADD about 3rd & 4th grade. Other than that - no major signs of Lyme. He has never had fatigue & has continued to play sports. No memory of tick bite or EM rash.
His info may seem irrelavant, but I wanted to let you know that some people do not have a wide range of symptoms. Some do not have severe symptoms.
I recommend that you make an appt with a Lyme Literate Med Dr (LLMD) & let him/her evaluate your situation. Don't make a decision based on a Lyme test. They are not reliable enough to depend completely on the test results.
Go to Seeking a Dr here on LymeNet. Ask for a Lyme Literate Eye Dr & put your location in the title. Info will be sent to you privately.
I don't know anything about him, but there is a Neuro-Opthalmologist in Lancaster, PA.
I would seek out the very best LLMD for eye problems. You deserve the best care available.
[ 20. September 2006, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: cbb ]
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
starrant, Have you seen the responses to your question? Just wondering cause we're concerned about you.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Thanks for your concern. I guess the bottom line is I have to get tested just to be sure.
On visualsnow.com there is a support forum for people with my rare but super annoying 24/7 visual symptoms with typically include visual snow, floaters, and severe after-images.
Members of the forum come up like once a week to report that they have tested positive for lyme. I have my doubts, but getting tested is something I need to do. I guess igenix (sp?) is the way to go.
Can anyone explain to me what tests I should get for lyme disease? It seems like there are so many. Thanks and I will continue to pray for everyone who has lyme.
Posts: 33 | From Portsmouth, VA | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
I can understand your saying you "have to be tested just to be sure."
We all want a "sure diagnosis," but unfortunately with Tick-borne Diseases (TBDs), many people have to rely on a "clinical diagnosis" because the tests are not 100% reliable.
Maybe one day we'll be lucky enough to get a definite yes or no from lab tests, but that hasn't happened yet. Also, it's important to understand that, generally speaking, a LLMD will be better qualified to read the test results & know what is significant & what is not.
By all means have IGeneX run your tests, but in the meantime, make an appt with a LLMD to get an expert to evaluate your test results & your symptoms. When it comes to your eyesight, you want to get the best opinion possible. A mis-diagnosis could have tragic consequences.
You may want to check with the people on visualsnow.com who have tested positive for Lyme. Ask who diagnosed them. Are they being treated for LD?
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Sorry, I had to put my post back towards the top.
Has anyone heard of anyone being diagnosed with LD having only visual symptoms and no other symptoms?
Posts: 33 | From Portsmouth, VA | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Can igenex evaluate the test results for you? Do they simply send a report of the results to your doctor?
I am wondering if it is a simple matter of ordering the tests, getting your blood drawn, sending the tubes to Igenex, and then getting the results back?
I am assumming that the test results have to be intrpreted by your doctor??
Can someone explain the Igenex process in detail to me?
Many thanks!
Posts: 33 | From Portsmouth, VA | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
Can igenex evaluate the test results for you? Do they simply send a report of the results to your doctor? They will say if it's neg or pos....we can help you with any variables on that!
I am wondering if it is a simple matter of ordering the tests, getting your blood drawn, sending the tubes to Igenex, and then getting the results back? yes.... I am assumming that the test results have to be intrpreted by your doctor?? They have to be SENT to the dr. Just get a copy of the results and post them here. Your GP won't know much about it if it isn't clearly positive.
Can someone explain the Igenex process in detail to me?
PM me if you still have questions.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
What are "intense after images"? I think I'm getting these but can someone describe what they are.
Posts: 8 | From virginia | Registered: Oct 2006
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