posted
I have a question but feel a bit stupid posting it, as I feel impatient and perhaps a bit of a hypodchondriac. But I feel if anyone will be able to give me some insight, it is probably those who have had symptoms before.
I am a 28-year-old male, and I grew up in Northern California, but now live on the Central Coast of California). I have had a few ticks over the years, (due to lots of backpacking), but as far as I know, I have gotten them off quickly, and have never had any sort of substantial EM rash. (Although I had a good local rash for a few days after one tick about a year and a half ago).
Then in May my wife and I drove over to do some backpacking in Bakersfield, CA. The second day out she found a tick on my back, and promptly removed it, (although the head stayed in). It could not have been attached for more than 12-14 hours, and probably much less than that.
About three weeks later I came down with a crazy flu that left me extremely fatigued, dizzy, with stabbing pains through my back and chest when I would try to exercise, and a really stiff neck. It was like a bad flu except that I never really felt that sick, just weird symptoms. I got a really high fever one night, sweated for about eight hours, and then it slowly went away except for the pains in my back and chest, which lasted for about a month any time I would try to run.
I went in to the doctor, since it was so abnormal, and my whole family was concerned I had gotten a case of Lyme, (although I didn't think so). The nurse practitioner said I had allergies, but gave me 7 days worth of doxycyclene anyway. I took it, and didn't think anything about it again until I started feeling strange about a month ago. I came in and requested a test for Lyme, (mostly to appease my family), and the ELISA came back positive. However, the Western Blot was only positive for the 41 kDA band and nothing else, so my doctor said I didn't have it.
At this point, I don't really feel sick, I just have a persistent mild headache, constant mild aching in my knees and ankles, and mild nausea after I eat. Oh, and a cough that won't seem to go away. I wouldn't worry about it, except that I have never really had any of these things before.
Mostly, I was just curious if anyone had a similar story and if Lyme is something I should continue pursuing, (and how I should go about doing that if no one thinks I have it), or if it is obvious I don't have it and should let it go and look for something else. I apologize for sounding paranoid and stupid, but have found that often the best information is found from those who have been there, not from those who are on the outside looking in. Thanks for any information you can give.
Posts: 4 | From San Luis Obispo, CA | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Also, my CRP and sed rate tests keep coming back elevated. That's actually the only thing that keeps the doctors looking.
Posts: 4 | From San Luis Obispo, CA | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
The facts that you have presented are a textbook case of Lyme desease. You did get the flu approximately a month after the tick bite. You did get a rash. Among other classic symptoms you told us about.
And most importantly, you did test positive with the 41 kda.
41: Flagella or tail. This is how Borrelia burgdorferi moves around, by moving the flagella. Many bacteria have flagella. This is the most common borreliosis antibody.
Any LLMD that saw 41 kda being positive would tell you it is Lyme. You need to make sure you get a good LLMD.
Also, there is an excellent link for newbies which will answer many of your questions.
Good luck..
Posts: 11 | From Woodstock,IL. | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
It sounds like lyme to me- ( although I'm not a LLMD or a Dr!)
The strange fever with dizziness is consistent with my experience- although I kept trying to tell myself that I was being a hypochondriac- there was no denying that I had never had a flu like this "flu" and the strange symptoms that followed were undeniable as well-
I realized that my aches and headaches were evidence of bacteria causing damage to my joints and tissues-
I can't tell you what to do- but I urge you to trust your instincts on this one-
I was lucky and got treatment quite early on- lyme has had an impact on my life- but I have regained much of my energy and am in relatively good health-
I wish you good health!
Sarah
Posts: 119 | From new york, NY, USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by california_backpacker:
I have a question but feel a bit stupid posting it, as I feel impatient and perhaps a bit of a hypodchondriac. But I feel if anyone will be able to give me some insight, it is probably those who have had symptoms before.
I am a 28-year-old male, and I grew up in Northern California, but now live on the Central Coast of California).
I have had a few ticks over the years, (due to lots of backpacking), but as far as I know, I have gotten them off quickly, and have never had any sort of substantial EM rash.
(Although I had a good local rash for a few days after one tick about a year and a half ago).
Then in May, my wife and I drove over to do some backpacking in Bakersfield, CA. The second day out she found a tick on my back, and promptly removed it, (although the head stayed in). It could not have been attached for more than 12-14 hours, and probably much less than that .
About three weeks later I came down with a crazy flu that left me extremely fatigued, dizzy, with stabbing pains through my back and chest when I would try to exercise, and a really stiff neck.
It was like a bad flu except that I never really felt that sick, just weird symptoms. I got a really high fever one night, sweated for about eight hours, and then it slowly went away except for the pains in my back and chest, which lasted for about a month any time I would try to run.
I went in to the doctor, since it was so abnormal, and my whole family was concerned I had gotten a case of Lyme, (although I didn't think so).
The nurse practitioner said I had allergies, but gave me 7 days worth of doxycyclene anyway . I took it, and didn't think anything about it again until I started feeling strange about a month ago.
I came in and requested a test for Lyme, (mostly to appease my family), and the ELISA came back positive. However, the Western Blot was only positive for the 41 kDA band and nothing else, so my doctor said I didn't have it.
At this point, I don't really feel sick, I just have a persistent mild headache, constant mild aching in my knees and ankles, and mild nausea after I eat. Oh, and a cough that won't seem to go away. I wouldn't worry about it, except that I have never really had any of these things before.
Mostly, I was just curious if anyone had a similar story and if Lyme is something I should continue pursuing, (and how I should go about doing that if no one thinks I have it), or if it is obvious I don't have it and should let it go and look for something else.
I apologize for sounding paranoid and stupid, but have found that often the best information is found from those who have been there, not from those who are on the outside looking in.
Also, my CRP and sed rate tests keep coming back elevated. That's actually the only thing that keeps the doctors looking
Thanks for any information you can give.
in my NON-MEDICAL opinion, YES, you have chronic lyme disease!
I'll send you a PM, private message, with my 19 pages of newbie links/advise that has around 125+ symptoms of lyme! It'll help you understand better.
Elisa was POSITIVE! You are a rarity; that in itself says you have LYME!
You may have co-infections also so please read the link I furnish describing the symptoms/treatments for those illnesses the tick may have given you too.
You've come to the right place for education/support 24/7 !! Bettyg
The amount of info is OVERWHELMING! Just take it in baby steps, but no. 1 thing is to read/print Dr. Burrascano's 05 LYME TREATMENT GUIDELINES; 33 pages!! That will help you to understand more about long-term antibiotics which you did NOT have.
IP: Logged |
About three weeks later I came down with a crazy flu that left me extremely
fatigued, dizzy, with stabbing pains through my back and chest when I would try to exercise,
and a really stiff neck. It was like a bad flu except that I never really felt that sick,
just weird symptoms. I got a really high fever one night, sweated for about eight hours,
and then it slowly went away except for the pains in my back and chest, which lasted for about a month any time I would try to run.
quote:
CALIFORNIA, That sounds like me right now.
From the beginning of my symptoms in June 06,unlike your rash, I had a Bulls-eye rash but the stabbing pains in my back and shoulder blade is how I started out,
and I was taking Naprosyn w/ prevacid and I felt better. I just finished up a 28 day supply and thought I'd wait to see
if I needed it. My thoughts today are that I DO.
Those stabbing pains are miserable. Find yourself an LLMD as suggested before and come here to this forum to learn and ask questions.
take care
Posts: 158 | From PA. | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
So I guess my new question is, if I do have Lyme, does anyone ever get any better? It seems like everyone has various cases of Lyme being worse or better, but I have yet to read about anyone actually being cured. Does that happen? I guess it is just a scary prospect to look at something like this with no great future...
Posts: 4 | From San Luis Obispo, CA | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
I removed a tick and went into denial for many reasons. I waited 6 months before beginning treatment and after 15 months of treatment I am almost symptom-free. Each month I have improved but I still have not gone two months symptom-free.
My youngest son removed a tick the month before me and we immediately treated him with 5-6 weeks of amoxi. He developed mono-like symptoms, cognitive difficulties, and anorexia-like weight loss weeks later. He, too, has been on abx for 15 months & is better. I am so thrilled that he can now handle 15 credits.
My older son has been ill 7 years: 3 1/2 years before being treated. He has many complications. He takes 6 credits a semester.
Get treated thoroughly! Find a good llmd.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 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