posted
I am currently in my third week of taking antibiotics (doxycyclene) and am still having muscle fatigue and arthritis-like symptoms in my hands and arms.
I never had the rash, but I was inundated with ticks (pulled a few off) while doing field work several weeks ago.
I was exteremely sick during the first week of antibiotics. I could not get out of bed. My muscles were so fatigued, I had excruciating headaches, and my joints became stiff and in some cases painful (first time this has ever happened).
My initial generic test came back negative (no suprise) and I am wondering if it is too late to have my blood sent to a better lab. Can anyone comment or give me some advice?
My doctor does not seem to know enough about Lyme disease and I do not want to take any chances. Please help!
Thanks.
[ 11. June 2007, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: jls227 ]
Posts: 10 | From Central Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2007
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi jls,
I understand that the blood tests usually come back negative if one is tested early (weeks) after lyme exposure. However, it is important to note, that there can be false negatives even after more time has elapsed.
My best advice is to get yourself an appointment with a lyme literate medical doctor, recommended through the LDA.
You have caught this early, and it is important that you get proper treatment to eradicate it at this stage. Only 3 weeks of abx are not long enough! You do not want this to go to the chronic, late stage of lyme, which insufficient abx at this stage could do. I am not a doctor, just someone who learned the hard way to get proper treatment.
Your symptoms and response to the doxy sound classic for lyme. The first week is always the worst. As you know, not everyone gets the rash. Take care and find a llmd in your area!
Great that you caught this early, there is real hope that you can eradicate it with proper treatment.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome! you've come to the right place for info/support.
yes, you are ONE of the LUCKY ones finding this early and GETTING PROMPT TREATMENT! you can be cured with LONG ENOUGH ANTIBIOTICS.
we chronic lymies recommend 3-4 months worth of abx! anything less than that you will end up like US...you don't want that!
i'll send you by PM, PRIVATE MESSAGE, my 57 pages of newbie links, advise, symptoms list, igenex tests, preparing for 1st llmd visit, disability, much more, and TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE ARCHIVE LINK of 1000 sites of GOOD ino!
post in seeking dr. section; penn. has a lot there. PUT CLOSEST LARGEST CITY/STATE IN SUBJECT LINE so we can help you promptly!!
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Igenex recommends antibiotics for 28 days.
Stop antibiotics, wait ten days and then do the test.
The thought behind this is to stimulate the immune system.
It supposedly increases the potential number of positive bands that show up.
If you really want to stop treatment for ten days, then do it.
My husband did. Didn't regress that much because he had just gotten started on antibiotics.
BTW, had him tested via Igenex....where I wish I had been tested.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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djf2005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11449
posted
all i can say is that the advise already posted on here is invaluable.
be aggressive and take care of this now.
you will be SO much better off
take care
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
posted
I was on Doxycycline for 3 or 4 weeks before testing positive through Igenex labs.
You will feel worse before you feel better. I didn't believe it until I had it happen. It was smooth sailing on the Doxy until about the 5th day and then the craziness began.
I felt like I had been hit by a truck.
Definitely make an appointment with an LLMD, but I know there are very long waiting lists sometimes.
I'm not sure where you are in Pennsylvania, but I know of a doctor (not an LLMD) who uses Igenex labs to test for Lyme. If you live in a place like me, where every doctor knows NOTHING about Lyme, this may be of use to you.
PM if interested. And good luck.
Posts: 81 | From Central PA | Registered: Mar 2007
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