posted
Hi all. One year ago i got bit by a tick, my boyfriend found it on my leg or i never would have. 6 days after the bite bumps started, then everyday i would check it, they spread outwards, and more of them appeared. Went to doc, he said he wasnt sure but it looked like Lyme disease and put me on Zithromax for 10 days. (Im allergic to Penn and Tetra). Anyway to cut a long story short, i tested negative for Lymes with the ELISA and the Western Blot. But ever since have been tired, memory loss etc. Then, because ive been having headaches my new doc sent me for MRI. They found an "abnormal signal of the left ventricle of the white matter, which was bright on T2". They made me go back for another MRI, this time with dye, and now im waiting to hear. Im panicking. Could i have Lyme disease? I feel like im getting stupid. Im more worried that i have a brain tumour, or MS. Can Lyme disease make areas of your brain appear bright? And is it possible to test negative on both tests and have Lymes?
Posts: 2 | From new jersey | Registered: Sep 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I don't have an answer to your specific MRI questions, but my advice would be to try not to speculate.
This will lead to hypochondria and anxiety. The anxiety/stress alone can create all kinds of physical symptoms.
I freaked out quite a bit trying to figure out what was wrong with me. This makes things worse (but it's next to impossible to tell someone not to worry).
If you get too worked up thinking about it all, distract yourself with any kind of positive activity.
If you do have Lyme (or any other condition) stress will make it worse ... guaranteed !
Go through the testing and if you do think it is Lyme go to an LLMD as soon as possible so the infection does not get the upper hand.
-------------------- Thank You Posts: 75 | From Southern California | Registered: Nov 2006
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
A negative Elisa and Western Blot is not at all uncommon just following a tick bite.
Your symptoms due sound Lyme-like to me.
Prior to getting a diagnosis of Lyme, I too, thought I had a brain tumor.
Please find a LLMD and get a Western Blot via Igenex in Ca.
A LLMD will be able to rule out other possible diagnosis' and will recognize clinical signs of Lyme disease,
Even without a positive blood test.
You can go to the Seeking Doctor's section and post where you live and see if someone can
Point you to a LLMD.
Hang in there.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Yes- can be Lyme!!! MS & Lyme can be exactly the same!!!! & you can be negative on tests & still have Lyme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Can Lyme disease make areas of your brain appear bright? And is it possible to test negative on both tests and have Lymes? ============================
YES and YES!!!
Dr. Bransfield's Reason's for Seronegativity the reasons why you can test negative and still have Lyme disease.
1. Recent infection before immune response 2. Antibodies are in immune complexes 3. Spirochete encapsulated by host tissue (i.e.: lymphocytic cell walls) 4. Spirochete is deep in host tissue (i.e.: fibroblasts, neurons, etc.) 5. Blebs in body fluid, no whole organisms needed for PCR 6. No spirochetes in body fluid on day of test 7. Genetic heterogeneity (300 strains, 100 in U.S.) 8. Antigenic variability 9. Surface antigens change with temperature 10. Utilization of host protease instead of microbial protease 11. Spirochete in dormancy phase (L-form) with no cell walls 12. Recent antibiotic treatment 13. Recent anti-inflammatory treatment 14. Concomitant infection with babesia may cause immunosuppression 15. Other causes of immunosuppression 16. Lab with poor technical capability for Lyme disease 17. Lab tests not standardized for late stage disease 18. Lab tests labeled "for investigational use only" 19. CDC criteria is epidemiological not a diagnostic criteria 20. Lack of standardized control 21. Most controls use only a few strains as reference point 22. Few organisms are sometimes present 23. Encapsulated by glycoprotein "S-layer" which impairs immune recognition 24. "S"- layer binds to IgM 25. Immune deficiency 26. Possible down regulation of immune system by cytokines 27. Revised W.B. criteria fails to include most significant antigens
============================= Do not quit until you get a blood test thru Igenex Lab in CA. www.igenex.com Tests #188 and 189 are what you need. The lab your dr used was probably Quest. Forget it! ===============================
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I would definately suspect Lyme Disease. Please post in seeking doctors to find an LLMD (Lyme literate MD) near you. You will need an LLMD for proper diagnosis as it's a clinical diagnosis and testing is inacurrate.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| 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