posted
I have spent quite a bit of time searching the various forums here including "activism" which is, perhaps, the most scary.
I have never experienced the severe symptoms so many talk about (other than severe fatigue) but have had many others including those below.
I have also been treated for depression/anxiety for 2-1/2 years with little change. I begins to seem like it was Lyme all along.
Do any of these sound familiar??
Lyme Symptoms ?
1. Depression/Anxiety/word memory problems 2. Itchiness - ear canals - dry and scaly with no earwax production. Itchiness in scalp. 3. Severe fatigue/lethargy. Even the most minor of tasks, physical or otherwise, often seem daunting. 4. Small rashes that do not go away - look a bit like ringworm. Cream eases itching. 5. Small cuts/scratches that do not heal. (I have always healed exceptionally fast and have had excellent defenses against most maladies - sick twice in the last 50-years). 6. Low body temperatures - sometimes as low as 96.6 7. Difficulty concentrating. 8. Swollen testacle - since abated. 9. Little flakes - like scales that scratch off easily. Other similar spots that do not. Occasional small red spots - pin head size. 10. Small white ``nodes'' on the skin - usually about 1/8'' in diameter & slightly raised.
My biggest concern is that I have always had exceptional defenses and I begin to wonder if those didn't get me through early stages. I was diagnosed a few months ago at the insistence of my wife who had the obvious symptoms. We were each treated with 100mg, twice a day, Doxycyline.
She responded well - I notice no difference. Do any of you know if any of the above are precursors to more serious symptoms? I am a bit frightened of the prospects and I know I need to see an LLMD but I cannot afford one out-of-pocket and, as I've read here, it's a real PITA getting insurance to cover it. I have spoken with two "cured" patients - one spent $60,000+ out of pocket, the other $125,000!!
Any and all advice appreciated. Questions too.
[ 07. December 2007, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: BunkerHill ]
Posts: 21 | From Upstate New York | Registered: Oct 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I think both you and your wife need to find a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor).
I am sorry to say that 200mg a day of doxy is just kind of like
Putting a bandaid on a wound that needs stitches.
The minimum would be 300mg, (I take that but only weigh 105lbs).
Most here take 400-600mg a day. Also there are co-infections to consider.
Babesia and bartonella are just a couple of possibilities.
My neighbor, who also has Lyme, had a swollen testicle, and later discovered
That a tick had embedded itself there.
I am treating myself, my husband and two young children.
I cannot stress enough about finding a LLMD. Mine takes insurance.
Your symptoms do sound like Lyme. If you have already had a positive test,
Then now is the time for both your wife and yourself to get the right treatment.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Make sure you are also tested for Babesia. It is also spread by ticks.
The 200mg of doxy per day is way low. Could be why you didn't notice any changes. Optimal level would be at least 400mg per day.
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
The following signs/symptoms may be present in those infected with Babesiosis: Fatigue Arthralgias Myalgia Drenching sweats Headaches Emotional lability Depression Dark urine Splenomegaly Dizziness Nausea and vomiting Cough Dyspnea Fever Chills Hepatosplenomegaly Jaundice Malaise Shortness of breath Bleeding tendencies, bruising Thrombocytopenia Hemoglobinuria Hyperesthesia Pulmonary edema Encephalopathy Low to normal range leukocyte counts Possible elevated levels of dehydrogenase, bilirubin, transaminase* Anorexia Approximately 25%- 66% of Babesia patients are known to be co-infected with Lyme disease. These symptoms may continue for long periods of time, decrease, then return. A low Babesiosis titer (IgG) often indicates a chronic infection. An acute or current infection may show a higher reading on the IgM test initially. There are over 100 species of Babesia in the United States but only ONE or TWO species are currently checked by commercial labs.
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