posted
I went for A follow up visit to my LLMD. I had been seeing her assistant for the past 2 months. I was bitten at end of april beginning of May and have been on doxy and cefdinir and probiotics and vitamins since then. I have been feeling 100% better and told her so.
Points she brought up: According to my tests Band 23 consistant with lyme confirms clinical diagnosis of lyme -Im o.k, with that since I found the tick on me and got sick shortly after. She says my cortisol and adrenal are messed up and prescribed an additional $130.00 of supplements for this.
She also said she wanted thyroid tests and also female hormone tests done and at some point look into heavy metal because I am 49 and have some old dental fillings. She also said I have viral epstein bar and hpv 1 (most probably dormant -because I have no symptoms of this).
Now the bonus...since My voice is raspy and has been since I was a wee little girl,and I told her I have allergies. She says I have bart and wants to put me on ketek. I have no symptoms of bart that I know of. She also scheduled 3 follow up visits for the next 3 months.
I just wish she would concentrate on the lyme which is why i went to her and not talk about viruses or heavy metals. Everyone has these things dormant I believe. I feel it is time to get another opinion as I do not think I have bart. Would you go on Ketek if no tests to prove?
Posts: 30 | From Northern virginia | Registered: May 2008
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
What are your remaining symptoms?
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
The only remaining symptom I have is a weak carpal tunnel wrist, and this is only sometimes. I can honestly say that within the past 2-3 weeks all knee, neck and wrist pain along with ocassional headache is gone. Slight fatigue though, but what 49 year old working mother does not feel tired. I'm sorry to be so skeptical, but I just feel I am one big credit card to my LLMD. I am still taking doxy 400 mg per day and cefdinir 600 per day. Thanks for your opinion on this.
Posts: 30 | From Northern virginia | Registered: May 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Ketek has a black box warning for liver conditions I believe.
Most docs use other meds to address Bart: rifampin/zithro, cipro, levaquin. Cipro and levaquin have their own set of issues that you need to watch for; muscle or tendon pain/weakness.
Your other questions, only you can answer. If you don't feel comfortable you need to discuss tx with your doctor.
good luck, glad that you are feeling better.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Did you have the same fatigue before you got bitten? Lyme fatigue is quite different from the fatigue/tiredness you get from being busy.
Did you have the wrist pain before being bitten?
If the answer is no, then it's pretty clear they are from the Lyme. Having symptoms shows that the bacteria is still there. Your LLMD will look for 4-8 weeks 100% symptom-free before stopping treatment.
Catching Lyme early like you did means you can get rid of it for good. But if you stop treatment too early, you can become chronic. Right now the risk of ending treatment is greater than the risk of staying on abx too long.
Many LLMD's like to switch abx when you're getting close to the end of treatment to see if a different drug reaches the bacteria in a different way.
When my daughter was 100% symptom-free for 2 months, the LLMD switched her to stronger abx for one month to see how she reacted. When she was still symptom-free, he stopped her treatment. That was last Jan. and today she still takes some herbs and supps, but not nearly what I take.
I am also nearing the end of my treatment. I am about 98% symptom-free. I have had Lyme for 35 years and took a nose-dive about 5 years ago until I became bedridden. I've been in treatment for 20 months and have gone from 15% to 98%. I am a 45 year old mother of 6 and I have no fatigue unless my Lyme is flaring.
Personally, I think your LLMD sounds like she's trying to cover all the bases.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I had no symptoms of bart, but blood tests by Igenex said I had it. Did you get a negative Igenex (or other company) bart test?
Everyone in Maryland seems to have babs, bart and lyme. So, treating for bart makes some sense to me--not because of your raspy voice but because statistically you probably DO have it.
Regarding metal detox, I would not do that unless I finished with lyme, babs, and bart treatment and still had symptoms. Once I was treated for these 3, I was symptom-free, so my lyme doc said my metal fillings were obviously not an issue for me.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Dawnee
Unregistered
posted
I would def. look into Bart treatment. I have not tested for Bart yet I don't think... but I have had the very raspy voice since childhood when I was first infected.
Due to Lyme..I had to have a complete hysterectomy because it caused severe endometriosis.
Glad to know you caught your Lyme early and got immediate attention...but in the case that it DIDN'T get rid of ALL of it (even without symptoms).. Id go for all the treatment I could get to be sure.
I think your LLMD's concerns are valid.
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