Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Hello all,
Well, after a 2 year break between doc visits, I went back this morning.
Along with two new ABX prescriptions and 9 new supplements...
I am also being tested for Ehrlichia and Babesia duncani.
I've dealt with Babs before so pretty much know what to expect, but can't seem to find much on Ehrlichia symptoms.
Anyone care to share their personal experiences?
Thanks in advance, Melanie
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I don't really know a ton about it, but here's some of the symptoms I found on it. My LLMD and I suspect I have Ehrlichia, but we really don't know especially since my test was negative for it from IGeneX. The only reason to believe I have it though is because of the low white blood cell count I've had for a very long time. Ehrlichia causes a low white blood cell count in about 50% of people who have it. The rest have normal cell counts.
Symptoms:
Fever Chills Headache Malaise Muscle aches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Cough Joint pains Confusion Rash: Fine pinhead-sized areas of bleeding in the skin (petechial rash) Flat red rash (maculopapular rash) Severely ill patients can develop abnormally low numbers of white blood cells, abnormally low numbers of platelets, and kidney failure.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thanks Dearheart!
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey hey..
I was just talking about you today and mentioned I thought your appointment was today. Glad you posted about it.
Ehrick symptoms are much like RMSF symptoms.
Doxy early on normally will kick it. If you've been re-exposed since doxy... you might have it?
Or if it went a long time without treatment originally.. you could have it.
Mine comes back.. it has several times... and normally I "feel it" most in the hot summer months and have not been re-exposed.. UNLESS the mosquitoes are giving me it.
I don't doubt that can happen (mosquitoes) but then again, I am not the CDC who knows everything. HA!
It can live in water in a pond.. so fish can have it. When the water dries up, the Ehrick stays there.
High fevers make me know it is back... and tests show positive when that happens.
I also feel bone dead tired... and weak/limp... not like the other zillion symptoms. Not so much muscle or bone pain .. not much at all really.
Just a totally- not moving- don't even think about trying to move- exhaustion.
Oh.. and head aches. From the fever and/or Ehrick... not sure which. But they feel like "fever" induced headaches.
The ONLY help is the doxy for me.. at least that I've taken when this happens and have noted over the years that it helps.
I also got a RMSF looking rash on my wrist and arm- the wrist you burned with that rope-end melting trick (HA!).
Erick can cause the rash but it is reported that a rash with Erick doesn't happen often.
Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Do I know rope tricks?
Thanks for the rambling- you always give me something to think about when you do that.
Bone tired certainly does describe how I am feeling recently. Doc is also checking adrenals, thyroid, hormones and other stuff that I have no clue about...too tired to really care today.
Dunkin donuts!
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Hi Melanie,
I'm positive for both forms of Ehrlichia (now Anaplasma), have been on years of Doxy and Rifampin and neither kicked it, although my titers came down a bit.
I honestly don't know which of my symptoms are Ehrlichia, and my LLMDs haven't really pinpointed it either. I have a feeling maybe the constant muscle aches in my legs might be Ehrlichia, but even with having both forms for five years, my white count is still fine (thank goodness). So it's really a mystery.
I keep hearing that Doxy will knock it out but I guess I can't seem to clear the infections or got some virulent strains or something. I was bitten in Southern California, but never heard of any particular California strains but who knows.
Take care, Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
Hi Melanie! I hope you get some help with this!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thank you everyone- really! I've been pretty down today, and you all (that's ya'll for Miss Toots) always know how to make a gal feel loved and cared for.
I am new to this Lyme & Co. Infections. I was diagnosed in Oct. 08 with Lyme and Ehrilichia. I will tell you my problems and you can match them with the other folks who have posted and compare them. I wanted a symptoms list to see the differences between Babs and Ehrlichia, but from the information I have read, a lot of the symptoms seem to overlap a lot.
I have the Exhaustion mentioned above by Tincup and it is probably the most appropriate description I have ever heard or tried to relay to my doctors and family/friends. "bone dead tired... the weak/limp don't even think about trying to move-exhaustion"
I think I could live with most of the other symptoms if I could get rid of the Darn fatigue. It is killing me. I can't get anything done!!
I also get headaches (dibilitating), sinus infections, bronchitis, have terrible allergies, I get motion sickness easily, lights and sounds can send me straight into a headache, I also have joint pain in my knees and hands (but it is not daily, it is off and on), and I have stabbing shoulder pain.
My best guess is that I have had lyme/ehrlichia for 20 years. My Erhlichia was detected by Quest, which is very rare!! Their test normally isn't senstive enough.
So, I am not sure which symptoms are from the Lyme and what symptoms are from the Ehrlichia. If someone has a better symptoms list (the only one I have foud is in Dr. B's list of co-infections) please share!!
Thanks, Shalome
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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I forgot, I also have pretty bad hot/cold intolerances. The cold makes my bones hurt, and the heat makes me feel like I am going to pass out.
Along with the depression/aggitation. I get really aggravated very quickly by others. I think it is because I am just too tired to spend time trying get others to "get it". I have a mild case of road rage.......I know, I am sorry, I don't like to admit that I am rude, but being sick all the time just brings out the worst in me.
Thanks, Shalome
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thanks for the links Carol and Betty!
Shalome, I do have some of the symptoms you listed- headaches, sinus infections, severe allergies and heat/cold issues are the most troublesome for me along with the fatigue presently. Also, the shoulder pain that I dealt with last year has returned.
My best to you in your continued treatment...and thanks for taking the time to share.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
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