For 8 years I have had debilitating fatigue. My blood tests never reveal a cause. I have had aches/pains as well. I wake up feeling so tired no matter how long I sleep and need to nap during the day.
I don't remember ever being bit by a tick or having a "bull's eye" rash, but you don't have to, right?
I'm curious how I find out if I have this and if others have similar symptoms.
Thanks, Julie
Posts: 9 | From NY | Registered: May 2009
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
Hi Julie,
You are correct. Not everyone gets the bull's eye rash. I did not.
Here's a great website with a checklist of symptoms: www.canlyme.org
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Julie, you sound like me. I was a good athlete until I had mono two years ago...the mono "woke up" the lyme so-to-speak or vice versa...
My main symptom is fatigue...I'm still working on a solution some 2 years later...sleep does nothing for me...
I have had 3 positive lyme western blot tests through Igenex as well as a recent band 31 confirmation that came back positive...
It can be a prolonged battle but you have to find a LLMD (lyme literate doctor) who listens and who will treat and troubleshoot until you are better or improved or functional...
This board is a good start for you...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
The tests aren't accurate, either.
If you think you may have Lyme, you may get a "clinical diagnosis". You need to see a physician who is "Lyme Literate" or who has some understanding about Lyme.
Many doctors in endemic areas still do not know anything about Lyme.
Good luck!
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
I don't remember a tick bite or rash either.
Read this info....both have good symptom lists... and lots of good info..
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
I'm not sure how to approach my Dr. with all of this.
He's really trying hard to figure out what's wrong with me, but it sounds like Dr's know so little about it. I want to ask him for tests, but that sounds unreliable as well. I'm not really sure what the next step is ......
Posts: 9 | From NY | Registered: May 2009
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I agree with Sparkle. You need an LLMD.
You can post a request for a referral in the "Seeking a Doctor" forum.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Only about 30% of people get the rash. I never got one, but I did see the tick embedded on me.
-------------------- 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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posted
I have had chronic at times debilitating fatigue for almost 5 years.
I had flu symptoms and seemed fine until 3 weeks later when the fatigue hit. I like others was diagnosed with CFS and left it at that.
Even though I am now seeing an LLMD and have been in treatment for over 2 years nothing seems to touch the fatigue.
I also have adrenal and thyroid problems but am on meds for that.
Doc can not come up with an explaination as to why I still have such tremedous fatigue so I have made an appt. with an endocrinologist at his suggestion.
Not sure they can help but I have nothing to lose at this point.
Does your current doc know about the fatigue problems and done nothing for you? If so then find another doctor. That is what I had to finally do.
It is very hard to find someone who will take the time to look for causes of fatigue because alot of their patients complain of the same thing although all of us with Lyme and co's the fatigue is basically undescribable.
Get testing for other illnesses that can cause fatigue and go from there. My Lyme test only had one +++ and a few IND's and I never remember a bite either.
Good luck..I know exactly how you feel.
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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