I have Rickettsia and Lyme. Got positive on both bloodtests. Im not well yet. "Only" 6 months into treatment.
Dont know the specific symptoms of Rickettsia. I bet they are pretty similiar to Lyme.
I have been sick since 2003. My symptoms started with stomachproblems. Then fatigue and weakness. And last year I went pretty neuro (memory, balance, tingling, derealization, depression, brainfog etc.). Got the CFS diagnosis. Then tested positive on Lyme and started treatment in January.
Posts: 39 | From Denmark | Registered: Mar 2009
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I have ehrlichia and lyme, but I can't tell what bacteria has caused what.
Severe Fatigue Severe Migraine Headaches Depression Neck pain Between the shoulders pain Achy joints (ankles, knees, and hips) Constipation Gas I get irritated (frustrated) very easily
Now, I am losing my sense of direction and dropping things a lot.
I was told Doxy is best because it can specifically hit the Ehrlichia. I have treated for 7 almost 8 months and I am no better. But, I think I have had this for a long time (20 years).
Shalome
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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Introduction There are two kinds of ehrlichiosis, both of which are caused by tick-borne rickettsial parasites called Ehrlichia that infect different kinds of white blood cells.
In HME (human monocytic ehrlichiosis), they infect monocytes. In HGE (human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), they infect granulocytes. HGE was renamed anaplasmosis in 2003.
Ticks carry many Ehrlichia-like parasites that have not been identified yet. It is likely that the lone star tick transmits HME and that the deer tick transmits HGE.
Ehrlichiosis (HME) was originally thought to be only an animal disease. It was described in humans in 1987 and is now found in 30 states, predominately in the southeast, south-central, and mid-Atlantic states, Europe and Africa.
Anaplasmosis (HGE)in humans was first identified in 1990 in a Wisconsin man. Before that it was known to infect horses, sheep, cattle, dogs and cats. It occurs in the upper midwest, northeast, the mid-Atlantic states, northern California, and many parts of Europe.
Studies suggest that in endemic areas as much as 15% to 36% of the population has been infected, though often it is not recognized.
Symptoms The clinical manifestations of ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are the same. Each is often characterized by sudden high fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache. The disease can be mild or life-threatening.
Severely ill patients can have low white blood cell count, low platelet count, anemia, elevated liver enzymes, kidney failure and respiratory insufficiency.
Older people or people with immune suppression are more likely to require hospitalization. Deaths have occurred.
Diagnosis Diagnosis is limited by our current ability to test for only two species. Ehrlichia parasites multiply inside host cells, forming large mulberry-shaped clusters called morulae which doctors can sometimes see on blood smears.
The infection still can easily be missed. The doctor may suspect ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis in a patient who does not respond well to treatment for Lyme disease.
Treatment The treatment of choice for ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis is doxycycline, with rifampin recommended in case of treatment failure.
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Started a week ago Sat. with 104 fever. Dr. started me on doxyclcine. Fever subsided after 8 days but now temp. runs between 96 to 99. Shaky in the am, headache in the pm but horrible, horrible night sweats. Changing 4 times during the night. Out of work for one week and thought I could return today, but too shaky. Feeling 70% better except for above symptoms.
-------------------- AnnaMarie Posts: 1 | From New York | Registered: Jul 2009
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Many LLMDs believe that ehrlichia is the easiest of the coinfections to eradicate. A round of doxy is said to be sufficient to get rid of it.
Posts: 655 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2007
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My miagrines were so intense that I had to take three medications to knock me out completely.
The only way I can explain it is to say it feels like your finger does when you accidentally hit it with a hammer.
There was this intense pressure, along with my pulse it felt like someone was taking an axe to my head.
The temples were bad, along with the forehead, and from ear to ear. Not sure if it was lyme or ehrlichia, I have both.
Hope that helps, Shalome
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
I am being treated for Lyme and Ehrlichia.
My LLMD said that if you only have Ehrlichia, Doxy will knock itout,
but if you have Lyme or another coinfection with it, you usually need a second abx.
I'm on Doxy and Rifampin, and I'm showing some improvement except for my eyesight.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Bump
TerryK I tried sending you a PM but your mailbox is full.
Can you help me understand what rickettsia is?
Is it Q-Fever, RMSF, Erlichia? All of those?
I tested positive for Erlichia long time ago and now I suspect rickettsia too.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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