posted
hey, i'm new to blogging but i would love to get as many perspectives as i can on what's happening with me. the past 3 years or so things got bad. i was finally clinically diagnosed with what i think is neuro lyme despite many a normal blood results in march2010. worst of all were the psychological issues.i believe they may have masked the physical signs (or i just blamed myself for not being able to do something to make myself not feel bad...example: eating correctly etc)from eating disorders to anxiety and depression, bipolar? adhd? i went to my primary physician finally (after my boyfriend said i had to see someone if i wanted to stay together because my rage over the tiniest things was uncontrollable and my depression and anxiety paralyzing and heartbreaking to watch). i had to go to him to get a referral because i wanted to see a psychiatrist. he asked me what was wrong and i told him how i felt, crying the entire time. i told him it was worst the couple days before my period. he told me i had a serotonin deficiency most likely pmdd. gave me 50mg of zoloft and i saw him a month later. i was ok the rest of the month, i had episodes every time i got my period but i was thankful to not be in a constant state of anxiety. i felt good enough and motivated to see a dermatologist since ive had acne since i was in highschool (graduated 2005) now that i wasnt in such an emotionally fog. i had some cystic acne moderate. enough to be very uncomfortable. she gave me some topicals and 100mg of doxycycline to take twice a day. i started it and it worked right away. my face was clear of any nasty cystic acne. it made me very nauseaus in the morning. if i didnt take it will a full stomach i would throw up in a matter of 15 mins. about a month later i started feeling very bad. i got flashes of heat like a hot flash and i would sweat on my upper lip and then it would pass. when i saw my primary physician again because i thought i was having some side effects from the zoloft or the doxycycline or the combination of the two he seemed very intrigued. he asked me if i had any neurological issues. i mentioned a tremor in my left hand and shooting pains and lower back pain i had always attributed to my large chest(38D) not so big come to think of it now. he used to study lyme but with all the politics and facing losing his license he decided to give it up. he has decided to help me fight this though. i dont know that i can remember feeling normal. has anyone had any similar experiences? anything will help on my journey.
Posts: 62 | From Perth Amboy NJ | Registered: Jun 2010
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tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113
posted
Yes, it sounds like Lyme could be a possibility. I would read Dr. Burrescano's Guidelines and look at symptom lists to see how many symptoms you have. The psychiatric part is very real, but ignored by mainstream medicine. Often that can be from one of the coinfections from Lyme called Bartonella. Shooting pains are often bartonella, as are rages and depression. Also, you will often flare around your period with lyme.
You have found one of the best places to learn about lyme. I would read as many posts as you can about it. Then go to the Seeking a Doctor section and ask about LLMD's - it is best to work with one, but if your doc can help in the meantime, you can both do your research. I would start by getting an Igenex test, which is more accurate than other tests. But even if it is negative, you could still have Lyme.
Read as much as you can...there are many good books out there. Good luck to you.
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
All of the psychological problems could definitely be Lyme Disease. I went to see a Neurologist, before I knew I had Lyme. I was on the generic of Zoloft(Sertraline or something like that). He said that medicine is horrible, the generic even more so. He said it causes weight gain and other bad side effects. He switched me to Lexapro. I have been on that for about 2-3 weeks. My husband said he saw a huge improvement.
Also, have your vitamins checked. I had low B12 and D. B12 could make things bad. Also, have they checked your thyroid? That could cause problems also.
The Neurological problems are my worst problem. It was actually a neurologist that diagnosed me with Lyme. The doctor mentioned peripheral neuropathy. I have numbness in my extremities, twitching, and muscle spasms.
I am also having a lot of mood swings, depression, and brain fog as well. No experience with the acne.
Posts: 60 | From NJ | Registered: Jun 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Breaking this up so others can read it more easily:
hey, i'm new to blogging but i would love to get as many perspectives as i can on what's happening with me.
the past 3 years or so things got bad. i was finally clinically diagnosed with what i think is neuro lyme despite many a normal blood results in march2010.
worst of all were the psychological issues.i believe they may have masked the physical signs (or i just blamed myself for not being able to do something to make myself not feel bad...example: eating correctly etc)from eating disorders to anxiety and depression, bipolar? adhd?
i went to my primary physician finally (after my boyfriend said i had to see someone if i wanted to stay together because my rage over the tiniest things was uncontrollable and my depression and anxiety paralyzing and heartbreaking to watch). i had to go to him to get a referral because i wanted to see a psychiatrist.
he asked me what was wrong and i told him how i felt, crying the entire time. i told him it was worst the couple days before my period. he told me i had a serotonin deficiency most likely pmdd. gave me 50mg of zoloft and i saw him a month later.
i was ok the rest of the month, i had episodes every time i got my period but i was thankful to not be in a constant state of anxiety.
i felt good enough and motivated to see a dermatologist since ive had acne since i was in highschool (graduated 2005) now that i wasnt in such an emotionally fog.
i had some cystic acne moderate. enough to be very uncomfortable. she gave me some topicals and 100mg of doxycycline to take twice a day. i started it and it worked right away. my face was clear of any nasty cystic acne.
it made me very nauseaus in the morning. if i didnt take it will a full stomach i would throw up in a matter of 15 mins.
about a month later i started feeling very bad. i got flashes of heat like a hot flash and i would sweat on my upper lip and then it would pass.
when i saw my primary physician again because i thought i was having some side effects from the zoloft or the doxycycline or the combination of the two he seemed very intrigued.
he asked me if i had any neurological issues. i mentioned a tremor in my left hand and shooting pains and lower back pain i had always attributed to my large chest(38D) not so big come to think of it now.
he used to study lyme but with all the politics and facing losing his license he decided to give it up. he has decided to help me fight this though.
i dont know that i can remember feeling normal. has anyone had any similar experiences? anything will help on my journey.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
i had difficulty swallowing so i got a thyroid scan and it was normal, my bloodwork was normal also.
I also suffer from blacking out a bit when i turn my head or get up quickly even when just standing still sometimes. horrible short term memory, tension headaches with any minor exersion.
i want get tested at igenex. is there a most opportune time? i have been on clarithromycin i believe a generic for biaxin 500mg twice a day for about 3 months.
my doctor wants to put me back on the doxycyline in the winter months because i had such bad herxing and the sun and heat can make it worse i guess.
Posts: 62 | From Perth Amboy NJ | Registered: Jun 2010
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Talk to your dr and ask if it's OK to be off abx for 2 wks prior to testing. ( you can order the kit for free.. you send $$$ in when you mail it back with the blood draw)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
You sound just like my daughter. Anxiety, ADD, rages, back pain, face tingeling, crying, throwing up....Glad you are on the right path now.
Posts: 303 | From green bay, wi | Registered: Mar 2009
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posted
You know what's really nice about your story is that your primary care doc has decided that he wants to help you. That's pretty special in today's political climate.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
That's my story, right down to the psych issues masking/hiding the physical, the initial pmdd dx, etc. I'm treating lyme now (10 years later) and finally starting to feel better (for periods, treatment can involve feeling better, then much worse - it's a rollercoaster).
Right now I'm so in love with your primary for being so awesome to you. If you feel that you really want tests, go for it. If you're comfortable with treating without the tests, stick to that and avoid the expense.
You can take dox with food to avoid nausea (even though it says not to). Just make sure you space it two hours from dairy and iron.
You can also take other abx to avoid sun issues. www.ilads.org has treatment guidelines that discuss the options.
Good luck
Posts: 252 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2010
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