posted
I was bit by a tick many years ago while traveling in Austria and Germany as a young teenager. I did not discover the tick burrowed in my back until approx 3 weeks after I was bit when I happened to look in a mirror and see it moving. I removed the tick myself and visited a hospital overseas where I was administered one shot(unknown treatment). During that 3 week time frame I experienced many common lyme symptoms including extreme fatigue, chills, fever and nausea. Upon returning home, I never followed through with getting a diagnosis, mainly because I felt as though I returned to a normal state of health but probably moreso because I was young and didn't have the wherewithal to follow through. Thinking back, I don't even think I told my mom about the bite! Over the years, however, I have experienced some of the "chronic" symptoms, such as chest pains and pains in other areas and insomnia, and some attention/memory related symptoms. I have always tried to resolve these issues by chalking them up to "growing older". However, the more I read on the topic, and the more I think about my personal health issues, I feel the need to explore the possibility that I may be living with lyme disease. I wonder if it's possible to go many years without a diagnosis? I have been putting this off for a long time, mainly due to fear of diagnosis. Please provide me with information regarding Lyme specialists in or close to the upper south carolina area that i can visit to discuss further. This website is a godsend, thanks in advance for the help.
Posts: 6 | From South Carolina | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Welcome! Go to Medical Questions for more information on this disease. There was a discussion yesterday on how many years had passed between being bit and being on treatment.
It took me 42 yrs to get diagnosed.... and I got well! There is hope!
There was one very good dr in SC until recently. I think he has moved to DC. I'll send you what I have.
Good luck and keep hanging with us!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.
The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately.
This explains the medical politics around Lyme, and why you need an ILADS-educated or ILADS-member LLMD (and there are also some ILADS-member LL NDs (naturopathic doctors):
ILADS The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) provides a forum for health science professionals to share their wealth of knowledge regarding the management of Lyme and associated diseases. www.ilads.org
They will also send you a ``test kit'' with their required form, all the test vials, & box to ship it in. Be sure to download Igenex's required form. MD, DO, ND, AC, DC are all fine** must sign, date, and show diagnosis code on there why he's ordering the test.
Optional tests include: co-infection panel for your area of country and PCR whole blood
Igenex is pre-pay/out of network for most insurances. If you are on medicare, Igenex will file the paperwork & it's free to you.
Betty's suggested posting guidelines: Many of members have neuro lyme, and it is hard to read long solid block text and be able to comprehend.
For easier reading, please edit your post by clicking the ``paper pencil' icon to right of your user name, which opens up the subject line and body text.
You can break up your longer paragraphs into smaller paragraphs. Please hit ``enter'' key twice after each paragraph, also.
Go to left hand corner and mark box to receive `all replies', and click edit send.
Thank you for posting in a manner that makes it easier for all to read and help others.
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posted
Thank you both. I have update my profile.
Posts: 6 | From South Carolina | Registered: Oct 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
curious, please break up your entire post as i asked above4 use my guidelines; i can NOT read a thing!!
after i can read it, i'll send you info ok hugs
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Breaking up post for lymecurious:
I was bit by a tick many years ago while traveling in Austria and Germany as a young teenager.
I did not discover the tick burrowed in my back until approx 3 weeks after I was bit when I happened to look in a mirror and see it moving.
I removed the tick myself and visited a hospital overseas where I was administered one shot(unknown treatment).
During that 3 week time frame I experienced many common lyme symptoms including extreme fatigue, chills, fever and nausea.
Upon returning home, I never followed through with getting a diagnosis, mainly because I felt as though I returned to a normal state of health but probably moreso because I was young and didn't have the wherewithal to follow through.
Thinking back, I don't even think I told my mom about the bite!
Over the years, however, I have experienced some of the "chronic" symptoms, such as chest pains and pains in other areas and insomnia, and some attention/memory related symptoms.
I have always tried to resolve these issues by chalking them up to "growing older".
However, the more I read on the topic, and the more I think about my personal health issues, I feel the need to explore the possibility that I may be living with lyme disease.
I wonder if it's possible to go many years without a diagnosis?
I have been putting this off for a long time, mainly due to fear of diagnosis.
Please provide me with information regarding Lyme specialists in or close to the upper south carolina area that i can visit to discuss further.
This website is a godsend, thanks in advance for the help.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Please check your private messages for LLMD suggestions and information regarding ILADS, Dr. B's guidelines and lots of helpful links.
Do join in the discussion in our ``medical section'' for additional help, education and support. It's a great place to learn more about this very complex illness. You can also find your local support group on the left hand side of this web page for additional help.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
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She was very thorough and pointed in her questions... I told her about my bite and symptoms since.
She sent off several blood samples for testing. She didn't give me names of the tests, just to come back and see her in 10 days...
She said one test took 5 days and another took 7 days.
I guess I should've asked for the names, huh? I will for sure when I see her again.
Posts: 6 | From South Carolina | Registered: Oct 2009
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Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
You may be lucky and get a positive test but remember that Lyme is a clinical diagnoses, meaning based on symptoms not testing. Testing is less than 30% accurate and should be tested for the many co-infections one can contact from the bit of a tick, as well. If you don't get a positive test, it does not mean you don't have Lyme or a co-infection.
It's a start, but only a LLMD such as the ones that were sent to you will be of any real help to you.
Be sure to read all of the links and literature that was PMed to you.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
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