posted
Hello everyone. I am new to this site and newly diagnosed with Lyme disease. The more I research the symptoms, the farther back I can go in my history. I will try to be brief, but I am covering a lot of time here... I was diagnosed with several illnesses/diseases/disorders as a child and also had an abundance of "we don't know what is wrong with you" episodes. I was diagnosed with migraines at 5, TMJ at 11, depression/bipolar/DID (dissociative identity disorder previously known as MPD multiple personality disorder) at 19, partial-simple TLE (temporal lobe epilepsy) at 22, RA at 24 which they later said I did not have afterall, back problems including disc degeneration, arthritis and bulging discs at 26, hypothyroidism with thyroid nodules at 30, sleep apnea at 31 and fibromyalgia at 30. I also have had bouts of endometriosis, gallbladder disease which has been recurrent for 8 years even after my gallbladder was removed, GERD which has led to Barrett's Esophagus (stomach lining grows into esophagus and is a pre-cancerous condition), irregular periods, and more. Some of my unknown episodes included severe and debilitating back pain in spine that lasted approx 2 weeks and was noted as a spinal fluid infection since nothing else could be determined. A severe pain and swelling of the knees which led to the RA diagnosis that was later recanted. A bizarre episode of generalized pain and malaise with weakness in the legs that led to a diagnosis of severe sodium deficiency, and I could go on and on. I have experienced many of the symptoms on the list either currently or at one time or another. Many of them led to other diagnoses. Here are my list of symptoms: Musculoskeletal System * Joint pain or swelling * Stiffness of joints, esp back and neck * Movement of pain or swelling to different joints * Creaking, popping, cracking joints * Muscle pain or cramps * General Muscle Pain/Tenderness (fibromyalgia) * Hand stiffness * Bone sensitivity, esp. the spine * Clumsiness * Backache * Tendonitis - repested bouts at various locations
Neurologic System * Headache (persistent / severe / migraine-like) * Burning, stabbing or shooting pains * Tremors or unexplained shaking * Numbness in parts of body / extremities * Tingling sensations (crawling on skin) * Weakness * Lightheadedness, wooziness, fainting * Twitching of muscles * Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking * Increased motion sickness * Alternating warm / cool sensations * Constant low body temperature * seizures * Hearing music or sounds others can't hear * Visual, auditory or odor hallucinations * periodic limb movement disorder
Psychological Well-being * Mood swings, irritability * Easily frustrated * Unusual depression * Crying impulses for no reason * Over-emotional reactions, crying easily * Rage, aggression * Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), sleep apnea on CPAP * Disturbed sleep: too much, too little, fractionated, early awakening * Nightmares * Suicidal thoughts * Low self-esteem * Bitterness, guilt, alienation * Bipolar, psychosis-like disorder
Mental Capabilities * Confusion, difficulty in thinking * Difficulty with focus, concentration, reading (``Brain fog'') * Word finding trouble * Forgetfulness * Stammering, stuttering speech * Going to wrong places
Eyes, Vision * Floaters * Double or blurry vision * Eye pain, pressure in eyes * Light sensitivity * Tearing eyes, dry eyes * Ears, Hearing * Decreased hearing in one or both ears * Buzzing, or ringing * Pain in ears
Digestive and Excretory System * Diarrhea * Abdominal pain / Bloating * Upset stomach, vomiting * Gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux or GERD)
low blood pressure *
Reproduction * Loss of sex drive at times * Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity * Testicular or pelvic pain - endometriosis
Head, Face, Neck * Neck stiffness, pain, creaks, cracks * Twitching of muscles * Unexplained hair loss
General Well-being * Extreme, persistent fatigue, poor stamina * Symptoms change, come and go * Pain moves to different body parts * Unexplained weight gain * Malaise * Any type of rash / Itching * Swollen glands * Unexplained fevers (high or low) * Continual infections (sinus - constant, kidney - 4 bouts of stones and 6-8 infections - some resulted in hosp stays, UTI & bladder all the time) * Increased sensitivity to allergens * Sugar craving * Nodules under the skin
I have spent my whole life hearing "how can one person have so many things wrong with them?" I suddenly feel like it all fits and instead, I had one thing wrong with me that was causing all of these symptoms that were diagnosed and treated as something else. How could I go on for so long without anyone putting it all together? Anyway, I have a friend who has chronic Lyme and she is helping me get started in my research and support, but I really, really need an insurance accepting LLMD in the York, PA, Baltimore, MD or Rockville/Bethesda, MD area. If you can help, I really would appreciate it.
Thank you!
-------------------- Michele:) Posts: 30 | From York, PA | Registered: Jan 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
hi michele! big welcome to you.
please edit your 1st paragraph that is one long, solid block of text that we neuro lyme folks can not comprehend or read at all.
the other stuff looked ok, but i stopped trying to read at beginning.
may i suggest also, that you show the CITIES/STATES you are interested in be taken to the TOP and shown? many folks won't read this all. they just are unable to ok!
check your profile for names of any i find in those cities/states! *************************
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``THREE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
if you are NOT a wordy person, you can do 2 or 3 total ok. do this for your entire post. big thanks!
Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
I sent you a private message, click on the flashing envelope.
-------------------- 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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