posted
I was diagnosed with lyme last November after being sick for 3 years and time after time being told that it was all in my head. Every time they would put me on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs they would make me worse or freak me out. I have so many symptoms that make my dr. look at me funny. I have alot of wierd things go on in my head and I know I'm not "lossing it". I have alot of other symptoms that affect my life on a daily basis. My heart palipitates, alot of digestive problems,and about every other thing you can imagine. I have been on Doxy since Dec. and it has helped me alot. Just this last month it seems it has started to help my digestive system alot. I seem to have improvements about every 3 months or so. I saw that Bea was talking about a high Bilirubin, mine has been high since I have been sick and the Dr.'s don't know why. My Dr. is a general M.D. with a combination of natural medicine. I don't know if I should look for a specialist after looking at this sight or stay with him. He is the first and only Dr. that would listen to me and not tell me I was crazy. Any info would be appreciated. thanks, Angie
Posts: 19 | From Washington | Registered: Oct 2005
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You say you're on doxy....Who prescribed it? If your current dr is prescribing, that's great! You might be able to get well on that....but if you begin to plateau or get worse, I'd seek the advice of an LLMD.
Are you in an area where there are LLMD's within an easy driving range? Maybe you could make an appointment with one now....to see him/her in about 3 months.
Most LLMD's are booked that far in advance...or farther.
Hope this helps....It's really in your head....it's called Lyme disease!! [or bart or babs!!]
posted
Lyme Disease Symptoms List 1. Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing 2. Unexplained weight change--loss or gain 3. Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina 4. Unexplained hair loss 5. Swollen glands: list areas____ 6. Sore throat 7. Testicular pain/pelvic pain 8. Unexplained menstrual irregularity 9. Unexplained milk production: breast pain 10.Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction 11.Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido 12.Upset stomach 13.Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea 14.Chest pain or rib soreness 15.Shortness of breath, cough 16.Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block 17.Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? 18.Joint pain or swelling: list joints_____________ 19.Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back 20.Muscle pain or cramps 21.Twitching of the face or other muscles 22.Headache 23.Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain 24.Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains 25.Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) 26.Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity 27.Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity 28.lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance 29.Lightheadedness, wooziness 30.Tremor 31.Confusion, difficulty in thinking 32.Diffculty with concentration, reading 33.Forgetfuiness, poor short term memory 34.Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places 35.Difficulty with speech or writing 36.Mood swings, irritability, depression 37.Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening 38.Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Welcome to Lymenet! Sorry you are sick, but you have come to the right place to get answers to your questions. People on this board are very helpful and they really do try to give good advice.
Everyone's situation is different and there is no one treatment that works for everyone. Ask as many questions as you need to and keep reading and researching.
You know your body better than anyone else does. Glad you didn't give up searching for the cause of your health problems. The depression/anxiety is just another symptom of lyme disease -- glad you didn't believe all the psycho babble. If you are like hubby the sickness came first and then the anxiety/depression (especially after the G.I. issues) -- but try telling that to a psychologist/psychiatrist!!!
Hubby went through a very similar situation and all the psych meds including seizure meds were no help and only made him feel worse while his physical symptoms continued to progress.
This is just my opinion, but I would stay with your pcp and also start looking for an LLMD. You are really lucky to have found a good pcp and most LLMD's will also require that you have a pcp as well. The LLMD can advise your pcp about antibiotics and will know more about coinfections. As long as your pcp is willing to learn he can be an asset.
Most people with long-term Lyme disease have other tick-borne illnesses as well -- babesia, bartonella and ehrlichia are the most common. It is also not uncommon to have other viral illnesses as well as the Lyme stresses out your immune system.
In my opinion, it requires both antibiotics and natural treatments such as herbs and nutritional supplements to really beat this disease.
The elevated bilirubin could be caused by a number of things including babesia. This is one of those "functional" things that a lot of general MD's will ignore if the other liver enzymes are in the normal range. Possibilities include a blockage in the gallbladder or ducts (stones or "sludge") or a rapid breakdown of red blood cells.
Nausea goes hand in hand with gallbladder issues. Hubby has major problems with nausea/dry heaves and most prescription antinausea meds do not help. Of course G.I. parasites are also another possibility, especially when one is taking antibiotics.
Good luck and be sure to read Dr B's guidelines and the other links posted by Lymetoo.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Hi Angie, Welcome to LymeNet! Sorry you're having so much to deal with, but glad you found Flash Discussion.
I agree with the excellent advice you were given by Lymetoo & Bea.
You're blessed to have a dr who will treat Lyme. What dose of Doxy are you taking per day?
Antibiotics kill the good bacteria along with the bad. It is necessary to replenish the good bacteria with Acidophilus (high quality from the health food store). Are you taking Acidophilus to replace the good bacteria in your system?
Be sure to have at least 2 hours between antibiotics (abx) & acidophilus - before & after - or it won't be able to work.
Drink lots of water. Some drs say with a squeeze of lemon juice in the glass.
I recommend that you print Dr B's "Diag Hints & Treatment Guidelines..." www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html Your dr should find it interesting, informative, & helpful. Great Info!!!
Haven't had a chance to read the newer version. It'll be excellent, too.
I hope that your dr will be willing to work with a Lyme Literate Med Dr (LLMD) to treat your Lyme disease.
Go to Seeking a Dr here on LymeNet & put your location in the title. Contact info will be sent to you (personal message).
Also, on the left, check Support Groups in your state & surrounding states. Another good source of info.
Keep in touch & ask as many questions as you need to ask.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I am on 500 mg. of doxy 2 x day. I also take probiotics 2 x day, multivitamins and 1000 mg. vit. C to try to keep my immune system up. How do you know if you will ever get rid of this? Some info I read says that you don't and some does. Do the nerological symptoms ever go away? Those are the symptoms that seem to really keep hanging on. Is tightness in your chest and a chocking feeling a symptom also? I don't mean to ask so many questions but I don't know a whole lot. As for my bilirubin I have had a hideascan and there was nothing wrong with my gallbladder. Thank you for your input it is so nice to talk to people who understand and care. Angie
Posts: 19 | From Washington | Registered: Oct 2005
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