posted
Hi. I just joined this forum and wanted to introduce myself. I was diagnosed with Lyme (no coinfections) two weeks ago and am pretty overwhelmed. I had been through many doctors and many provisional diagnoses that were ruled out - MS, sarcoidosis, temporal arteritis, transverse myelitis, and a host of other things. My favorite was an anxiety disorder. I have never been anxious before until my body started going haywire 8 months ago. I read about lyme and saw a show on it on TV and started asking the doctors. Three had actually already tested me for it - but using the ELISA test and I was negative. I had MRIs, EMGs, ABCs. My symptoms were: urinary incontinence,, urgency and frequency, numbness and tingling in feet, hands, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in the back of my neck, horrible burning intermittant pain in my legs, arms, and pelvic area, memory problems, leg weakness, muscle cramping, eye and finger twitching, and anxiety from not knowing what was wrong with me and imagining all the possibilities. I found a dr. who treats lyme and she sent my labs to igenex and lo and behold - I'm positive. I'm on oral Ceftin and am trying to make the decision about IV Rocephin which she wants to order. My insurance does not cover home health care and probably not the abx either from what I have read. I'm still in a little bit of disbelief that I actually have it because of all the controverly I've read of, but I want to have something to fight, so in a way I want to believe it. I'm glad to have joined your forum and look forward to learning lots and comiserating with all of you. Lizzie
Posts: 5 | From Houston, TX | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Lizzie,
Glad you found your way to Lymenet and introduced yourself! Also glad you were able to persist and find out what's wrong with you; that's the first step in healing.
I just wanted to put in my bid for oral ceftin. I've been on it ever since I started treatment in June, 2005. I had a hard herx but finally began to heal. I'm now well enough to be back at work fulltime.
I suspect I might have healed more quickly had I gone on IV abx, but my LLMD suggested this route, and I agreed. I haven't regretted the decision.
I also want to make sure you're aware of treating co-infections, in addition to Lyme.
Anyway, welcome and keep us posted about your progress.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Welcome!
Night sweats indicate babesia and tests for babesia are known for false negatives. My LLMD is treating me for babs based on my nights sweats and air hunger even though my tests are negative ... babs is a clinical diagnosis. You might want to talk to your doctor about this because coinfections need to be treated first.
It sounds like you have done your research. I discovered myself that I had Lyme, too.
My doc prefers oral antibiotics, so I don't have any advice about the IV, I don't know much about it. I'm on a boatload of orals.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Hey Lizzie, nice to meet you. Hang around and read as many of the posts as you can.
If you're on antibiotics, you'll need to learn about candida, detoxing, and supplements.
Have you had a chance to look at the newbie help links? Heh, that'll keep you busy for a while.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
welcome lizzie to the board and our chronic lyme world!
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, and you have certainly been doing your homework to have posted such a detailed intro so we know what you've done and not done to date! congrats on a well done intro!!
i'll send you a PM, private message, with my 51 pages of newbie lyme links, advise, symptoms, ssdi disability info, etc. and it includes TREEPATROL'S MASSIVE LYME ARCHIVES of wonderful links of around 1,000+ !! yes, you will be busy.
use the SEARCH function shown at the top to type in what you arelooking for; works great now!
medical questions is in medical;
support ... do you need to unload, need encouragement, or talk about NON-MEDICAL LYME issues ... post in support
activism ... read on how you CAN HELP us with lyme political bills in congress, your individual state, writng newspapers, helping dr. jones...our no. 1 kids lyme dr. brought up on charges by conn. health dept. to take away his license, etc.
computer questions go in computer, etc.
now i'll send you my newbie stuff before my lyme brain forgets!
IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
W E L C O M E !*)!*)!*)*! !*)*!)!)!*)!*)!*!)*!)*!)!*!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
Wow. I feel very warmly welcomed. I will set about reading this evening. I am still working, though at about 1/2 time, so that is taking up all my energy during the day. Should I also post an introduction on the medical forum, or just on one?
Posts: 5 | From Houston, TX | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
I too was diagnosed with "an anxiety disorder". I was not anxious before my body started going haywire either.
I know what you mean. As scary as it is to be told you have Lyme,at least you finally know what you have.
Hang in there. There are some great people on this site who will help.
Posts: 237 | From WV | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
lizzie, here is good enough.
if you have a medical question, then post there and then you can introduce yourself at that time.
we have around 1000 people who come here within 24 hrs. so ONE post is enough due to volume.
IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
p.s. IV Rocephin gave me back my life!! Wonderful stuff for me!*)!*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best wishes-!!!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic