I had a pretty bad spell today and I need advice.

Should I see a regular cardiologist?

Or is there a such thing as a Lyme cardiologist so I can post on the dr. forum.

Don't remember your history -- sorry. Are you having palpitations or some other sort of heart symptoms?

Heart problems need to be checked out -- have you had any heart tests such as an echocardiogram or stress EKG/treadmill test?

I would think the best place to start would be a regular cardiologist. Don't know if there are any LLMD cardiologists.

Maybe you should call your LLMD for advice as he/she would know your history. They may be able to recommend a doctor or check with your local primary care doctor if you have one.

If you are not taking it, the best supplement to support cardiac function is COQ10. Many studies to support this and it also helps detox the brain for Lyme patients -- suggested by Dr B on Long Island.

Thank you for your reply.
After posting yesterday I called my LLMD and he wanted me in his office right away.
After running some tests he determined that I was in fact HERXING!
so, so far yesterdays events have a happy ending.
Oh, and the chest pain is actually due to inflammation!

Thank you for the detox info, I've been doing small stuff so far ( eg. baths )
and I've read through some stuff but to be honest it's all a little confusing right now. I'm still trying to figure out what's best?
Thanks again! I'll pick up the coq10 today.
Do they sell it online?

Hope ya feel a little better with this stuff...I know I did......zman

My pulmonologist thinks my shortness of breath is due to a "non-specific inflammatory disorder," which means lyme to me.....

I often feel "popping" inside my chest when I inhale deeply or move around. I am thinking that this may inflammation as well.

Let me know how it goes.

Zman:
I havent gotten the chance to buy anything yet, but any more suggestions before I do are appreciated. do I just eat the parsley?

JohnnyB,
My chest pain has improved. I filled a sock with rice awhile ago and last night I used it on my chest after popping it in the microwave. MUCH better!
I can deal with the palps, but all of the other stuff was kinda scary.

I hope you are both feeling good today!

If it hurts when you press hard on your breastbone, there is a name for this. It is costochondritis and it means there is inflammation where your ribs connect to the chest bone.

My hubby has had this. The first time we thought he might be having real heart pain -- like a heart attack it felt so bad -- went to an urgent care doctor and heart was fine.

This still acts up sometimes, but just when he is herxing really bad. And yes heat usually helps him too.

The suggestions made by zman are all good.
The cordycepts is a mushroom extract -- all the different mushroom supplements are good for improving immune function. Garlic will thin your blood slightly and is also antibacterial. You can just eat parsley or actually buy capsules -- it is a diuretic which means it keeps your body from retaining fluid. The bromelain is a digestive enzyme and it should help with lymphatic flow and some believe it helps the antibiotics penetrate the tissues better -- especially if you take it between meals. All the other things can be taken with meals.

Also, if you are not taking them probiotics -- acidophilus is a must. This will keep you from getting a candida/yeast infection as can happen on longterm antibiotics. Also unsweetened yogurt has the good bacteria in it -- the label should say that it has live bacteria.

Hope you are feeling better today.

Bea,
Yes that's what it is! He pushed on it yesterday and hit two specific spots on either side that hurt.
I started taking acidophilus capsules at night. and I infuse at 4:00. I started at 300mg but was thinking maybe 600mg would be better.
I am slowly trying to get everything I need in, but have to wait until my husband can take me.
How do you coordinate all of this stuff?
also, I seen a 'natural sweetner' on the web. I think it's called sweet leaf. is this something I can use?

This is one time I'm glad for a herx! Good to hear you are a bit better.

I am pretty sure "sweet leaf" is a brand name for the natural herbal sweetener called stevia. Hubby uses this and it works just fine. A little expensive, but much better for you than nutrasweet etc which can cause problems for some people.

It might be better to take acidophilus 2 times daily instead of just 1 big dose. Before bed is good and 1/2 hour before any meal is fine.

It takes a while to work out a schedule if you are not used to taking meds and supplements. Just add in 1 thing at a time so you will know if something doesn't agree with you.

Just keep swimming!

I'm going to get some parsely in and garlic capsules. in with the good, out with the bad!
Thanks!

Bea,
That's exactly it. Stevia. I thought about getting it to make some sun- green tea, and I also found some herbal de-caf coffee!
it's made from nuts and berries and they have all different flavors, so I can sub my columbian and hopefully I won't miss it much.
Thanks again for your advice!
Take care

My Cardiologist is not LL but, she discusses everything with my LL Dr. They work together in the same hospital and I see a trust between them. It is important for all your MDs to be able to talk, if needed. They need to respect your LLMD and to work together.

My LLMD actually has a cardiologist that works in his office. I didn't know of this untill I went for my holter. He started there in Feb and was originally a pt!
Amazing.
Well, I'm Finally going shopping. I'll talk more when I get back.

Thanks! Yes, the palps I have are alot less lately . Now I can concentrate on other things.
How have you been?

Still waiting to hear back on the echo results.

But I still think most my chest twitches are just that: muscle twitches. Magnesium time!

Whenever I had an EKG, my sx seemed to disappear. It's like they knew someone was watching!

I had sx while on the Holter so I'm pretty anxious to see what the results are.

How's the BP?