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22 yr old male Lymes?
Hello all,
Im going to make this a very short version and include links to other posts ive made if you wish to further your reading.
I am a 22 yr old caucasian male in the military. I have had quite alot of testing done lately for worsening symptoms and arrival of new symptoms. None of the symptoms seem to be consistent with anything I eat, drink, use on my skin, breath, how stressed, or how much sleep i get.
Here is a short symptoms list:
Hypersensitivity of skin
neck ache/pains
neck pops/cracks
upper back pain (feels like inflammation all the time sometimes worsens more than others)
lower back pain left side (low as in sacral area)
pain in left hip joint
"plantar fascitis" in right foot
temporary loss of sensation to pain (outsides of arms and legs)
permanent decrease in sensation in left foot in small area
Inflammation in white area of eyes (pic in profile)
eye redness all the time / watery eyes
constipation and diarreha (stool past few weeks: dark, tarry, thick but soft consistency, very foul smell)
randomized muscle spasms
Orthostatic Intolerance (hypertension throughout the day sitting and standing, hypotension when laying down and when sleeping)
"Erectile Dysfunction" or so they call it
Im going to stop there
testing my doc has done has mostly ranged around the basics.. mostly has tried seeing if i have an STD and HIV, checking glucose levels, checking for heart attacks lately because of "episodes" ive been having. Stress tests, 24 heart monitors, EKGs, injections in the back to numb pain nothing has worked. I asked him about testing for Lymes he did the ELISA test when alot of these problems started happening but it came up NEGATIVE.
the episodes started happening more and more frequently each week.
So I went ahead and made an appointment with a Lymes specialist.
Before testing after explaining all this. He says
"I believe I know whats happening here. You may have Lymes but with that have 2 possible co-infections causing a few of the other pains. 1 is called Bartonella the other is called Babesia. First I want to get 2 labs done first. (labs in album)
IGeneX Western Blot IgM, I hit 3 of 5 of the DOUBLE STARRED bands with IND (23-25, 39, 41) . So it still came out NEGATIVE.
the IgG, I hit very POSITIVE on 31, IND on 34, and POSTIVE on 41. So came out POSITIVE for IGeneX criteria but NEGATIVE for CDC criteria.
With this test he ordered a bartonella microscopy test. Which came back showing "Few coccobacilli adherent to erythrocytes" which says "suggestive of hemobartonella or hemoplasma".
My primary care doctor is arguing these labs, saying he still doesnt think its it, started talking about the labs references and how they dont mean anything.
I just had a cd57 test done today so Ill be waiting on those results as well.
anyone have any input or better test suggestions to have this ruled out?
The Lymes specialist also ordered Babesia test and put me on antibiotics and wants to run an IgeneX Western Blot IgM test again.
links to other posts for more reading
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Brain-Pituitary-Tumors/small-2mm-hyperintense/show/921546?personal_page_id=513007&post_id=post_4728586
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Gastroenterology/Stool-problems/show/1016766?personal_page_id=513007&post_id=post_4737616
im open for suggestions! thank you
Im going to make this a very short version and include links to other posts ive made if you wish to further your reading.
I am a 22 yr old caucasian male in the military. I have had quite alot of testing done lately for worsening symptoms and arrival of new symptoms. None of the symptoms seem to be consistent with anything I eat, drink, use on my skin, breath, how stressed, or how much sleep i get.
Here is a short symptoms list:
Hypersensitivity of skin
neck ache/pains
neck pops/cracks
upper back pain (feels like inflammation all the time sometimes worsens more than others)
lower back pain left side (low as in sacral area)
pain in left hip joint
"plantar fascitis" in right foot
temporary loss of sensation to pain (outsides of arms and legs)
permanent decrease in sensation in left foot in small area
Inflammation in white area of eyes (pic in profile)
eye redness all the time / watery eyes
constipation and diarreha (stool past few weeks: dark, tarry, thick but soft consistency, very foul smell)
randomized muscle spasms
Orthostatic Intolerance (hypertension throughout the day sitting and standing, hypotension when laying down and when sleeping)
"Erectile Dysfunction" or so they call it
Im going to stop there
testing my doc has done has mostly ranged around the basics.. mostly has tried seeing if i have an STD and HIV, checking glucose levels, checking for heart attacks lately because of "episodes" ive been having. Stress tests, 24 heart monitors, EKGs, injections in the back to numb pain nothing has worked. I asked him about testing for Lymes he did the ELISA test when alot of these problems started happening but it came up NEGATIVE.
the episodes started happening more and more frequently each week.
So I went ahead and made an appointment with a Lymes specialist.
Before testing after explaining all this. He says
"I believe I know whats happening here. You may have Lymes but with that have 2 possible co-infections causing a few of the other pains. 1 is called Bartonella the other is called Babesia. First I want to get 2 labs done first. (labs in album)
IGeneX Western Blot IgM, I hit 3 of 5 of the DOUBLE STARRED bands with IND (23-25, 39, 41) . So it still came out NEGATIVE.
the IgG, I hit very POSITIVE on 31, IND on 34, and POSTIVE on 41. So came out POSITIVE for IGeneX criteria but NEGATIVE for CDC criteria.
With this test he ordered a bartonella microscopy test. Which came back showing "Few coccobacilli adherent to erythrocytes" which says "suggestive of hemobartonella or hemoplasma".
My primary care doctor is arguing these labs, saying he still doesnt think its it, started talking about the labs references and how they dont mean anything.
I just had a cd57 test done today so Ill be waiting on those results as well.
anyone have any input or better test suggestions to have this ruled out?
The Lymes specialist also ordered Babesia test and put me on antibiotics and wants to run an IgeneX Western Blot IgM test again.
links to other posts for more reading
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Brain-Pituitary-Tumors/small-2mm-hyperintense/show/921546?personal_page_id=513007&post_id=post_4728586
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Gastroenterology/Stool-problems/show/1016766?personal_page_id=513007&post_id=post_4737616
im open for suggestions! thank you
I wont go back over all the symptoms I was having on a daily basis. But after about a week on antibiotics I already started noticing some of them going away, which my doctor could not explain. I was on triple antibiotics for 2 months straight had to stop for 3 weeks for a specialists lab testing then continued 1 more month it did bring down some of the "scary" symptoms i was having that came out of no where. HIGH blood pressure and high pulse at random times even while just sitting watching a movie.
ive been off antibiotics for almost 4 to 5 months now and have noticed some of the symptoms have come back.
If you get any antibiotic you ideally want ceftriaxone if you can get it through IV. Suppose to have outstanding results from that for Lyme patients I havent had it but heard of others who had it and they felt amazing after doing it.
ive been off antibiotics for almost 4 to 5 months now and have noticed some of the symptoms have come back.
If you get any antibiotic you ideally want ceftriaxone if you can get it through IV. Suppose to have outstanding results from that for Lyme patients I havent had it but heard of others who had it and they felt amazing after doing it.
I was just reading through these posts. I'm sorry for your predicament. Are you still on abx? Have you seen any further improvement?
Sorry It has been awhile since I have been on.
Well at least someone has a good idea whats going on! Better response than my doctor gave me.
If you dont mind me asking what symptoms have you been experiencing with Chronic Lyme? And what area do you live in?
Well at least someone has a good idea whats going on! Better response than my doctor gave me.
If you dont mind me asking what symptoms have you been experiencing with Chronic Lyme? And what area do you live in?
Hi, all. I just signed up been diagnosed with chronic lyme for a couple months now. I'm in the medical field and have a wealth of knowledge on this hindurance. Hv2laf. you 99% have lyme. the other 1% could possibly be some other virus which is cross reacting with the same auto-antibodies, EBV,CMV,etc. The pain in your hands and feet are due to hypercoagulopathy and autonomic neuropathy. when the hands are cold blood flow decreases to extremities turning your hands pale then as it warms the vessels dilate and blood rushes back in causing them to spasm hence the pain turning them a ruby mottled color. also your probably experiencing some mild herx reaction from the abx.
Easier to just say something like that than to have to prove it to.
Right off the bat I can tell you from first search of strongyloidiasis.
Frequency
United States
"Strongyloidiasis is relatively uncommon. Endemic foci exist in rural areas of the southeastern United States and Appalachia, with prevalence rates close to 4%.3 Infections acquired in the United States, while not usually associated with larva currens, are not clinically silent; the infected individuals usually have a chronic relapsing illness of mild to moderate severity. Among veterans of the US military forces who served in Southeast Asia, the prevalence of larva currens in those with confirmed strongyloidiasis is high, with studies showing a range of 30-90%.4,5 "
I live up Northwest U.S. Have not been out of the country.. I have a better shot at looking for Lyme or even MS.
If it was a parasite, the parasitic antibiotics I was on first for a month would of already fixed this problem. Majority of my symptoms would be gone and a parasite only would count for less than half of the symptoms I have. If this would count for the nausea, Ive had this same nausea on and off for the past 3 years. 3 years of parasites laying eggs in me doubt it. Not with all the lab work ups ive had.
Do appreciate the input though, someone who wants to object to it being Lyme
Right off the bat I can tell you from first search of strongyloidiasis.
Frequency
United States
"Strongyloidiasis is relatively uncommon. Endemic foci exist in rural areas of the southeastern United States and Appalachia, with prevalence rates close to 4%.3 Infections acquired in the United States, while not usually associated with larva currens, are not clinically silent; the infected individuals usually have a chronic relapsing illness of mild to moderate severity. Among veterans of the US military forces who served in Southeast Asia, the prevalence of larva currens in those with confirmed strongyloidiasis is high, with studies showing a range of 30-90%.4,5 "
I live up Northwest U.S. Have not been out of the country.. I have a better shot at looking for Lyme or even MS.
If it was a parasite, the parasitic antibiotics I was on first for a month would of already fixed this problem. Majority of my symptoms would be gone and a parasite only would count for less than half of the symptoms I have. If this would count for the nausea, Ive had this same nausea on and off for the past 3 years. 3 years of parasites laying eggs in me doubt it. Not with all the lab work ups ive had.
Do appreciate the input though, someone who wants to object to it being Lyme
YES
my hands and feet dont have to change color when changing temperture. Ill be at work, inside or like right now. My hands are ICE COLD but color looks fine. Sometimes it will change to a tinted blue color with bright orange spots and they will still be just as cold. Also had noted "decreased sensation to pain" in my hands. Neurologist is going to run a nerve conduction study on me. Havent seen much discoloration of the feet but they do get really cold.
Now with the freezing cold hands I also get heat flushing to. Its kind of random it seems. Ill be at work, working behind a computer. Notice my hands are cold, Ive even asked people I work with to touch my hands and they usually give me weird looks and ask me if im alive. But when noticing that sometimes my core will feel like its on fire. just flushing with heat with the exception of me being a male, its not menopause.. i dont think. lol
my hands and feet dont have to change color when changing temperture. Ill be at work, inside or like right now. My hands are ICE COLD but color looks fine. Sometimes it will change to a tinted blue color with bright orange spots and they will still be just as cold. Also had noted "decreased sensation to pain" in my hands. Neurologist is going to run a nerve conduction study on me. Havent seen much discoloration of the feet but they do get really cold.
Now with the freezing cold hands I also get heat flushing to. Its kind of random it seems. Ill be at work, working behind a computer. Notice my hands are cold, Ive even asked people I work with to touch my hands and they usually give me weird looks and ask me if im alive. But when noticing that sometimes my core will feel like its on fire. just flushing with heat with the exception of me being a male, its not menopause.. i dont think. lol
My extremities stay cold when I am having a flare up of symptoms. The irony is that they feel like they are on fire, whilst being freezing cold at the same time. Not a good feeling. Then, when I put my feet under the electric blanket to warm them up, they feel okay until they actually heat up and then I wake up in agonizing burning pain.
The discoloration sounds a bit like Raynaud's Phenomenon, as you've probably read if you googled your symptoms. It's interesting, not sure if it's Raynauds, but fits. I do have redness when my feet are burning and I'm out in the heat. I also get "hot flashes" like a menopausal woman (I'm 33, so no menopause) and my cheeks flush and I feel terribly hot.
Safe to say you are not alone. :o)
The discoloration sounds a bit like Raynaud's Phenomenon, as you've probably read if you googled your symptoms. It's interesting, not sure if it's Raynauds, but fits. I do have redness when my feet are burning and I'm out in the heat. I also get "hot flashes" like a menopausal woman (I'm 33, so no menopause) and my cheeks flush and I feel terribly hot.
Safe to say you are not alone. :o)
So we are getting into the winter months, its getting colder obviously.
Since it started getting colder I did notice that while outside my hands will turn a light bluish color but not only that I get these "highlighted" looking spots on my hands. They appear orange in color or more of a high area of skin usually rounded in shape. Once I get inside though It seems to go away.
My hands and feet still will get cold while inside, even at times when my core (chest abdomen) feel like they are on fire from all the heat flushing I get.
Since it started getting colder I did notice that while outside my hands will turn a light bluish color but not only that I get these "highlighted" looking spots on my hands. They appear orange in color or more of a high area of skin usually rounded in shape. Once I get inside though It seems to go away.
My hands and feet still will get cold while inside, even at times when my core (chest abdomen) feel like they are on fire from all the heat flushing I get.
Lyme PCR came back NOT DETECTED
wasnt unexpected
will have to try for another Western Blot to see if it comes out more positive
wasnt unexpected
will have to try for another Western Blot to see if it comes out more positive
Ive been doing much better on antibiotics than any other medication they have tried on me.
After starting antibiotics even my daily high blood pressure dropped to where its suppose to be or used to be i should say
After starting antibiotics even my daily high blood pressure dropped to where its suppose to be or used to be i should say
Sorry I can't help you with your lab. results - I was just wondering how you have been doing on the antibiotics?
I had an ELISA test done for Lyme bacteria done back in April 09 It came back negative.
I had a Lyme Western Blot done by Igenex in mid JULY 09 that came back the following:
IgM:
**22-25kDa ... IND
**39 kDa ... IND
**41 kDa .... IND
IgG:
**31kDa .... +++
**34kDa ... IND
**41kDa ... +
Had a Bartonella blood stain done by Fry Labs in JULY 09, notes were as follows.
NOTES: Few coccobacilli adherent to erythrocytes - indicated by yellow arrow(s). This is suggestive of Hemobartonella(1) or Hemoplasma(2)
Had a HNK1 lab done by LabCorp in AUGUST 09
% CD8/CD57+ Lymphs .... 6
Abs. CD8-CD57+ Lymphs... 168
The problem is my Lyme specialist believes it is Lyme, the rest of my doctors and specialists dont know, wont say anything in regards to Lyme, or just dont care to test to see.
Can anyone read these tests and give me an opinion based on their experience so I can decide how I want to continue. I dont know If maybe Im just cross reacting with other possible bacteria or maybe even a virus since my Lymphs are swollen. I have MANY labs uploaded into my album. I have so many symptoms and my thyroid TSH levels and cortisol levels keep fluctuating from low to normal.
I got my primary care doctor to order another Lyme test. I asked for another western blot in hopes to see if id come out more positive because Ive been on antibiotics since JULY. When I got my blood drawn though the lab technician told me he was pretty sure the doctor ordered a Lyme PCR.
My question is how likely would I have a shot to have that lab show positive for Lyme while on antibiotics?
Im guess whether the bacteria is dead or not it still would show, IF its in my blood they drew?
Im just trying to figure out what to do. I have doctors and CDC saying they dont think its Lyme but the Lyme specialist is the ONLY official and confident diagnosis Ive had.
Im open for any interpretations. ive had quite a workup so ask away or enlighten me some more on the subject
I had a Lyme Western Blot done by Igenex in mid JULY 09 that came back the following:
IgM:
**22-25kDa ... IND
**39 kDa ... IND
**41 kDa .... IND
IgG:
**31kDa .... +++
**34kDa ... IND
**41kDa ... +
Had a Bartonella blood stain done by Fry Labs in JULY 09, notes were as follows.
NOTES: Few coccobacilli adherent to erythrocytes - indicated by yellow arrow(s). This is suggestive of Hemobartonella(1) or Hemoplasma(2)
Had a HNK1 lab done by LabCorp in AUGUST 09
% CD8/CD57+ Lymphs .... 6
Abs. CD8-CD57+ Lymphs... 168
The problem is my Lyme specialist believes it is Lyme, the rest of my doctors and specialists dont know, wont say anything in regards to Lyme, or just dont care to test to see.
Can anyone read these tests and give me an opinion based on their experience so I can decide how I want to continue. I dont know If maybe Im just cross reacting with other possible bacteria or maybe even a virus since my Lymphs are swollen. I have MANY labs uploaded into my album. I have so many symptoms and my thyroid TSH levels and cortisol levels keep fluctuating from low to normal.
I got my primary care doctor to order another Lyme test. I asked for another western blot in hopes to see if id come out more positive because Ive been on antibiotics since JULY. When I got my blood drawn though the lab technician told me he was pretty sure the doctor ordered a Lyme PCR.
My question is how likely would I have a shot to have that lab show positive for Lyme while on antibiotics?
Im guess whether the bacteria is dead or not it still would show, IF its in my blood they drew?
Im just trying to figure out what to do. I have doctors and CDC saying they dont think its Lyme but the Lyme specialist is the ONLY official and confident diagnosis Ive had.
Im open for any interpretations. ive had quite a workup so ask away or enlighten me some more on the subject
Ive just received back a few labs I had done within the past week.
I had my thyroid checked again because the first time we initially did it, it was normal, the 2nd time it came out LOW and this time it came out LOW again.
Range being 0.34 - 4.82 for TSH
mine was 0.25
FT4 fell in normal range 0.56 -1.40
mine was 0.67
T3 Free normal range 230-420
Mine was 324
Waiting on Vitamin B results and serotonin
I will see my endocrinologist on the 1st of Oct.
I had my thyroid checked again because the first time we initially did it, it was normal, the 2nd time it came out LOW and this time it came out LOW again.
Range being 0.34 - 4.82 for TSH
mine was 0.25
FT4 fell in normal range 0.56 -1.40
mine was 0.67
T3 Free normal range 230-420
Mine was 324
Waiting on Vitamin B results and serotonin
I will see my endocrinologist on the 1st of Oct.
Steroids suppress the immune system. They clear out inflammation, which is why they can make you feel much better. But in the case of an active Lyme infection, the source of the inflammation is the immune system. Knocking out the immune system creates short-term symptom relief, but is actually very bad for the underlying cause.
So if you have Lyme or any infection, steroids weaken your immune system which allows the infection to get much worse. I felt amazingly better shortly after my steroid treatment, due to the cleared inflammation. But in the months that followed, I became very sick and too weak to work full time anymore. My deterioration was much more rapid after the steroids than before.
Everyone is different, this may not happen to you, and I hope that it does not.
Most mainstream doctors also do not trust the validity of Igenex/Fry labs, and it is common for Lyme patients requiring a clinical diagnosis and/or more than 1 month of treatment to seek care from Lyme doctors who do not participate in insurance.
I also had negative ELISAs and all of my doctors through insurance denied that Lyme could be affecting me. I see an LLMD outside of insurance and pay out of pocket.
So if you have Lyme or any infection, steroids weaken your immune system which allows the infection to get much worse. I felt amazingly better shortly after my steroid treatment, due to the cleared inflammation. But in the months that followed, I became very sick and too weak to work full time anymore. My deterioration was much more rapid after the steroids than before.
Everyone is different, this may not happen to you, and I hope that it does not.
Most mainstream doctors also do not trust the validity of Igenex/Fry labs, and it is common for Lyme patients requiring a clinical diagnosis and/or more than 1 month of treatment to seek care from Lyme doctors who do not participate in insurance.
I also had negative ELISAs and all of my doctors through insurance denied that Lyme could be affecting me. I see an LLMD outside of insurance and pay out of pocket.
So the best way would be to get a bartonella antibody test since ive been on antibiotics to fight the co-infections and not Lyme.
Wait till I have been on the Lyme Antibiotic Minocycline for a month or two then redo the Lyme IgM Western Blot?
If this is Lyme which is seems like it so far, I need to get it to show more positive so I can get my primary doc to get the referrals I need to continue treatment with this Lyme Specialist that way I can get my insurance to cover everything. Getting quite expensive you know!
Wait till I have been on the Lyme Antibiotic Minocycline for a month or two then redo the Lyme IgM Western Blot?
If this is Lyme which is seems like it so far, I need to get it to show more positive so I can get my primary doc to get the referrals I need to continue treatment with this Lyme Specialist that way I can get my insurance to cover everything. Getting quite expensive you know!
Your western blot could me more positive after taking antibiotics. Some physicians will order an antibiotic challenge then redo the test. When the bacteria dies and releases toxins the body may start making antibodies.
I would think at the very least a bartonella test should be performed since the other test indicated this. I would ask for a bartonella test from your doctor. Maybe he or she will approve of it if it's sent to a lab that he is familiar with.
I would think at the very least a bartonella test should be performed since the other test indicated this. I would ask for a bartonella test from your doctor. Maybe he or she will approve of it if it's sent to a lab that he is familiar with.
My Lyme specialist didnt know about the corticosteroids. It was an ER visit that they gave it to me on.
What do you mean your "health was devastated by steroid treatment"? After they gave them to me at the ER it seemed to help out at least with back pain.
The problem arises with this.
I am in the military. My primary doctor for military does not believe its Lyme. They did the ELISA test because I asked them to do a test for Lyme even though they didnt believe it was they based on the fact that I havent been to the East coast. After it came back negative he wont even consider Lyme what so ever. The other problem, Igenex and Fry Labs are not Labs military medicine uses so when you show them the results from those labs they just look at you funny and say "Im sorry I dont know what this is, its not a legitimate lab..etc." My Fry Lab showed a few bacteria around in my blood. Some outside the blood, some inside the blood cells. My doctor said the lab isnt FDA approved and the listed references are all zoonotic or research on animals not humans. Though the lab notes say "this is suggestive of hemobartonella"
The only thing my primary doctor believes is that im having muscle spasms and panic attacks. Believes I am completely healthy and to fix it I should take my Xanax when I have the "panic attack" episodes.
My Lyme specialist has me on Omnicef and Levaquin. Also he just put me on Minocycline but i have not started yet. I have to get some labs for military side done so I have to wait to start them.
So after being on antibiotics for a month or two if i were to redo my IgM Western Blot. would it or should it show more positive? I need something to show positive enough that the military would acknowledge. Positive enough to hit CDC standards should be enough to put up more of a fight with Tricare about this.
The other problem is.. I am paying for all the Lyme treatment and appointments myself. My insurance wont cover it because my primary doc wont refer me to the specialist.
what can you do? lol
What do you mean your "health was devastated by steroid treatment"? After they gave them to me at the ER it seemed to help out at least with back pain.
The problem arises with this.
I am in the military. My primary doctor for military does not believe its Lyme. They did the ELISA test because I asked them to do a test for Lyme even though they didnt believe it was they based on the fact that I havent been to the East coast. After it came back negative he wont even consider Lyme what so ever. The other problem, Igenex and Fry Labs are not Labs military medicine uses so when you show them the results from those labs they just look at you funny and say "Im sorry I dont know what this is, its not a legitimate lab..etc." My Fry Lab showed a few bacteria around in my blood. Some outside the blood, some inside the blood cells. My doctor said the lab isnt FDA approved and the listed references are all zoonotic or research on animals not humans. Though the lab notes say "this is suggestive of hemobartonella"
The only thing my primary doctor believes is that im having muscle spasms and panic attacks. Believes I am completely healthy and to fix it I should take my Xanax when I have the "panic attack" episodes.
My Lyme specialist has me on Omnicef and Levaquin. Also he just put me on Minocycline but i have not started yet. I have to get some labs for military side done so I have to wait to start them.
So after being on antibiotics for a month or two if i were to redo my IgM Western Blot. would it or should it show more positive? I need something to show positive enough that the military would acknowledge. Positive enough to hit CDC standards should be enough to put up more of a fight with Tricare about this.
The other problem is.. I am paying for all the Lyme treatment and appointments myself. My insurance wont cover it because my primary doc wont refer me to the specialist.
what can you do? lol
Did/does your Lyme specialist know about the steroids? As JackieCalifornia notes, they are a big no-no for Lyme patients. My health was devastated by steroid treatment. Sure, the anti-inflammatory action made me feel cured...for about a week.
I've been in the "too many cooks in the kitchen" scenario before, where one doc contradicts the other and the patient is caught in the middle. That appears to be an issue in your case. Just my 2 cents.
I saw your Igenex results posted. You've got more bands than me. I was IgG 39+ 41+++, and IgM 41+. Always negative on ELISA (3 times, months between each). Spinal fluid was negative for Lyme. My Fry labs smear showed moderate Bart, but my other co-infection testing was negative. I've had an obvious response to long-term combination antibiotic treatment.
Anxiety can surely make any problem worse, and it goes hand-in-hand with Lyme. I have no history of anxiety, but have had small panic attacks and other anxiety symptoms in response to Lyme treatment. Thankfully this has improved a great deal, but was a very real problem for me. Treating the cause and not the symptom seems to be working.
Your symptoms sound very much like Lyme, and it seems you've been tested thoroughly for other conditions. Are you considering Lyme treatment?
I've been in the "too many cooks in the kitchen" scenario before, where one doc contradicts the other and the patient is caught in the middle. That appears to be an issue in your case. Just my 2 cents.
I saw your Igenex results posted. You've got more bands than me. I was IgG 39+ 41+++, and IgM 41+. Always negative on ELISA (3 times, months between each). Spinal fluid was negative for Lyme. My Fry labs smear showed moderate Bart, but my other co-infection testing was negative. I've had an obvious response to long-term combination antibiotic treatment.
Anxiety can surely make any problem worse, and it goes hand-in-hand with Lyme. I have no history of anxiety, but have had small panic attacks and other anxiety symptoms in response to Lyme treatment. Thankfully this has improved a great deal, but was a very real problem for me. Treating the cause and not the symptom seems to be working.
Your symptoms sound very much like Lyme, and it seems you've been tested thoroughly for other conditions. Are you considering Lyme treatment?
Hi Jackie,
My Lyme specialist diagnosed me with Chronic Lyme based on clinical symptoms as well as my Western Blot. I was not CDC positive. Though he also said it may not be a active infection but he believes I have Chronic Lyme with co-infections of Bartonella and Babesia at the least.
From what HAS been ruled out already and what they know so far is this.
Im 22 yrs old with some form of arthritis in my spine. Degeneration of joints. In my SI joints as well.
I have unknown cause for inguinal/testicular pain diagnosed as varicocele and erectile dysfunction but Levitra doesnt even help that problem out. Varicocele does not explain the pain they told me.
No to hernias, no tumors, no cancer, no diabetes, no HIV, no syphilis, no HLA-B27, no Rheumatoid factor, no high cholesterol, no family history of any medical problems.
Prior to 26MARCH2009 I had already complained of the following in order from last to recent up to that date.
"gastroenteritis"
back pain
"upper respitory infection"
ankle joint pain
pain in hip and knee
needle pains in feet in the morning, "plantar fascitis" was diag. right foot still problem
on and off flu symptoms occasional
constant fatigue
lightheadedness/vertigo
TMJ
sleep problems/broken up sleep in 3 hr increments/sleeping too much but still tired
Low left side back pain
esophagael reflux/gerd
abdominal pain lower left quadrant
Inguinal pain/testicular pain
Problems with short term memory
After 26MARCH2009 these "episodes" happen.
Temporary Loss of sensation in outside of arms, legs and back
High blood pressure
tremors
body wide spasms mostly in back
chest pain / chest "electric shock sensation"
feeling of going to pass out
paleness
weakness in legs
sudden burning in the eyes and throat.
sudden shortness of breath
ER docs cant tell me anything. Primary doc believes im having panic attacks, anxiety, or am just really stressed. They were months apart, started getting closer together between times they happened. Usually in the evening would happen when I was off work at home. On the phone with a friend, on the weekend in the movie theater in the middle of a movie, or just walking out to my car.
Blood pressure goes up to about 162/121 heartrate will jump as well at that reading was 122.
My blood pressure used to level out to normal at bed time around 110/70 , now it just drops down around 89/45 hr at about 49 and I wake up with headaches, chest pain, bad nausea on raising up out of bed. My doc says this blood pressure is in the normal range but ER doc says its low. With the low blood pressure when that started up around the same week I started having "sleep paralysis" where I would wake up before my body wakes up and cant move anything. I now have episcleritis in my eyes. Light sensitivity with it of course. Started getting yellow hue to my eyes they said wasnt my liver so it must be fatty build up in my eyes but I have low cholesterol.
Anyways, the episodes are not regular. I can try and get myself in panic mode where i feel anxious or I just sometimes feel like its about to happen and it doesnt. Other times like this last time. It was missing a few of the usual symptoms that were always present first like the "shock" in my chest but it happened when i least expected it.
I honestly dont know if it is Lyme, I have no history of anxiety nor do I feel anxious at all when these episodes begin. I do get anxiety or panic when the difficulty in breathing happens of course. who wouldnt?
Not saying its not anxiety, but in my personal opinion. Anxiety seems like a contributer but not something thats initially starting this.
Besides Lyme Ive been looking into things like Aorta problems since I have back problems as well.
My lower back pain has increased GREATLY since my last episode on the 29th of AUG. Starting yesterday Ive been having a "tingling" above my upper lip but below my nostrils. its just on and off, throughout the day. Its not numb and doesnt seem to be any loss of sensation just a funny feeling tingle.
My Lyme specialist diagnosed me with Chronic Lyme based on clinical symptoms as well as my Western Blot. I was not CDC positive. Though he also said it may not be a active infection but he believes I have Chronic Lyme with co-infections of Bartonella and Babesia at the least.
From what HAS been ruled out already and what they know so far is this.
Im 22 yrs old with some form of arthritis in my spine. Degeneration of joints. In my SI joints as well.
I have unknown cause for inguinal/testicular pain diagnosed as varicocele and erectile dysfunction but Levitra doesnt even help that problem out. Varicocele does not explain the pain they told me.
No to hernias, no tumors, no cancer, no diabetes, no HIV, no syphilis, no HLA-B27, no Rheumatoid factor, no high cholesterol, no family history of any medical problems.
Prior to 26MARCH2009 I had already complained of the following in order from last to recent up to that date.
"gastroenteritis"
back pain
"upper respitory infection"
ankle joint pain
pain in hip and knee
needle pains in feet in the morning, "plantar fascitis" was diag. right foot still problem
on and off flu symptoms occasional
constant fatigue
lightheadedness/vertigo
TMJ
sleep problems/broken up sleep in 3 hr increments/sleeping too much but still tired
Low left side back pain
esophagael reflux/gerd
abdominal pain lower left quadrant
Inguinal pain/testicular pain
Problems with short term memory
After 26MARCH2009 these "episodes" happen.
Temporary Loss of sensation in outside of arms, legs and back
High blood pressure
tremors
body wide spasms mostly in back
chest pain / chest "electric shock sensation"
feeling of going to pass out
paleness
weakness in legs
sudden burning in the eyes and throat.
sudden shortness of breath
ER docs cant tell me anything. Primary doc believes im having panic attacks, anxiety, or am just really stressed. They were months apart, started getting closer together between times they happened. Usually in the evening would happen when I was off work at home. On the phone with a friend, on the weekend in the movie theater in the middle of a movie, or just walking out to my car.
Blood pressure goes up to about 162/121 heartrate will jump as well at that reading was 122.
My blood pressure used to level out to normal at bed time around 110/70 , now it just drops down around 89/45 hr at about 49 and I wake up with headaches, chest pain, bad nausea on raising up out of bed. My doc says this blood pressure is in the normal range but ER doc says its low. With the low blood pressure when that started up around the same week I started having "sleep paralysis" where I would wake up before my body wakes up and cant move anything. I now have episcleritis in my eyes. Light sensitivity with it of course. Started getting yellow hue to my eyes they said wasnt my liver so it must be fatty build up in my eyes but I have low cholesterol.
Anyways, the episodes are not regular. I can try and get myself in panic mode where i feel anxious or I just sometimes feel like its about to happen and it doesnt. Other times like this last time. It was missing a few of the usual symptoms that were always present first like the "shock" in my chest but it happened when i least expected it.
I honestly dont know if it is Lyme, I have no history of anxiety nor do I feel anxious at all when these episodes begin. I do get anxiety or panic when the difficulty in breathing happens of course. who wouldnt?
Not saying its not anxiety, but in my personal opinion. Anxiety seems like a contributer but not something thats initially starting this.
Besides Lyme Ive been looking into things like Aorta problems since I have back problems as well.
My lower back pain has increased GREATLY since my last episode on the 29th of AUG. Starting yesterday Ive been having a "tingling" above my upper lip but below my nostrils. its just on and off, throughout the day. Its not numb and doesnt seem to be any loss of sensation just a funny feeling tingle.
I haven't been able to follow your data, so I'm not clear on what's going on, but if you have Lyme, taking steroids can be a problem because it suppresses your immune system when your immune system is supposed to be fighting the Lyme. Like standing down the troops in the middle of battle. It's uphill out of the trenches after that.
That has happened to some here, not to me, so I can't speak to it directly. But you gotta do what you gotta do, and if you didn't have any ill effects from the steroids, maybe your underlying ailment isn't Lyme? Just a thought.
*I'm not a doctor, and I don't even play one on TV.*
That has happened to some here, not to me, so I can't speak to it directly. But you gotta do what you gotta do, and if you didn't have any ill effects from the steroids, maybe your underlying ailment isn't Lyme? Just a thought.
*I'm not a doctor, and I don't even play one on TV.*
My RPR test was nonreactive
I had my Basic Metabolic Panel was done at around 8am but 3am I was at the hospital for extreme lower back pain and was given corticosteroids and motrin to reduce inflammation. My glucose came out to 145 when it was done. Didnt eat anything for 13 hours besides taking those two meds 5 hours before getting it done.
I had my Basic Metabolic Panel was done at around 8am but 3am I was at the hospital for extreme lower back pain and was given corticosteroids and motrin to reduce inflammation. My glucose came out to 145 when it was done. Didnt eat anything for 13 hours besides taking those two meds 5 hours before getting it done.
I can't view your pictures from this computer to look at your labs, but I'll try later on another computer:)
So as you all know Ive been keeping an eye on my eyes.
This morning at work while in the bathroom after feeling "weird" sensations and at the same time smelling odd smells then they went away. I went to use the bathroom and while looking in the mirror was inspecting my eyes again. The inside of my RIGHT eye is yellowing. Its a light yellow and is only on the inside portion has not moved elsewhere.
The sensations I get are continuing. One of the sensation is a very COLD feeling underneath the lower side of my LEFT rib cage.
Question what are things that fit my symptoms that would cause this?
Also, I am on antibiotics would they cause it?
Thank you
This morning at work while in the bathroom after feeling "weird" sensations and at the same time smelling odd smells then they went away. I went to use the bathroom and while looking in the mirror was inspecting my eyes again. The inside of my RIGHT eye is yellowing. Its a light yellow and is only on the inside portion has not moved elsewhere.
The sensations I get are continuing. One of the sensation is a very COLD feeling underneath the lower side of my LEFT rib cage.
Question what are things that fit my symptoms that would cause this?
Also, I am on antibiotics would they cause it?
Thank you
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