Lyme disease!!! I beg you for help!

[luvemma]

Hello,

I am an 18 years old female. I recently done a Tilt Table Test and showed that I have minor nervous system dysfunction.
Of course, I had to figure out all by myself what is wrong with me, and kept pushing the doctor to let me do that test. Okay, so my nervous system is a little messed up, but I knew there is a cause behind it. There has to be a cause!
Since I want to go to medical school, I knew a little about lyme. I also knew it can cause nervous system problems though I did not look into it any further due to the fact I do not remember having a weird rash, or even being bitten.

Two days ago, I started thinking about how everything started so suddenly, and I remember I went up to a mountain like area
here in California. I remember something bit me on the back of my neck. It felt like a needle going through my skin. Furthermore, my skin felt like it was burning, and I started to sweat. Soon after, the pain went away, and I continued with my trip. This took place around 8 PM. Last june of 2009. I had no problems after, and thought nothing of that strange bite. Three months later, I was walking my best friend to her class, and suddenly I got very dizzy. I fell to the ground. Fast heart beat, vomiting, chest pains, numbness, chills, hot flashes, and so on. Those symptoms followed after my dizziness spill.

I got diagnosed with a bunch of crap. From the flu to ear infections.

My symptoms:
*muscle twitching
*muscle spasms
*irregular heart rate
*headache
*itchy skin
*weak
*I get red patches on my skin once in a while, but they go away fast.
*throat/ear pain
*shortness of breath
*chest pain
*chills
*joint pain
*weak muscles
*eye pain
*frequent headaches
*hot flashes
*burning skin
*lightheaded
* fast heart rate
* constipation and diarrhea
*stomach problems...

i got a fever only once and it was 104

Well, there is much more symptoms than that, but this can sum it up.

I have not been tested for lyme yet, and I know the test is not accurate.
I have Kaiser Insurances, and I cannot see a doctor who is not under that insurances company.
After all, I got college expenses to pay for, and I know my insurance company does not cover any places who are
not Kaiser. To be honest, most doctors I have seen are a bit stupid. What proves that, a person who has no medical experience had to tell them I think something is up with my nervous system.

I walk in a doctor office, and tell them my symptoms. They want to give me pills to treat those symptoms, but what the hell is the point? What is the point in treating a symptom without knowing the cause. That itself will not cure the problem!

Anyway, sorry for this horribly long message. I tend to do that.

I will get to the point.

Based on my symptoms, does that sound like lyme to you?
If the test comes out negative (which I know that the test is not accurate) what should be my next step?
Even though, I might not see a doctor outside my insurance company. Do you know of any doctors who are specialized in Lyme in California? I live In Orange County away from hollywood an hour and half.


Thank you so much.

Emma

[luvemma]

My doctor ordered the Borrelia Burgdorferi Antibody test.

I don't know what details that will give me.

[wonko]

You will need a doctor to sign off on the test.  You may be able to get detailed instructions and advice on what tests to order directly from Igenex, see their website listed below:

http://igenex.com/Website/

[luvemma]

Thanks everyone.
Can you do the Igenex just in a regular doctor office.

[Hope75]

Your next step should be to get an Igenex lab, if Lyme is on the top of your concern list.  I tested negative to three Western Blots.  Once I got an Igenex lab, I tested CDC positive.  Hmmm.  That's just me.  I waited too long to find out about the poor lab tests and I promised that I would tell others how much the conventional labs stink:)

[Jena906]

I thank you for your post. As some are dealing with co-infections and would need some other antibiotic to treat that.  

[kamrynkade]

Hi Emma,

I'm sorry you are dealing with such a medical crisis at 18. But, I have to say, good for you for standing up for yourself.  That will get you a long way with doctors.  So many people are too timid to tell their doctor "what you are telling me makes no sense...something is wrong with me, find out what it is."

Re:The herxing on Doxy.  I didn't herx on Doxy but when my doctor added bactrim  (for bartonella) I had major heart palpitations and constant anxiety.  he switched me to minocycline and I was fine.  However, when he upped the dose, once again I started having horrible heart palps.   Heart palps where my first symptom when all this started a few months ago and it sounds like they are one of your symptoms too.  

[Jena906]

I feel for you. That sounds familar. I would see a dr in your network who you may know is easy to get a 14 day course of doxycycline with 1 refill,  to see if you get a herx (worsening of symptoms) as this is when I knew I finally found, In my mind,  what was wrong with me. I believe if I would of done that back in 2006 or at least before my body was streesed beyond anything I have ever gone through, I would be better off.  As I thought I had some terrible disease and I was dieing back in late 2006.  The several dr's I had seen and spent 20% copay on came up with  several ideas but nothing to back it up with. Just wanted to start betablockers, pain killers, antidepressents etc. NONE of which were what I needed. Now I know for family and friends get doxy for 21 days at first sign of flu like symptoms to avoid adverse effects of lyme. I think after a certain time it does it damage and you then have to learn how to deal.  That's just my thought. Still learning and experimenting with my dr's thoughts and his feed back from the lyme folks on the east coast.
keep us posted.  I found this site a life saver as I was going through the road bumps of lyme disease.  It helps to know other people who believe your not crazy ,and the well you look fine statement is not all in your head.  You feel horrible and if the dr's don't hurry up and start treatment of doxy you won't keep looking fine either and yes you will go crazy due to no one believing you ; ) Hang in there I think your on the right path with all the knowledge on this web site.  It Will get better.  Some days are up and some are down.  or hour by hour.  
Jena

[JackieCalifornia]

I will send you a private message.