more questions-headache and lyme

[zzlymegirl]

Hi,

I posted yesterday that I was recently diagnosed with early lyme and am being treated with doxy.  Last night (about 12 days into treatment) i started getting a fever again.  Not nearly as high when I first realized I had lyme.  it went up to 100.7.  it is a little under 100 now.  I also have a very severe headache.  different from usual.  it hurts to move my eyes.  i also caught a cold while recovering so have a separate sickness going on as well.  i'm not sure if the symptoms of fever and headache are related to the lyme or cold/cough.  is this something i need to call the doctor for? i have a follow up next week, but dont know if i need to bring this to his attention sooner.

thanks!

[JackieCalifornia]

I had babesiosis -- it's first cousin to malaria, and comes and goes like malaria as the bugs go through their life cycle.  It does not respond to the same meds as Lyme.

I saw at least one infectious disease MD who missed diagnosing both the Lyme and the babesia, along with about 20 other highly trained docs I saw at some first class medical centers.  Docs just aren't trained to be aware of this stuff.  That's why LLMDs are valuable, because they know what to look for, what to test for, how to read the (not very good) tests, and then how to treat.

[mjfmurray]

I agree, Lyme doesn't always come with co-infections - and even when Lyme does come with co-infections some of them can be killed off with the doxycycline treatment. I've also read that Babesia can sometimes have mild symptoms but in some cases over a month or two your body can kill it off without extra treatment. If you have tested positive for a co-infection however - I would definitely pursue treatment.

My first symptom from lyme was a 7 day headache that was unbearable that made it hurt to move my eyes as well as an occasional 100-101 fever. I've only had one fever since i've started treatment, however i've had a boatload of other symptoms. I've had chest pains, a weird rash like poison ivy that itches all over, fatigue all the time, and now I have bells palsy. Basically doctors told me these are all effects of lyme and I just have to deal with it. I would contact your doctor though, and as a hint to help your headache Excedrin Migraine always took my headache away for a few hours.  

[JackieCalifornia]

I'll be the contrarian here and say that Lyme doesn't *always* come with co-infections -- but it does perhaps half the time.

You might be Herxing from the treatment.

Ree is right, I agree with her comments.  Take care!

[ewford]

Lyme always comes with coinfections that need different treatment.  Babesia is different than bartonella.  Mycoplasmas as well.  You need to figure out what else you might have.

[ree427]

In my opinion, if you are unsure about something, you should call your doctor to be on the safe side. There's no harm in doing so and it would probably make you feel better. Hope you get well soon.