Are These Lyme Disease Symptoms?

[bob1234522]

I started feeling bugs crawling on me about a month to a month and a half ago. It grew progressively worse over the past couple of weeks. In addition to this problem, I started twitching throughout different parts of my body (eyes, shoulders, etc.). It has progressed into making me jerk as I am falling asleep and have went some nights sleepless and even the times I was barely able to get some sleep, I woke up still tired even though I slept a long time. Feels like I have the Flu but with no fever, only the weakness. I have had what I would describe as a 'Cloudy Mind'. I have had constant Nausea and now have Thrush (although I believe this could be because my immune system is low). Also, I haven't had any fever.

The reason I have posted this on the Lyme disease is because I specifically remember pulling a tic off/out of me about a month to a month and a half ago. I don't recall ever seeing the sterotypical 'bulls eye', but have noticed that many (according to even doctors studies online) never develop the rash. I have had bites but nothing that 'looks' that serious. Could this be from Lyme Disease? I would appreciate any swift feedback and would appreciate any articles that show this connection to give to my doctor, whom I will not be able to see again till Monday (today is Wednesday

[ree427]

You are describing symptoms which sound like Lyme and I would discuss your symptoms with your doctor and tell he or she that you found a tick on you. Whether or not you developed a rash is irrelevant because people with Lyme don't always get a rash.
When I first got Lyme, I also had twitches, insomnia, and felt like I had the flu. The thrush could be a result of immune suppression caused by Lyme. I am not saying you have Lyme, but I would definitely consider it given your symptoms. If it turns out you have Lyme and/or co-infections, the sooner it's treated the better. I agree with Jackie in regards to finding a doctor who will take your symptoms seriously. I hope you feel better soon.

[JackieCalifornia]

Bob,

Sorry to hear you're feeling so bad.  It's good that you are a careful observer of your symptoms, the timing of them, and the tick you found.  I would definitely bring it to your doc's attention.

You may already be aware that there is a split in the medical community about whether it is easy or hard to get Lyme, whether it's widespread or uncommon, and even whether you should have a rash or not.  If you're lucky, your doc will have an open mind and be willing to consider Lyme and other diseases the same ticks carry.  

If you search "burrascano guidelines ilads", the first hit you will get is a long (30+ pages) article written by an MD who has played a large part in understanding Lyme disease.  It is written for MDs but also for patients too, and I would print that out and read it and take it to your doc too.  If your doc won't take it seriously, I'd find another doc who does.

The sooner you get medical care from an MD who takes Lyme seriously, the better.  That's doesn't mean you HAVE Lyme, but docs who don't 'believe' in Lyme will not give it serious consideration as a possibility, and it's very important to do what you are doing, which is figure it out fast.  It's a complicated infection, and many MDs don't understand that yet.  

This is the height of Lyme tick season, so that's another reason to get it checked out.  Best wishes to you, and let us know how your appointment goes.  If you need help finding another doc, let us know.  (My usual trick is to search online for your state or city or area, like "Tulsa Lyme" and see what pops up.  It can take a few tries.)

And you are a step ahead of me -- I never saw a rash or a tick, but I was really sick and it took a long time to figure out what it was.

Take care --