New...Help?

[Kaydey]

I have been ill for the past 12 yrs. Last week I was talking to a friend who had just been diagnosed with Late Stage Lyme disease.  I knew he was ill with something, but he never could get a clear diagnosis.

When he began listing all his symptoms my reaction was more that surprise because I have been experiencing ALL of what he described plus a few more symptoms.

I have been to specialist after specialist after specialist. None of them had ever even talked about lyme disease.  So I have learned to just 'live with it.'

After talking to him, I began to do some research. All the research I have found (symptomatic) is dead on for late stage.

I called my doctor this morning just to make sure about being tested for the disease ( i can't name all the tests that have been done on me!) And never had a test for Lyme. When I talked to my Dr, he stated he had never heard of Late Stage Lyme..  so here I am this afternoon look for more information and medical articles on the disease and I find this site.!!

I believe that Lyme Disease is what has been making me sick for all these years. I have everything!  Joint and muscle pain, unexplained fevers, migraines, on some occasions weird rashes, clumsiness (and I bruise easily), been diagnosed with depression - anxiety/panic disorder - ptsd - suicide, swelling of joints, bone pain, major fatigue but also insomnia because of the pain, numbness in feet and hands (this was the first symptom that led to get a checkup), increase in allergic reactions to antibiotics and allergy meds. What really bothers me is that I have had recent problems with numbers... adding/subtracting/switching numbers.. etc...I had to close my checking account because I kept switching numbers and ran myself into debt.

I have scoured this site and read almost all posts about this.  Talked to my doctor again, but he is still skeptical that this can even happen.

I have had several tick bites since I was a little girl, Grew up in the outdoors, love the outdoors.  Every year I find ticks either on me or in my house.

I am very frustrated and don't know how to convince my DR to do the tests that need to be to at least rule out Lyme disease.

I am tired of being sick and non-functional.  It may not be Lyme disease, but everything I have read...it fits. It never occurred to me either that it may be Lyme disease, and I should know more about this disease than I do, considering where I live.

Any help on talking to my DR would be extremely helpful.

[patsy10]

I'm glad that horrible test is over for you.  I had severe pain and headache after the spinal tap and was flat for a week.  It was awful.  It was worth it though as all the results were normal.  I was also in the middle of a flare.

[Kaydey]

The 9th is coming up soon.  I have had the blood test and the LP...eeww   was in bed for 2 days..the pain was aweful, not to mention that I was in the middle of another episode.  I am so very much hoping that that is it NOT MS.  Lyme can be treated...  MS is just a wait game.

I don't have the results back from the tests yet.  Will get them on Thursday, and yes, I will make sure I get a copy of all the results.

[Kaydey]

I think testing for HMP is the easiest of all tests. When I was tested it was blood and hair sample testing.  Very simple.   That is the standard.

[sick and tired 47]

Hi!! Congrats on finding a dr.!! The first step in the road to feeling  better and healthy again.
What is the testing for HMP? I have moved a lot, lived in other countries where things are not so regulated... so who knows.
Like you I just want answers....lyme or not. I can fight the battle when I know what I am fighting. This its in your head.... NO WAY... how can my heart be normal for 46 years of my life and then start having arrythmias and thats normal????
After several phone callls I am finding LLMD are few and far... because of fear of losing licenses. Here is Texas there is NO lyme the CDC says... tell that to the people with symptoms and tested positive.
  I am hoping the documentary "Under My Skin" comes here, although I am a little afraid to watch it, probably very upsetting.
Well I vented enough.... have a  Wonderful July 4th All!!!!!!!!!! God bless our country and you all!!!

[patsy10]

It sounds like you might have found a good doctor.

[Kaydey]

About heavy metal poisening.  I have been tested for that, all negative, but that doesn't mean you don't have it.   Some areas of the US are more prone to HMP than others.  

That was one of the first things they checked on me because I had traveled and schooled in different parts of the country.

Don't accept that it is in your head...it isn't.   I have found that out by all the support and feedback have I have recieved from ppl here.

Do get tested for Heavy Metal.  You never know.  I think I would rather have a Heavy Metal Poisoning than Lyme...   at least there is conclusive treatment for that.