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Sweet Taste In Mouth
I have been searching all over the internet to find an answer to this, and cannot seem to come across a definite answer. At least it's somewhat comforting to know that other people are having the same problem. I've come here to hopefully get a little bit more help.
Back in the beginning of April '08 I started to feel like I had the flu which included achy joints, an odd sweet smell in my nose, which did not go away after 2 weeks. So, I decided to go to the doctor and they ran a couple of blood tests, and just to be safe he prescribed me Doxycycline in case it was Lyme. They did a CBC which came back normal (a little anemic), some Thyroid test which came back fine, a glucose test which was also normal, and a Lyme test which came back as 'no'. I continued to take the Doxy because it was making me feel a little better, but it gave me some severe gastritis so I went off it and he put me on Ammoxicilin which was probably a huge mistake. The Amox was not working at all and so I went back onto finish the Doxy. The feeling of having the flu lasted for 2 months, and somewhere in all of this the sweet smell also started to develop into a sweet taste. After that I still was not feeling that much better, so I switched doctors.
The new doctor I went to ran a couple more tests which included the same ones as before, taking a urine sample, and the Lyme titer. The Lyme titer came back as equivocal. So, he diagnosed me officially with Lyme and gave me Ceftin. I finished that and I felt better, besides some lingering joint pain, but the sweet taste remained. He said it was probably ketones because my body was recovering or something like that, but I feel fully recovered now and I still get it off and on.
Since then I’ve been on a Z pack for a sinus infection and Cipro for a UTI. Also, he heard a murmur, so I’ve had an ultrasound for that which came back saying I had regurgitation among other things. None of these prescriptions have taken away the sweet taste or smell. Some days it’s there and some days it’s not. It’s driving me crazy! Lyme disease is terrible, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell that to anybody who’s had it! Thanks in advance for any help I may receive!
Back in the beginning of April '08 I started to feel like I had the flu which included achy joints, an odd sweet smell in my nose, which did not go away after 2 weeks. So, I decided to go to the doctor and they ran a couple of blood tests, and just to be safe he prescribed me Doxycycline in case it was Lyme. They did a CBC which came back normal (a little anemic), some Thyroid test which came back fine, a glucose test which was also normal, and a Lyme test which came back as 'no'. I continued to take the Doxy because it was making me feel a little better, but it gave me some severe gastritis so I went off it and he put me on Ammoxicilin which was probably a huge mistake. The Amox was not working at all and so I went back onto finish the Doxy. The feeling of having the flu lasted for 2 months, and somewhere in all of this the sweet smell also started to develop into a sweet taste. After that I still was not feeling that much better, so I switched doctors.
The new doctor I went to ran a couple more tests which included the same ones as before, taking a urine sample, and the Lyme titer. The Lyme titer came back as equivocal. So, he diagnosed me officially with Lyme and gave me Ceftin. I finished that and I felt better, besides some lingering joint pain, but the sweet taste remained. He said it was probably ketones because my body was recovering or something like that, but I feel fully recovered now and I still get it off and on.
Since then I’ve been on a Z pack for a sinus infection and Cipro for a UTI. Also, he heard a murmur, so I’ve had an ultrasound for that which came back saying I had regurgitation among other things. None of these prescriptions have taken away the sweet taste or smell. Some days it’s there and some days it’s not. It’s driving me crazy! Lyme disease is terrible, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell that to anybody who’s had it! Thanks in advance for any help I may receive!
Thanks for the data on supplements --
About your elbows -- I got little creaking pains in mine early in treatment, but they have now stopped. I also sometimes get them in my knees, so that when I flex them gently, I can hear 'rice krispie' popping sounds [or bubble wrap popping] faintly in the joints, and get puffiness below my knees. I am guessing that this is result of the meds killing the Lyme hiding in the synovial fluid in the joints, a place that Lyme bugs can hide to evade antibiotics, since antibiotics are carried in the blood stream, and joint fluid has little blood flow, so the meds can't reach the bugs as easily.
Eat well, sleep well, hang in there!
(For those who can't sleep, talk to your doc ... I am very sensitive to meds generally, and a tsp of Benedryl would knock me out ... but then I realized after a while that I was having very strange dreams from it ... or maybe I was also catching up on lost dreamtime. I'm on different meds now and sleeping VERY well without Benedryl.)
About your elbows -- I got little creaking pains in mine early in treatment, but they have now stopped. I also sometimes get them in my knees, so that when I flex them gently, I can hear 'rice krispie' popping sounds [or bubble wrap popping] faintly in the joints, and get puffiness below my knees. I am guessing that this is result of the meds killing the Lyme hiding in the synovial fluid in the joints, a place that Lyme bugs can hide to evade antibiotics, since antibiotics are carried in the blood stream, and joint fluid has little blood flow, so the meds can't reach the bugs as easily.
Eat well, sleep well, hang in there!
(For those who can't sleep, talk to your doc ... I am very sensitive to meds generally, and a tsp of Benedryl would knock me out ... but then I realized after a while that I was having very strange dreams from it ... or maybe I was also catching up on lost dreamtime. I'm on different meds now and sleeping VERY well without Benedryl.)
I agree that almost everyone is positive here. I think it's important to have people to talk to who know what we are going through. I have a great husband and family but I don't really think they understand what I feel physically.
I am taking magnesium daily...twice a day actually its magtab-SR It is a 12 hour sustained release tab. 84mg twice a day.
I also take acidolphilus (probiotic), SamE, coq10, juice plus, vitamin c, multi vitamin, B12...attempted to take omega 3...but I am allergic to it. I also take Acetyl-L Carnatine.
The Acetyl-L Carnatine and SamE work together for help with the neuro symptoms.
Juice Plus is $64 a month but it is like eating 12 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
So, I am taking a TON of supplements!!! Thanks for all of the advice. I did a pinup shoot today for my hubby for Valentines day...so I know that was contributing to part of my weight issues and small amounts of food.
But I have to be honest I am FEELING amazing! I don't know if the treatment is actually progressing as planned or what but I have been on this aggressive treatment for 60+ days now and the brain fog is finally starting to cease and the correct word usuage is coming right away without a second thought.
Still quite a bit of joint pain especially in the elbows and such. But, I am so thankful for you guys. My dad warned me about joining something like this because unfortunately there is a lot of negativity with a lot of illnesses and he didn't want me to be discouraged but I think we all make an effort to stay positive and support each other and for that I am so grateful.
Okay enough of my banter. I am exhausted and need to get some shut eye.
Love you all!
I also take acidolphilus (probiotic), SamE, coq10, juice plus, vitamin c, multi vitamin, B12...attempted to take omega 3...but I am allergic to it. I also take Acetyl-L Carnatine.
The Acetyl-L Carnatine and SamE work together for help with the neuro symptoms.
Juice Plus is $64 a month but it is like eating 12 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
So, I am taking a TON of supplements!!! Thanks for all of the advice. I did a pinup shoot today for my hubby for Valentines day...so I know that was contributing to part of my weight issues and small amounts of food.
But I have to be honest I am FEELING amazing! I don't know if the treatment is actually progressing as planned or what but I have been on this aggressive treatment for 60+ days now and the brain fog is finally starting to cease and the correct word usuage is coming right away without a second thought.
Still quite a bit of joint pain especially in the elbows and such. But, I am so thankful for you guys. My dad warned me about joining something like this because unfortunately there is a lot of negativity with a lot of illnesses and he didn't want me to be discouraged but I think we all make an effort to stay positive and support each other and for that I am so grateful.
Okay enough of my banter. I am exhausted and need to get some shut eye.
Love you all!
About taking magnesium supplements:
My dr warned me not to take them within at least an hour of taking the antibiotics, because the magnesium will interfere with the drugs.
I wait at least one hour and preferably two between supplement and drug.
I also take potassium and probiotics and a multivitamin, also at least 1 hour before the antibiotics.
My dr warned me not to take them within at least an hour of taking the antibiotics, because the magnesium will interfere with the drugs.
I wait at least one hour and preferably two between supplement and drug.
I also take potassium and probiotics and a multivitamin, also at least 1 hour before the antibiotics.
Thanks Jackie about the bread, I'll look for it, however, you didnt have to remind me about the SaraLee coffeecake ahhh!!!!!
On the comment of EricaO about magnesium. I understand that you have to take extra magnesium to keep your heart in check. What I'm confused about is the comment about the bug using it as an aid in reproduction. I don't believe I've read this, however, it makes sense, and I have trouble with my memory. It's like a catch 22. However if you are treating with antibiotics and taking magnesium then it brings the bug out into the bloodstream so it can be killed off by the antibiotic. Right? In any case, I've read from Dr. Burrascano's guidelines, suggests the doses of magnesium. I would like to read about that if you have it available. Thanks
On the comment of EricaO about magnesium. I understand that you have to take extra magnesium to keep your heart in check. What I'm confused about is the comment about the bug using it as an aid in reproduction. I don't believe I've read this, however, it makes sense, and I have trouble with my memory. It's like a catch 22. However if you are treating with antibiotics and taking magnesium then it brings the bug out into the bloodstream so it can be killed off by the antibiotic. Right? In any case, I've read from Dr. Burrascano's guidelines, suggests the doses of magnesium. I would like to read about that if you have it available. Thanks
One more thought ... it's my understanding from what I read that Lyme and antibiotics deplete various body nutrients.
My doctor (an LLMD) rolls his eyes slightly when I say that I was weak and failing during antiobiotic treatment until I began to supplement with vitamins and minerals (esp. magnesium and potassium).
Everyone is different in this way (I know someone under similar longterm treatment who takes no supplements and is fine) -- but I was profoundly ill for quite a while before diagnosis of Lyme and Babesiosis, and I am crawling out of a very deep hole as a result.
I have read that Lyme uses magnesium in its reproductive cycle, and that when magnesium levels fall, the bug goes into hiding in its cystic form until there's more magnesium to be had, when the bugs come out for the picnic. I don't know if that's true, but I also know that when I was very ill before diagnosis and landed in the emergency room twice in a week due to heart palpitations, I felt fine after a couple of liters of electrolytes by IV -- until the bugs apparently used up all the available magnesium again (magnesium levels affect heart rate).
I have found one study done on poor South American people on long term antibiotics for tuberculosis, and that study also noted electrolyte depletion apparently due to the antiobiotic treatment. The patients tended to malnourishment due to poverty, it was implied, but the treatment made it worse.
So, food is important; good food is especially important; and nutritional supplements can't hurt and may be quite important -- but Modern Medicine being focused on drugs, nutrition gets short shrift.
Sorry for the long post, because if you're feeling as lousy as I was, you don't have the energy to read this far. Talk to your doctor, eat well, consider supplements, and hang in there. You aren't in this mess alone.
My doctor (an LLMD) rolls his eyes slightly when I say that I was weak and failing during antiobiotic treatment until I began to supplement with vitamins and minerals (esp. magnesium and potassium).
Everyone is different in this way (I know someone under similar longterm treatment who takes no supplements and is fine) -- but I was profoundly ill for quite a while before diagnosis of Lyme and Babesiosis, and I am crawling out of a very deep hole as a result.
I have read that Lyme uses magnesium in its reproductive cycle, and that when magnesium levels fall, the bug goes into hiding in its cystic form until there's more magnesium to be had, when the bugs come out for the picnic. I don't know if that's true, but I also know that when I was very ill before diagnosis and landed in the emergency room twice in a week due to heart palpitations, I felt fine after a couple of liters of electrolytes by IV -- until the bugs apparently used up all the available magnesium again (magnesium levels affect heart rate).
I have found one study done on poor South American people on long term antibiotics for tuberculosis, and that study also noted electrolyte depletion apparently due to the antiobiotic treatment. The patients tended to malnourishment due to poverty, it was implied, but the treatment made it worse.
So, food is important; good food is especially important; and nutritional supplements can't hurt and may be quite important -- but Modern Medicine being focused on drugs, nutrition gets short shrift.
Sorry for the long post, because if you're feeling as lousy as I was, you don't have the energy to read this far. Talk to your doctor, eat well, consider supplements, and hang in there. You aren't in this mess alone.
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