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2190999 tn?1504988891

Undiagnosed

Hello,

I need a little help figuring out some really strange symptoms that have bothered me for several months now. I started with hand tingling, which has now spread to my arms, legs, tongue and head. At this point I have full body head to toe  tingles continuously, with varying degrees of sensations. Along with the tingles, I have had bugs or worms crawling on me sensations that literally kept me awake at night.

In March, I completely lost my appetite for three weeks, and at the same time had a golfball sized lump feeling in my throat. It was a little hard to swallow. After losing 15 pounds in three weeks (Bonus!), my appetite came back, the lump went away, and then I noticed when I swallowed I could only feel one side of my throat muscles.

Then I had an electric shock I described as an intense and forceful, buzzing electrical shock that ran from the crown of  my head down to my tailbone. I noticed my ears were ringing more often, I kept looking for new reading glasses, and had a few new muscle jerks in my arms and legs.

Several weeks ago, I nearly passed out three times at home and once at yoga class within a 2 week period. At that yoga class I noticed when we were lying flat on our mats on the floor, I was leaning far to the left and could't use the top of my left leg muscles to push myself back to centered. It was an eerie feeling and I thought stroke ? And of ignored it and moved on (life is so busy).

The muscle jerking is uncomfortable and inconvient at this point and seems to happen when I am about to do something. If I am working and about to move my mouse, my arm may jerk uncontrollably.

Everything seemed to escalate to a point in June. My left leg seemed to be weaker and my left foot didnt want to pick up like usual. I actually tripped and fell flat on my stomach while running. Then, my left knee didnt want to lock. My lightheadedness went from occasionally to continuously and the ringing in my ears is conituous as well. I am asking my kids to look at me when they talk to me. I kept having to hold onto things around my home because of dizziness and lightheadedness when I turned too quickly, and had to keep side-stepping to keep from falling over while I was bumping into doorways.

For seveal months I felt as though I were standing on a buzzing wire that was so uncomfortable that I dropped between 15-20 lbs int he month of May without trying. And yes I know that's not healthy weight loss. Now, however, it is either going away or I'm getting used to it.

And finally, after a hot shower several weeks ago, I literally could not walk for about 30 mintues until my left leg would work again and my right leg cramps went away. This was the culmination of several months of all of these symptoms which have all but completely subsided at this point. Now I have that constant ear ringing, prickly tingling, episodes of lightheadedness and a light buzzing on my insides. Still no appetite and still down an easy 20 lbs from May.

My PCP ordered an MRI of the head which was negative. Now I am waiting to see the Neurologist but still don't have an appoinment scheduled as they are supposed to call me.

Thanks, 
Marell
52 Responses
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Avatar universal
If I were you, I would book a consultation with an LLMD with knowledge of children born with Lyme, and indicate you'd like to include your son in the consultation.  It might be a longer appointment, but I think it is worth getting checked out, even if it's just the slightest chance that he does have Lyme and could improve with antibiotics.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah I know what you mean Jackie.  I have such a hard time remembering things.  I have had many people tell me that I am just a little forgetful.  It is more than just a LITTLE forgetful.  It is true memory problems probably because of the Lyme (If I find out I have it).  I cannot remember things in the store either.  I ALWAYS forget what I am supposed to be getting.  I get everything except what I was supposed to get.  And when I write it down on a piece of paper I always seem to lose it.  I do better though when someone shows me something on paper or manually.  I have a hard time visualizing something when someone just tells me.  That problem has also gotten worse over the years.  I hate it because in college I used to remember EVERYTHING.  I was so good.  It is sad we have to deal with this.  That is why I lost my scholarship.  It *****.  I can really relate to all of you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good, glad you have some ideas for follow up.

I've always been bad at remembering things I've been told, like a series of steps to take to get something done.  I have to SEE it written down and not just be told what to do or get.  If I'm told "Get me some milk, tuna and bread when you go to the store", I'll get to the store and have zero memory of what I'm supposed to get.  But if I write it down, I can remember it because I can visualize the list later, even without the paper in hand.

So everyone processes information differently, and with a layer of Lyme on top of it, it would be even harder.

Take care, keep your spirits up, and let us know how you and your son do, okay?  There IS life after Lyme!
Helpful - 0
1763947 tn?1334055319
I know several people that have passed it in utero.
Helpful - 0
2190999 tn?1504988891
This is so interesting. We have had certainly had our ups and downs with my son and his struggles, but we have everything under control now and life is good. My son is such a riot and cracks me up all day in the WAY that he says things. So innocent and he usually has some crazy spin on things that I would have never thought about. The only remaining down side here is... My son has this temperment in which he gets stuck on an issue and will not let it go. I mean, we can talk about the same issue for the entire day and despite me 'trying' to be patient and explain the situation in a way he can understand, he will not stop. His doc says this is called perseverating, I say it's like like living with a 12 yr old defense attorney who has nothing better to do than argue his point all day :).

One thing that is incredibly difficult especially at school is his auditory processing disorder. The way his brain is wired makes it diffiuclt to correctly interpret in-coming info. Words get broken up in funny ways so things don't always make sense to him the first time. Repetiive instructions help that some.

This discussion makes me wonder if Lyme could be a contributor here with my sons autistic traits and language disorder. Whether Lyme is or not, we are doing just fine and have fun together every day. But it is absolutely something I plan to follow up on.

Thanks for the resources you offered. I will look into Columbia and ILADS sites. It really does make some sense, at least to me, after thinking more about it. After going through the past 6 months and all of my neuro symptoms, I was surprised to learn that Lyme can be sooo devastaing on our bodies. If what is going on with me is Lyme, then a possible tie in with my son is going to be investigated. You said it best when talking about a baby's iimmature  and developing systems in utero.



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Excellent question, I think.  Unless your pediatrician is clued in to Lyme, tho, you might not get much of a useful answer from him/her.

Your own immune system may be keeping Lyme under wraps for extended periods of time, but the effects in utero may have a whole different effect on a fetus' developing neurological and other systems.  Your own immune system was presumably mature when you were infected; not so for a baby in utero.

You might consider, when you have the bandwidth to do so, taking your child to an LLMD who treats children -- some regular (adult) LLMDs do, I think; others may specialize.

There is some thought that the rise in autism, behavioral issues, etc. that seem so common in children these days could be due to Lyme infection.  It wouldn't surprise me AT ALL.

If it's a comfort, I know someone who unknowingly had Lyme while pregnant and her child has had some issues over the years, probably Lyme-related, but is doing fine.  Try not to worry, just take things as they come.

As I think about it, the Columbia Univ. Lyme center (see their website) has includes children in their research and practice, as I recall.  

ILADS can probably recommend pediatricians too, at their referral site:  contact [at] ilads [dot] org

There is a long-time LLMD named Charles Ray Jones, based in Conn., who has a focus on Lyme in children, as I recall.  Google his name, you'll find him.  He's out of the closet as an LLMD, so I don't worry about putting his name out in public here.  He got crossways with the Lyme police a few years ago, the story is summarized below, fwiw, since if you look him up you'll probably run across references to this making him look evil.  Generally speaking, there are pediatricians who understand Lyme, and by poking around a bit online you can likely locate some names.  

Send a memo to yourself:  do. not. freak. out.  No need to.  Things work out.

================================================
Probation Suggested for Charles Ray Jones MD

November 30, 2007

In a decision with national implications for how suspected cases of Lyme disease are treated, a state physician review panel is recommending that controversial pediatrician Charles Ray Jones be reprimanded and put on two years' probation for his diagnosis and treatment of two Nevada children.

If the panel's recommendation is upheld next month, the New Haven area pediatrician — who gained support across the nation because of his willingness to ignore consensus treatment guidelines and prescribe long-term antibiotics to children with symptoms of Lyme — would also have to pay a $10,000 fine and pay a doctor to review records of his patients.

The decision calls into question the medical validity of treating patients who show symptoms of Lyme disease — such as aching joints and fatigue — but don't meet the criteria established by mainstream doctors.

Advocates for patients who say they have chronic Lyme disease argue those criteria are too narrow and lead to needless suffering.

But the panel from the Connecticut Medical Examining Board upheld most, though not all, of the state health department's allegations about Jones' diagnosis and treatment of two Nevada children in 2004 and 2005, which came into question during a bitter custody dispute.

Jones prescribed antibiotics to the son of Jeffrey and Robin Sparks and told the boy's school principal that he had diagnosed late-stage Lyme disease without having seen the boy, the panel found.

Jones also prescribed antibiotics to the Sparkses' daughter before examining her.

When Jones finally did see the Sparks children, he persisted in his diagnosis of Lyme disease for children without compelling medical evidence to support his diagnosis, the three-member panel found.

"The respondent diagnosed a disease when the exposure risk was extremely low, medical history was non-specific, the signs and symptoms were non-specific, and the laboratory tests were negative," the panel found.

Jones defended his actions, saying he has successfully treated thousands of patients with Lyme disease.

The panel's finding, which will be reviewed next month by the full board, goes to the heart of a bitter feud over Lyme disease.

The majority of medical experts say there is little evidence to support the idea that Lyme disease, if treated properly, will nonetheless continue to cause ongoing symptoms, a view that has been bolstered by the treatment guidelines issued by two medical associations for the disease.

There is no good evidence, these doctors say, that extended courses of antibiotics have long-term benefits for patients with Lyme-like symptoms. And symptoms experienced by these patients are more likely attributable to causes other than a lingering infection from the tick-borne pathogen.

But advocates for Lyme patients insist there is abundant evidence that the bacterium that causes Lyme can persist for years, even after initial antibiotic treatment, and often eludes detection by existing tests. They believe that thousands suffer needlessly because their doctors do not recognize clinical signs of Lyme and refuse to prescribe long courses of antibiotics.

Members of the so-called long-term Lyme camp crowded Jones' hearings, which lasted more than a year, in support of the doctor. They raised money to aid in his defense.

"Dr. Jones is being charged with improperly diagnosing and treating Lyme disease after having treated and cured two children whose health was of great concern to their mother for years," said Jones' attorney, Elliot Pollack. "Instead of being sanctioned, he should be complimented."

Jones treated three of Maggie Shaw's children for Lyme disease and all got better, the Newtown mother said.

"My concern is not only for my kids, but how will this affect treatment for all children," Shaw said.On the other side of the divide, the decision was well-received by the doctors who argue that treating patients with Lyme-like symptoms with long-term antibiotics is not only misguided, but can lead to a failure to properly diagnose other ailments in those patients.

"This decision sends a message to a very small cadre of physicians who do not conform to standards of care for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease," said Dr. Lawrence Zemel, chief of rheumatology at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford and professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

That view was bolstered by a recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In addition to the fines and probation, the panel is recommending that Jones hire a doctor to review his treatment regimens quarterly while he is on probation. Future misconduct could lead to a suspension of his license.

The full board is scheduled to review the findings on Dec. 18. It can confirm, reject or modify the findings of the panel.

To read the board's findings, visit www.courant.com/lyme.

Source: WILLIAM HATHAWAY | Courant Staff Writer
================================================
Helpful - 0
2190999 tn?1504988891
Ok Ricobord, you really caught my attention with this. This is probably to vague of a question, but would it be possible to pass along Lyme to my son in utero, but not show any signs myself for 12 years? That sounds a little silly even as I'm writing this. Maybe a better thing to ask would be... How long can Lyme lay dormant?

I ask because my son has a controversial diagnosis named DAMP (Deficit of Attention, Motor control, and Processing). It's a combo of autistic traits, adhd, and an auditory processing disorder. Things have been and continue to be a lot of fun around here, just a little draining on me at times. I'm not in search of any new diagnosis, but this sounds like a good question for his doc the next time we her.

What do you think?

Good question proud mommy!

Good question proud mommy :)

Marell
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Regarding your question about Lyme crossing the placenta, there are many cases of this described.  In the documentary, "Under Our Skin," a doctor says he has confirmed the presence of Lyme in miscarried fetuses.  However, the "official" dogma on Lyme says there is no evidence of this.  

Dr. Jones in CT has treated about 10,000 children with Lyme and he says he sees this often.  The children are usually developmentally delayed and show symptoms similar to autism and ADHD.  

We have a woman on this forum with this experience.  Hopefully she will see this and chime in.  I believe she said her son has been on antibiotics for 2 years and is vastly improved.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Re IGeneX:  You ask:  "Then I am guessing I will get a blood draw at a lab here???  And then send it to IGeneX???  Not sure how all this works."

Yes, that's the way it goes. I don't recall if IGeneX has special kits (with test tubes with certain preservatives in them) for the blood samples, but look on their website.  If not there, you can call them.  They are very nice on the phone.

Hang in there -- the hard times will pass, just never soon enough.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am waiting right now to actually go to my doctor in person like you said.  That is the best way.  It is hard to take care of things over the phone.  Plus, I cannot get the doctor to add information on my order over the phone.  I just do not have the gas money to just drive to town right now.  I know I will however have to go to town to pick up my medicine and my husband's medicine in a few days, so I will run by my doctor's office when I do that and get him to add probably a culture for a Borrelia/Spirochete.  I did some research and found out that a Western Blot could possibly have a false negative and then I would have to get tested again.  Since it may cost me a lot of money I want to just get the culture done.  Yes my doctor is really nice and if I ask he will probably just add the tests that I need.  I was not trying to do anything illegal but now that all of you say that I probably would have gotten into a lot of trouble. I just want to try everything I can because I am just in so much pain and everything.  It is so aggravating that we all have to go through this stuff.  I am sure all of you understand how it is.

I am still researching too.  I will see what I can do about getting an up front authorization from my doctor for IGeneX so insurance will pay.  How will that work?  I am guessing I would go to the doctor.  Have his office call the insurance company and get an out of network authorization.  Then I am guessing I will get a blood draw at a lab here???  And then send it to IGeneX???  Not sure how all this works.

Do any of you know whether or not Lyme can cross the placenta??  Just wondering because I have noticed that my daughter (which is almost 3 years old) is showing signs of what looks like maybe Autism or ADHD or something like that.  I was just wondering if I have Lyme that maybe I passed it to her.

You know it ***** that we pay so much in insurance (my husband pays $400 a month for insurance) and then have to pay deductibles and coinsurances on top of it.  And then because my husband makes too much money (he only gets $1,200.00 a month) Medicaid says we have too much so we are on share of cost.  I do not see how that is too much money for 4 people.  It is just such a bummer.

Thanks again for all of your help
Helpful - 0
3054080 tn?1358722856
Ugh, I know what you mean about the deductible! I'm still paying off mine, too. Hopefully your doctor will add the additional tests on the order without your having to schedule another visit. This is all so convoluted, isn't it?!

Best of luck,
Minnie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
For the best quality testing you might consider IGeneX.  Yes, you need our doctor to authorize tests, but since you pay up front for IGeneX tests, he might not mind signing it.  Docs hesitate when you want them to get an out of network authorization from the insurance company up front.  You should be able to just leave the authorization at the office with a note explaining why you want him to authorize the tests.

I understand wanting the tests first.  I didn't want to spend the money on the consultation with the LLMD until I was really sure I had Lyme.  I ended up doing the blood draw and booking the LLMD on the same day.  You could save money by waiting until you see an LLMD and having them order only the relevant tests.  I was so sick I didn't care about the cost and I ordered the full Lyme panel and full coinfection panel.  My insurance reimbursed me about 2/3 of it.  Best money I ever spent.

If your doc just generically ordered Lyme tests, that means the lab will run a screening test.  Only if that is positive will they run a Western Blot.  I was a false negative on the screening test.  I got my Western Blot done at IGeneX, where they showed I was diagnostically positive, even though I was CDC negative.  Most labs will only report CDC negative or positive, so you won't know if you showed other lyme specific antibodies on bands ignored by the CDC.

Sigh.  It all gets confusing, especially when doctors are uncooperative.  Funny how they can be so sure it is not Lyme, but still have no idea what we do have!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know for sure, but I would think that altering a prescription is not okay legally, whether it's adding something or changing it.

Maybe you can write the doc a short note saying as long as you are having tests done, would he also send you test orders for X, Y and Z, because you've been reading and think it would be good just to push those possibilities off the table rather than drag things out, given how lousy you feel.  He has seen you very recently, it sounds like, and he's trying to be cooperative, so I would think he might send you an additional test order slip without seeing you again.

I find that writing something like that TO the doc works better than calling and leaving a message with staff at the doc's office, because too many of the staff don't pay attention or give a rat's behind.  There are exceptions, but it happens way too often for my taste, and they never get nailed for it.

If you're too wiped out to write it yourself, maybe you can dictate it to somebody and sign it, or type it and sign it.  If you think the doc would need convincing, you could also remind him in the note how long you have been so ill and waiting till later to do more testing is just lost time and misery if this one comes back negative.  The more rationale you can give, maybe the more likely he is to cooperate.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No I wasn't thinking about changing my doctor's orders.  Because he ordered a Lyme Test and marked it as Other.  I was just going to add tests to it underneath.  I know you are not supposed to change your doctor's order.  I guess it would be bad to do that too.  I will have to talk to my doctor then about getting him to add the specific test to the order.  Hopefully, he will not have to see me again to do that.  If he does I cannot afford it (I already owe the doctor almost $100 because I have an $800 deductible that has not been met).  If he cannot change it without me being seen I will just have to wait a few months.  It is just depressing to not be able to do anything and to not have money and being in pain and fatigue and misery on top of it.  It ***** us having to get this done ourselves.  Thanks for the input.
Helpful - 0
3054080 tn?1358722856
I didn't realize (shows how well my thinking process is working) that you, proudmommy, were talking about changing the actual test orders (even though reading back I see that's what you are considering). I was referring  about your plan as it pertains to sending to the lab when you can afford it and then taking the results to an LLMD. No, don't change the doctor's actual order. If your insurance will cover the test as written, maybe go ahead and see what results you get and when your doctor explains the results, go from there as to your next steps. At least this doctor is considering Lyme and ordered a test. I am planning on talking to my pain management doctor yet look for a LLMD in the meantime. I'm so sorry for the miscommunication, my head and neck were (and are) killing me.

Hugs and more prayers to you,

Minnie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't know if you can get in trouble for falsifying a doctor's order, but it's possible.  Think what happens to people who steal a doc's pad and write their own prescriptions.  In any event, I'd think twice about doing it, bec. the doc will get the results and have a pretty good idea how it happened.  Then you've lost your doc's faith in you, besides maybe committing insurance fraud?

Putting all that aside, Lyme testing and diagnosis is not a do-it-yourself thing.  I would do the research on what tests you want done, and ask your doc to order those tests.  If he does not, then a new doc is in order.

Sorry to be a downer, but those tests are going to be pretty expensive, and if your insurance company refuses to pay, you're stuck paying for tests that may or may not tell you anything useful and ticking your doc off on top of it.

I would see what the tests the doc orders have to say, and then take it the next step with him, tell him what you've been reading and ask that certain additional tests be ordered and why.  He may or may not listen to you, but you need to be careful here, imho.
Helpful - 0
3054080 tn?1358722856
Hi, I am new here and just starting my journey too. I don't really know what they should test for, but I do think your plan sounds like a good one and very similar to what I will have to do. We don't have any money either. It takes everything we have right now just to make it.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Minnie
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Avatar universal
Well, I went to my primary care doctor and mentioned it to him.  He went ahead and gave me an order to have a Lyme test done but the order is not specific.  It just says that I have a diagnosis of Tick Bite.  He asked them to just order a Lyme Disease test.  There is room on there for me to add information though if I want to.  They asked if I wanted them to do the test in their office and I said no.  I told them I would have to check with my insurance to see if they cover it or not.  I was thinking about adding on the order exactly what tests need to be done (I am not sure yet what I need done---I have heard they are not doing a culture for the bacteria) and when I have the money to pay for it out of pocket, sending them off to a lab (that knows exactly how to read the Lyme tests) whenever I have the money to pay out of pocket.  And then when I have the results I will see about getting an appointment with an LLMD.  I just do not have the money yet to do that.  

What do you think???
Helpful - 0
1763947 tn?1334055319
It is very common for Lyme symptoms to recycle. You may think you are getting better and then wham, here comes another symptom.
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Avatar universal
It is amazing how stubborn some doctors can be!  I have heard people say that a doctor wouldn't test them for Lyme because they looked TOO sick and Lyme just isn't that bad.  Others say a patient doesn't look sick enough.  I am sorry, but that is the stupidest excuse for not ordering a test I have ever heard of.  That is like telling a slim woman that she can't have a pregnancy test because she doesn't look pregnant enough!

The only thing I can think is that the lyme deniers in the Northeast have been saying for years that Lyme is essentially nonexistant outside New England, the Upper midwest, and the Pacific Northwest (which they generally just ignore). I read a paper from a doc at Yale who said that any positive Lyme test in the south should be considered a false positive unless the person could show travel to a "highly endemic area" shortly before symptoms started. I think southern docs have been trained to look for a high burden of proof for Lyme.  Which is a bummer for people who have it.

Any doctor who focuses on whether or not you had an engorged tick, a bulls eye rash, or travel to Connecticut is ignorant of Lyme.  Find another one!
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Avatar universal
Agggh!!  It makes me crazy to hear about the way you were treated.

If your doc will read Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines at ILADS.org, it will be a very good start.

The whole thing about seeing the tick:  I never saw the one that got me, and my kid never saw the one that got her.  They are SO tiny, like a period at the end of a sentence, not like a peppercorn.  And when they are done chowing down, they just drop off, so they are easy to miss.  And the circular rash?  MANY of us never got one, or it could hidden on the scalp if that's where the tick was.  So even if you never see a tick or get a rash, you can easily still have Lyme and its companion infections.

Be strong!  Keep us posted -- we're rooting for you!
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Avatar universal
Well I went to my Pain Doctor today and they were terrible to me.  They basically told me that I do not look like I have Lyme Disease which is so stupid.  She said that someone with Lyme Disease looks very tired and they are really fatigued and cannot do much and have a lot of aches and pains, etc.  I told her yes that fits me to a tee.  She said I just do not look like I have it.  I told her I am certain that I do.  I told her that yes I do.  I told her she did not know me 10 years ago.  I told her that I was Latin Club Princess and I was in a Strawberry Padgeant and I looked a whole lot better then.  But when my medical problems started escalating I went downhill fast and now I have dry skin, dry hair, pale skin, etc.  She basically dismissed it and told me I need to talk to my primary care doctor about it.  So I guess everyone that does not look basically like a bum on the street does not have nothing wrong with them.  That is pretty much what she implied.  Or the nurse that is. She said I do not look that bad.   I never got to talk to my actual doctor (she was on vacation).  

Therefore, I called my primary care doctor that I go to (my Internal Specialist) and spoke with his nurse and explained everything to her.  She is going to talk to him and call me back tomorrow and see about getting testing and what they can do. Another thing, when I called my primary care doctor's office and spoke with the nurse she even asked me "well, have you been bitten by a tick".  I told her yes and explained that a tick was embedded in me years ago and my dad burned it and pulled it out.  But you know I have read about people with Lyme Disease who did not even know or remember getting bitten by a tick.  I just cannot believe the reaction when I told them I am pretty sure that I think I have Lyme Disease.  People are so ignorant about it.  I am going to be persistant about this though.  I will keep you all posted.

Thanks again to everyone.  Hugs and support to all of you too.  Also, I will give this website information to my doctor.  He is a very good doctor so I am sure he will know what to do.  He is an extremely smart doctor.  He is pretty much a nerd if you know what I mean.  Keeping my fingers crossed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hear you.  These are tough times, and your courage in plowing ahead is admirable.

I think your gameplan makes sense, based on your circumstances.  If your doc will read up on the more advanced thinking about Lyme, especially Burrascano's Treatment Guidelines and other information on the ILADS [dot] org website, that will give the doc the background to know what to order.  

Here is the link to Burrascano's guidelines, which are written for docs, but accessible to anyone and understandable even to me with a bit of effort:

http://www.ilads.org/files/burrascano_0905.pdf

This may have been covered above, but fwiw:

The first tests usually done are called ELISA and Western blot, but they are known to be substantially inaccurate, esp. if you have been infected a long time.  The better test is the expensive one from IGeneX Labs in Palo Alto CA.  They are incredibly nice people (I hand-delivered my blood sample to them and was so impressed with the place:  not a grand huge expensive building, but just a little place, very kindly lady up front, and I understand the docs/founders there are the same way) and maybe they have a 'compassionate' pricing program for those in financial difficulty.  You could call them and ask.  Just google/search for the company name and you'll find the number in Palo Alto.

It's also very possible that you have other infections the same tick may have carried, and without knowing what those are, the treatment is also unknown.  A Lyme specialist could make a good guess based on your symptoms which of these co-infections to test for, and you might to bring that up with your doc.  If s/he reads Burrascano, it will give some useful information there.

Let us know what you do and how it goes, okay?  And think about asking about discounts or terms with the doc and labs, explaining your situation.  When the economy finally turns around, you can make a contribution to them later perhaps.

Bless your heart, thinking of you --


Helpful - 0
2190999 tn?1504988891
Hugs and support your way. Stay in touch. Marell
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