Treatment & Recovery

[thester6474]

Is there any way of completly eradicating Lyme Disease or is this something a person will always have?  I was just wondering, I have been put on Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day.  I have been suffering from this for the 13 months and probably longer.  The symptoms presented with Neurological problems after taking antibiotics last January for a sinus infection.  I see that can be quite common, for the dormant symptoms to become visible after use of antibiotics.  My symptoms first symptoms last January was numbness and tingling in extremities; as well as severe fatigue and headaches.  During my first visit with my PCP I was unable to distinguish between two different objects on my right side with my eyes closed (one sharp and one dull).  It progressed quite quickly though, leading to depression, weight gain, excessive sleeping, burning pain (in entire body especially chest), tingling in head (slight touch makes it worse), difficulty with concentration, memory and thinking; difficulty swallowing, headaches within months, lightheadedness, difficulty walking (gait),  muscle pains, cramps, spasms, nausea, vomiting, extreme sweating, elevated pulse, loss of muscle toneand control,  and arthritis to name a few. (2-4).  During an appointment with my PCP last month, he decided to check my reflexes and sensations again.  He noticed overactive reflexes in my left leg, and underactive reflexes in my hands and elbows.  He also noticed that in a few areas I was not able to feel when he touched me, in other areas I was barely able to (he mentioned that he was actually stabbing my skin).  In the rest of the areas I had no problem at all.

I also have diagnoses of kyphosis, scoliosis, hypermobility syndrome, fibromyalgia, myoclonus, neuropathy, b-12 and iron deficiency, anemia, early mild disc degenerative disease, mild disc desiccation and mild spinal stenosis.  I also have an abnormal babinski reflex in my right leg.

[thester6474]

Hi, I was needing to ask you all a question.  For the last few months I have been experiencing this burning pain in my chest.  At first I thought that my Fibromyalgia could actually be causing this.  But with the new diagnosis of Lyme Disease, I am wondering if it is actually coming from this instead.  My pulse has also been elevated for months now, despite the use of a beta blocker.  I also have these ugly veins that have appeared over the last few months on my legs.  My mom says they look like varicose veins to her.  Do any of you have these problems as well?

[patsy10]

It's hard to say.  I had 5 really bad years, just like your past 13 months.  Probably the first 18 months was the worst then gradual improvement from there.  Then I had a good life for about 7 years.  Then it hit again in 2005.  I was 30 when it hit me the first time.  I'm better than I was in 2005, after another good round of antibiotics.  I am able to work at least.

[thester6474]

Yes I have read up on him, I really do not know what my doctor's next course of action will be, I have not heard from his office since they called with the test results.  I am due to see him next Thursday, but in the mean time I am sitting here driving myself crazy, trying to figure out if I will have to go through this mess the rest of my life.  Trying to figure out if I will ever get back to the way I was before Lyme Disease, I am only 25.  These last 13 months have been a major eye opener.

[patsy10]

We've talked before.  Is your doctor planning to increase or add medication in addition to doxy?  The dose you are currently on will probably do very little to help you.  You would have late-stage neuro lyme at this point based on your condition and neurologic problems.  This usually requires long-term oral therapy and often times IV antibiotic therapy.  I personally do not feel it is curable at this stage but you can improve or even go into remission with proper treatment.  Have you read Dr. Burrascano's treatment guidelines?