I think I may have Lyme's disease
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello, I was wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms. I am waiting for results from a blood test taken last week, I have had many weird neurological symptoms and remembered that last year I developed a strange circular rash on my hip. I went to Exmoor last June and the dog got covered in ticks. I didn't see any ticks on me and there was quite a gap before I developed the rash. I also remember getting a flu type thing last summer. I am worried about how common it is to get a negative blood result even if I do have Lyme's disease. Here are the symptoms that began a month ago;
Visual disturbance
Fatigue
Dental pain (went to dentist and nothing wrong)
Strange tingling sensation/numbness down left side of face and body
Developed into discomfort, mild shooting pains
Nausea
Lack of appetite and weight loss
Hands and neck slightly painful, cracking
Generally feeling unwell
I have also been struggling with my memory and concentration for a long time but thought it was due to medication I was on, now I'm not sure.
I am quite scared at the moment as to what is causing these symptoms, I was sent to hospital the week before last by GP, given a CT scan which came back normal, now awaiting an MRI. It was only last Sunday that I thought about the weird rash I had last year and started researching Lyme's disease. I would really appreciate any advice from people who have been diagnosed. Have other people developed similar symptoms? Sorry for the long rambling post :-)
0 likes, 14 replies
david59662 alicia27299
Posted
I have CFS 15 months, prior tovery fut 33 y/o triathlete, i have been through alot over this time. Tons of tests and consultations. I have learned alot about lyme disease. Lyme is meant to be diagnosed on symptoms, the manufacturers of the test state this as the tests for lyme are not 100% reliable. The NHS ELISA tests are definetely unreliable, some people's immune system does not produce an anti-body respone to the lyme so the test will be negative. What you should so is request a WESTERN BLOT test, you usually only get one of these after positive and unclear ELISA, the WB is a better test. I managed to get one despite negative ELISA. You should print the first page of this document off and highlight the 'remarkably some immunoblots gave positive results in samples tested negatie by all eight ELISAS.' Show that to your GP as clear evidence lyme testing is not foolproof. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3132383/
I have tested negative for lyme on various tests with an unequivicol result from Germany. You shoudl ask your GP for a trial of doxyxycline to see if you improve. The concensus on the NHS is that a few weeks of doxycycline cures lyme but many people need months of treatment and not everyone responds to doxycycline. Good luck, hope that was useful.
alicia27299 david59662
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NelDubbio alicia27299
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I'm very sorry for your symptoms, I hope I could actually do something concrete. You should IMMEDIATELY go to a Lyme literate doctor that will test your blood with specific tests not performed in the UK.
alicia27299 NelDubbio
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david59662 alicia27299
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NelDubbio alicia27299
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aromasammy alicia27299
Posted
Unfortunately the blood tests are unreliable, so don't take the result as confirmation.
I have the disease, was bitten twice and had 2 rashes and now a whole plethora of symptoms and my doctor is refusing to treat it, as he refuses to believe that I still have it as my tests came back negative. I live in Madeira and it is thought to be rare here, which doesn't help in my case. If you are really concerned that you do have Lymes Disease and your tests come back as negative, then try contacting Lyme Disease Action UK.....they have been absolutely brilliant with me and are helping me with trying to get across to my doctor that I should be treated for it.
Its a long and slow road..but you will hopefully get the answers in the end. Good luck!
alicia27299 aromasammy
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aromasammy alicia27299
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The frustrating part is that my doctor keeps insisting that I should go and see a shrink! I find this incredibly offensive, given that he agrees I had stage one Lymes and knows I didn't get treated for it. Add to that he would prefer to palm me off onto a neurologist and rheumatologist which will just cost the health care system more money. They don't listen and its very frustrating. The thing is not to give up hope and dont be afraid to get a second opinion...there is more Lyme Disease sufferers out there than they would like to admit.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you
alicia27299 aromasammy
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david59662 alicia27299
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david59662 alicia27299
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Emis_Moderator alicia27299
Posted
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paul21590 alicia27299
Posted
two years ago i found a nymph tick under my arm late one night 4 days later i had a rash the size of a saucer following day i was on doxycycline i did 7 weeks of that and luckily caught it early , i was lucky because i found the tick and got the rash so didnt waste any time .
now my dog has it and its really hammered her .
good luck paul