Lyme Disease just diagnosed after 4 years ... reaching out to anyone who understands

Hi Lucy,

Firstly, so sorry to hear what you've been through these past years and unfortunately sounds all so familiar . I was undiagnosed for 2 years and been in treatment for 11 months to date.

I would urge you to find a Lyme Specialist as what we have is very complex and requires combination therapy treatment. It is possible to get better with the right help. Assuming you're in the UK?

Sarah

Hi Lucy

May I ask where you got your private bloods tested in the UK?

Also, did the blood tests also test for co-infections such as Babeisa etc?

FYI - I’m 36 male and was very healthy prior to getting a bite. 

Regards

Mark

Hey! I am so sorry that you are going through this, however it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. My life has also been put on hold, I am unable to attend college right now or go out with my friends and as a 19 year old it feels like my world is ending. So I was told that once you are on the medication it is a good sign to begin to feel worse! It’s called herxing. It’s where your body is shedding toxins. So don’t worry it means that better days are ahead for you! If the doxycycline doesn’t work look into other medications because doxycycline only works in diminishing the disease if you catch it early on, if you’ve had Lyme for awhile it can be harder to get rid of. If you are feeling alone and need someone to talk to feel free to reach out, I’m in the same boat with feeling alone and it’s always nice to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. Keep pushing through girl, you got this. 

Hello Lucy,

I am a Naturopathic Doctor in Canada that treats Lyme. It is an epidemic in North America, Europe, Asia, Britain, and probably every other part of the world.  The problem is that the health systems do not seem to want to acknowledge it so it goes largely undiagnosed and untreated.

It is generally considered that the dose of doxycycline you were given is too low to treat a Borrelia infection.  Most Lyme doctors in North America (at my last Lyme conference in Europe it seems they are doing the same) would dose 200 mg twice daily.  At this dose there is a strong possibility of adverse effects and many can't maintain this dose.  3 weeks of doxycycline is also considered to be too short a period to treat this infection, even in it's acute stage.  An acute infection (caught within the first few weeks) should be treated at least 4 weeks with doxy, and the recommendation is for 6 weeks.  A chronic infection may take months or years with this type of treatment and, as someone else mentioned, will probably not work by itself and will need combination therapy (contrary to what someone commented, doxy can be useful in chronic infection but in combination).  As someone else mentioned, it is uncommon to have a Borrelia (Lyme) infection by itself and, in time, the co-infections have to be dealt with as well.  If the infection is deeper in the body (causing neurological or heart issues) the oral antibiotics will probably not be enough to bring the infection down significantly.

Side effects from the antibiotics may be due to a Herxheimer reaction, but don't assume this.  There are many side effects from antibiotics, especially the doses needed for Lyme disease, and you should be familiar with these possible side effects and may need to discontinue the antibiotics if they become severe or are more troublesome.  Sorry I don't have more time to comment right now but I am at the end of my day and I need to go home.  Good Luck

Good luck

Hi Lucy,

I just read your discussion on having Chronis Lyme Disease, and being diagnosed, after 4 years of battling this horrific Disease.  Lucy, I feel you, sweetheart.  I was diagnosed, 2 years ago, as of this April.  I just realized, as of late, that I have had this disease for 30 years.  Initially, I thought I had it since 2007, because I was sick for 2 months, or so, with Flu-Like symptoms, back then.  I don't ever remember, being bit by a Tick, back then, but I suffered ever since, with sickness, through the years.  But, as I look back now, I do remember getting bit, supposedly by a spider, in the 80's, and I was very ill, and had to seek medical attention.  I went on vacation, to a highly Tick infested area, and we had camped, for 3 days, and as soon as I got back home, I was ill, and I was definitely bit by something.  I had a rash(unbelievable), there was an infection going on, swelling(unbelievable, too), flu-like symptoms, etc... I couldn't even work, I was so ill.  So when I continue to look back, after that happening, I think about some of the sicknesses and ailments, I went through, and quite a few surgeries, too, for a young person... None of it felt right.  Anyway, I feel like it happened back then, now that I really think about it, but if not, and it was 2007, I guess it really doesn't make a difference... I have chronic Lyme Disease, either way, and that is the bottom line.  Please do not feel like you are all alone, because you are not.  There are so many others out there, just looking for a connection with someone, that truly understands, just like me and you.  To be honest... I know no one else with Lyme Disease, but I know that there are plenty of people out there, that suffer everyday, like me and you.  Everyday, is truly a battle.  If you would like to respond to this message, please feel free.  I am willing to share more of my story, and my everyday life.  If not, I wish you the best, and I hope someday, you will find relief, because they found a cure!  

Best Wishes,

DNG

So very sorry for what you are going through. I was diagnosed after about a year and a half. My pc had the report but apparently ignored it. I was told my problem was a pinched nerve and sent to a specialist for that who sent me to a neurologist for a brain problem. The neurologist told me I had Lymes that was way over the test score. I was given doxycycline for three weeks and sent to another neurologist. I have many medical problems, some that I had before, some after Lyme. At this point it is hard to know what problem causes what symptoms. I recently had a pacemaker put in which has caused me a lot of problems. Wednesday I am having Botox injections in my esophagus for swallowing problems. Oddly

 I had spent most of my life (I am76) in the woods or my gardens with never a tick bite. Several years ago, they decided they loved me and I have had many bites. I am not being treated for Lyme, only for the many problems I have. Only my neurologist agrees that many of these problems are a result of the Lyme. All my other doctors say no. I do sincerely hope you can get all the help you need and can overcome this dreadful disease.

Something to consider for anyone still having symptoms after being treated for Lyme. Lyme disease can be a trigger to Biotoxin Illness. Biotoxin illness affects around 24% of the population. A brief explanation would be if you have biotoxin illness your body is not able to remove the toxins from your body like most peoples can. So they continue to circulate causing you to continuously get sick. Biotoxin illness can be triggered by mold, phisteria, and Lyme disease. It affects many systems in the body and causes many symptoms. can be difficult to find a doctor who is familiar and knows how to treat. If anyone feels they may have this and have any questions please let me know. I have just started treatment after being diagnosed. Hope this is helpful.

Well, I have been battling these symptoms for nearly 30 years and have not had a definite diagnosis yet. I had a large white lump with red at top and bottom nearly 30 years ago and been put off getting private blood tests by previous GP's but am going to do one soon. 4 years is nothing and I am pleased for you that you found out.

Hello Lucyi think you have viral infection antibiotics would not help probably. Make symptoms. Worse read about espen Barr virus eat fresh fruit &veg raw see how that works if you have a juicer juice 1bunch of celery in the morning drink it asap good luck

You might ask your new doctor about the option of triple antibiotic treatment versus just doxy. I've read Rifampin is one showing synergistic results when teamed up with two other antibiotics. I'd be interested in what your doctor recommends 

I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering with this lyme disease.  My daughter got a tick bite over a year ago.  She was very ill with flu like symptoms, headaches, missed periods, swollen and painful joints, bradycardia/slow heart rate, complete heart block. she did use the antibiotics that cleared up almost all the symptoms except for the heart problems.  I found out about using herbs.  We started on herbs about 1 month ago.  The heart rate is increasing slowly.  Praying for a recovery for you and all the lyme victims.