Lyme Disease

Howdy everyone- been a long time since I was on here. I found out last month that I have Lyme Disease and two other tick-borne co-infections, and am hopefully on the road to recovery. Did a search on the forums and was kind of surprised no one had ever posted anything regarding Lyme and humans- just dogs. I'm sure there lots of users out there who have it or have had it. My family spends lots of time in northern WI, and I've spent time in Canada canoeing and fishing. From the best estimations of my doc and I, I've probably had it for over 20 years, but the symptoms finally hit the point where I couldn't function anymore. It also took about 12 years of steadily increasing symptoms for anyone to throw up a flag. That person, strangely enough, was my chiropractor. Stiff neck and back is one of the many, many symptoms. I'm seeing a naturopath currently and am on so many meds including antibiotics. Feel much better, but it's still a long road ahead. I am floored by how ignorant western medicine is to this disease. I had three tests done, one was barely positive and the other two were negative- Even though three Lyme-specific bands were present. That confusion and an outlay of 200 bucks by me(insurance won't cover the tests) delayed my diagnosis by 6 months after the intial positive test results. Over the last 12 years, I've been diagnosed with everything from rheumatoid arthritis to crohn's disease- all false diagnosis. Also developed a gluten sensitivity and thyroid issue due to the Lyme. I don't even want to think of the opportunities I've missed and the time and money wasted- and the amount of money docs have made off me. AND THE FISHING MISSED!!!!('') Anyway, wanted to see if anyone wanted to share their experiences with Lyme. Cheers- Pete

Diagnosed - AGAIN. Welcome back, old friend Doxycycline.

Yup - definitely correct- I've read articles of people getting lyme disease all over the country now, definitely not only in the northern areas. I'm on a rather aggressive round of antibiotics, 6 weeks in so far, plus a bunch of other 'natural' meds. One of them is for treatment of chronic(or long term) lyme, which is derived from earthworms! Also am on an anti-malarial made from wormwood for one of the co-infections. Plus a host of supplements. I have three pill cases I carry around with me, and they don't even fit everything. Feeling much better, yes, but like I said- still along way to go. My biggest problem was neurological issues. I was dizzy, had vision problems, ears ringing and closing up, motion sickness, super brain fog, panic attacks... Would always forget what I was doing or drive right past where I was going. Very strange stuff. Have a follow up appointment with my naturopath tomorrow. I'll find out more then.

I believe I contacted Lymes when I was a teenager-before we knew anything about it. I often wondered if it would come back to haunt me. What is the treatment you are under now? are the symptoms going away? long term rx? Thanks for sharing

I know it's been discussed in the past. Must have disappeared somehow. Anyway, I had it several years ago but was lucky enough to show the classic signs and symptoms. From the time of the bite to diagnosis was less than 3 weeks. The antibiotics did there job and I was cured. The PA I saw went with lymes immediatley. I was fortunate. There was an article in the Mil Journal last year that the cases in southern Wi were on the increase. You don't have to be up nort to contact lymes. Last summer I took a walk in a park in western Kenosha county and by the end of the day I must have knocked off a dozen wood ticks and found 2 that were burrowed into me the next day. Good luck to your recovery.