Someone please help me...

Just a BIG heads-up to 3kidsmom about the Lymes Disease.

That's what caused "all of this".

At 13 I contracted Lymes; didn't know it. Joint pain, fevers, fatigue, passing out...etc.  Doctor's dismissed my complaints for YEARS even though I had abnormal blood work. (elevated WBCs, weird IgG's and IgM's...)  also began to test + for RA at age 16 and THAT was dismissed too as "genetic"

 

At age 20 my PCP tested for EVERYTHING. Saw a very good specialist.  The Lymes had actually mutated several times, the CDC did DNA analyses on my biopsies and blood.  Found out that I had had it for at least a decade.  And the bacteria, left untreated...caused a mess of autoimmune disorders and the worst the RA.

 

So if Lymes is under suspicion, do have ALL the correct tests done. Not just the ELISA test but Western Blot and specific assays as well.  Even if it calls for a spinal tap...do it. (Not pleasant, but if it hits the nail on the head it's worth it). Now, I'de never have ANOTHER ONE done in my life! But I am very glad I had a spinal when I did.

 

Take good care.

Erin 

GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!

You're California right, mama?! THere's like a renowned dr in Riverside named Dr. Franco. He's a commenter on the book, "the new arthritis breakthrough" order it from amazon if you can. He's highly recommended. Knows the Antibiotic protocol well. Let me know if you go. He has a web site and the phone number is listed on it. Make that appt tomorrow!!!!!

Camama, please visit the roadback website. Chat there before you wait any longer. Ask those folks there what they think of AP. Tell them your concerns. Many regular docs don't embrace ap for fear of "new things". Look how long it took american docs to embrace the fact that ulcers are caused by h.pylori. Think about it. You sound like so many posters pre-AP.

I posted some links to roadback's info to elcamino.  Use those links to get yourself started.  I want to be the loudest voice out there for AP.  It's hope for so many.  Please do some research FOR yourself.  What if you wait months more, finally do it, find out it is a huge help for you and that you waited?  It doesn't hurt to look into it.

Post Edited (3kidsmom) : 7/22/2006 4:37:39 PM (GMT-6)

My theory is Lymes. I've had it, my husband had it, our daughter had it. Initially I had severe flu like symptoms with high fever, then I developed large red spots all over my legs, vision problems, joint pain, foot pain, constant diahrrea, brain fog, carpel tunnel, & exhaustion just to name a few of my symptoms. My husband had heart irregularities, joint pain, foot pain, brain fog, etc. After my husband had been on antibiotic treatment for a couple of months, I watched him go from a man who could barely walk to the corner and back, to a man who was out jogging. After several months of antibiotic treatment, he was considered cured, however, during the next several months I could actually see he was slipping back to where he was before treatment. Soon after, he had to go back on stronger antibiotics and for a longer time period. It has been almost 10 years since his last treatment and he seems okay now. Before his treatment, he had one heart test done, after which, the doctor told him " if I didn't see you here with my own eyes, I'd say you were on death's door". After antibiotic treatment, he had the test again and it had completely changed to a normal test. The doctor said he has never seen that happen before. Myself, I feel alot better than I did back then. I feel like Lymes took away mine and my husbands good years, they were so full of pain and misery. We both had it for about 10 years before it was diagnosed. When I first came down with it, I read my medical book from cover to cover and the closest thing I could find that matched the symptoms I had was Rocky Mountain Spotted fever (also tick bite induced). The doctor asked me if I'd been to the Rocky Mountains? I said no. He said then you don't have it. There was no mention of Lymes in my medical book since it was such a new disease I guess. Lymes has so many different symptoms and everyone has different ones, so, if you haven't gotten tested for Lymes, I'd suggest you do. Good Luck to you.

 Hi 3kidsmom,

I need to share something with you.  Please listen to this, this is very important for you.....

My sis had a recurrent virus problem.  It was in her lungs.  She phoned me up and said Do something as I am not getting better.....

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Post Edited By Moderator (Ducky) : 8/24/2006 2:06:10 PM (GMT-6)