New to this

Hi All,

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I thought I was quite healthy!  I suppose I was ignoring some earlier symptoms of something, but when the numbness set-in two weeks ago, I went to the doctor.  I am a 35 year-old female who does not recall being bitten by a tick.  Here is a run-down of my issues:

April 2009: Developed sudden allergy to sunlight. I break-out in hives within 5 minutes of exposure, including the skin under white clothing.  It's very uncomfortable, as I become very itchy and bumpy.  I am absolutely misearble in daylight!

June 2009: Left ankle swells every day and is sore.  My left ankle also easily rolls on an uneven surface, which causes more pain.

July 2009: Left shoulder and arm went numb. Hot and cold sensativity are "off." 3 days later, entire left side of body numb from shoulder to toes. Head, face, neck not affected.

August 2009: Finally went to the doctor for numbness, had bloodwork and was sent for an MRI.  The MRI showed two lesions on brain consistent with MS or Lyme as diagnosis.   Bloodwork showed Vitamin D difficiency and my thyroid is slightly underactive at 4.86 when the normal range is .45 to 4.5.  My thyroid was within range at 2.35 in March 2009 (regular physical).  Just last week, my neck became stiff, so my doctor told me to come back in for a Lyme test.  Currently waiting for blood results for Lyme and will get those tomorrow. 

Does anyone think the sun sensativity could be related to any of these issues?  Thyroid, Lyme, MS

I just started doxycycline last night and will take for 21 days, twice a day, 100 mgs each time.  Does anyone know when I might see improvement in my symptoms (assuming it's Lyme)?  I feel more sore today than I did yesterday and more tired.

I will share any results I get and if you want to know any specifics, please ask because I don't know what info will be helpful. 

Thank you for your time,

Michelle<!-- Edit -->

I'm not sure about the sensitivity to sunlight, but the rest of your symptoms certainly sound like they could be Lyme related. Your dosage of doxy sounds too low though. I would recommend that you find a good LLMD in your area, if possible.

Hi Monkey,

Welcome to the forum! I'm so glad you found us:)

Thanks you so much for posting a new thread. I'm going to copy and paste all the information you received from your other thread in case you want to come back and read.

This is from Rottendog:

mokeyho

welcome to the board, you may get a lot more replies if you make a new thread. but i can tell you what i know about lyme. you need to get a copy of your WB test when it comes in. you can post it on here and some of the other members can help you to understand it better. even if it comes back negative.

i also had a MRI showing 10 to 15 lesions on my brain. do you by chance have migraines? also from all i have read 1 month is not enough of the abx. and doxy can cause sunlight sensitivity.

have you read up on herxing? sometimes you feel a lot worst b4 you start to feel better. this is caused by the die off and toxin buildup. if your able to go to a LLMD. it may be in your best interest. as they know and understand this disease a lot better then a reg Dr does.

i had my WB test done in april and it came back positive on IgM, i was sent to a ID Dr. who told me it was a false pos. and to date i am not in treatment, as there are no LLMDs close to me. i am also in the process of finding one who is almost 700 miles away, some here travel even farther than that to see there LLMD.

i wish you all the best, and to get well soon. :)
   RD

From Traveler:

Hi Moky!
I'm really glad that the info I provided helped some!!!

Personally, I would avoid aspirin as well as any other OTC pain meds for as long as could, when seeing any doc other than a LLMD.

These docs that don't understand anything (or very little) about LD can oh-so-easily 'scribe' or give info that can actually can hurt

rather than help. Even my doc (who I really trust) wants me to take 'pulsed' steriods. a really bad med for us Lymies. It's just that I

know he really is concerned about my pain levels & he doesn't know what else to do. I just keep refusing to even take the script from him. He does have a good heart!!!

Anyway, Ive probably rabled on more than long enough!!!
Good luck, & I wish you health, & peace ~
Trav

when my body heats up, i break out in a red rash on my stomach/chest.. only after a shower or when i'm up walking around.

Hi, MoHo, I'm sure your M.D. told you that doxycycline may cause an increase in your sun sensitivity.

My sun sensativity is not related to the antibiotic because this developed in April 2009 and I didn't get the antibiotics until August 2009.  I am definitely allergic to sunlight.  It just takes a few minutes for me to start itching, get red and bumpy.