Tested Positive for one of the Lyme antibodies! Need direction.

Help.   I got several tick bites during days of May 6,7,8 on a cattle drive in NW Arkansas Ozarks.  Started getting tired near end of May.

Symtpoms:

 *chronic fatigue, no energy, blurred vision, confusion, lack of sleep but sleepy all the time,  joint pain & stiff, muscle weakness, lethargic.

    Then out of the blue a red spot appears on my arm.  I was not bitten by a tick on that spot, but other places on my body.  A big red knot, like a mosquito bite came up.  Hard, hot, but not itchy.  Went on vacation, started feeling worse; then got a stomach virus.  Went to a doc who drew lots of blood.  Today, Jun 16, he calls me to tell me I have tested positive for one of the antibodies of Lyme, which we already suspected.  I've been on antibiotic Doxycicline since June 12. 

   The doc recommends I see a infectious disease doctor here in my city.  I'm in process of finding one through my OB doc (a referral).

  Please note: the doc I saw for this recommended a chest ex-ray.  He strongly advises it & has been very adamant that I get one immediately, since I didn't get one from him.  Have you heard of needing a chest ex-ray for this?  I admit my chest feels a little tight, I started coughing abit, sinuses are acting up but he feels I could possibly be susceptable to something else that can affect my lungs or chest or something. 

My direct questions are: 

1)Have you ever been advised for a chest x-ray after being diagnosed with Lyme?

2)He says I'll need to stay on antibiotic for 4 weeks.  Your experience?

Any suggestions or observations?  I would very much appreciate some feedback as I have just been diagnosed today and feel completely beat, physically.  Last 2 days were good, today terrible!

A chest X-ray was never done in relation to my diagnosis of both Lyme and Babesiosis.

However, I did have a chest X-ray done prior to my Lyme/Babs dx's as part of extensive testing due to my having chronic high-end low-grade fevers.

In my case, the Lyme disease was untreated for more than a decade, while you have described a recent illness, so your chances of recovery are much greater than mine.

I agree with what the others have said. Do your absolute best to eradicate this infection ASAP.

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. After today, I can tell I will be on my own as far as finding a doctor who knows anything about this disease. I've had -0- luck except for getting the chest x-ray, which I did today. They sent results to my OB doc. I won't give up on this.

spaztick: 

Yes, I have just started experiencing increase in fatigue, sleepiness, weakness.  I felt really good on June 14 & 15.  Then BOOM, when I got back from Seattle, it hit me like a lead weight.  Now my sinuses are acting up, I feel a tightness in my chest.  I finally got some rest after only about 4 hours sleep the past 2 nights. 

I have also noticed some changes in my thought patterns.  I am a mental health  professional & very aware of changes within me.  I'm a bit confused as well as extremely agitated, angry, and irritable.  I'm thinking of starting back on Prozac for a while.  I just want to weep until I cannot stop.  

Do you have any more suggestions?  I still don't have an infectious disease doc lined up...we're waiting on my lab results to come back from Seattle, then my OB doc is sending them to the only infectious disease doc here in town.  I'm praying for a miracle...

Hi Donotfear,

I'm sorry for being quiet but I have not been feeling well at all this month. I started a new antibiotic (new for me) last Saturday, and the Herxheimer reaction has been quite strong.

I had asked you about feeling worse since starting antibiotics because it may indicate a Herxheimer reaction, which is also diagnostic.

That's unfortunate that you have to stop antibiotic therapy but 16 days is not too long. I would like to hear from others if stopping antibiotics is a good idea in your case as you were recently infected.

I was also going to ask you about the title of your post: "Tested positive for one of the Lyme antibodies." Which one and what test? Igenex is the most accurate lab to the best of my knowledge, but there are also a couple of other ones that folks have used that are good (I don't recall the names).

I'm happy that you have found an LLMD who you will see shortly.

Take good care, and keep us posted.

Cara

Hi Donotfear,

It's good to hear you're on the right path now, and it sounds like you've been educating yourself about Lyme disease.

Only a person with Lyme disease can truly appreciate being relieved about having a Herxheimer reaction, because it makes it a little easier to believe we indeed have Lyme disease. I had a really hard time getting my head around having been infected with Lyme.

I've been off work since Feb/01, after being diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia in 2000. I was at first elated to have a diagnosis that actually made sense, but the feeling didn't last long once I learned what I was up against ~ medicine, controversy, and politics. Having a politicized disease throws a monkey wrench into the whole experience.

This forum has been very helpful to me over the past few years. You can come here to ask questions, vent your feelings in a supportive environment. There are a lot of folks on here who are are extremely knowledgeable.

I hope you were able to get to Curves, but it's a good idea to take it slow. Slow and steady wins the race!

Cheers,
Cara

Good to hear it, Donotfear. I hope the rest of your work turns out well.

Take good care.

~Cara