Undiagnosed with questions...

First started experiencing symptoms last year, in April. I had pain below my ribs on the right side that lasted a day or two. It went away, I figured it to be a spasm.

In June of last year, two months after, that pain came back, with pain under my armpit, and in my groin and in my neck right below my ear, on the right side. I had pain in my knee that went on and off, shortness of breath, and tingling in my hands and feet. This attack lasted for a couple weeks and doctors kept blowing me off saying it was normal for a 26 year old man.

I finally found a doctor who ordered some tests. I got an MRI, and it showed four small white matter brain lesions. The neuro I went to see didn't think it was MS, but was not certain and wanted to follow me. She ordered a C-spine MRI (which showed no lesions)and I also got a spinal tap (which was negative). Right after the spinal tap (literally) my vision was affected. I lost some visual acuity and can't focus well on objects that move fast, especially when I watch TV and the camera pans.

Over the next few months, I started getting an odd sensation in my chest. I was unsure what it was and had a stress stest and echo performed and my heart was ok. I think it is from gas. I've had loose stools 80% of the time since this all started.

I had a follow up MRI and went to an MS specialist in December. No new lesions. The MS specialist doubted it was MS, but couldn't rule it out. He sent me to doctor who said I am stuck in constant migraine and had me do physical therapy for my neck, because my neck rotation "is that of an elderly man's".

During the last 14 months, I've had moderate shin pain two times. It lasted for 2-3 weeks both times and went away. From my readings, I noticed this is a Lyme symptom. I know brain lesions can be a Lyme symptom as well. I was browsing the internet today and came across pictures of a rash that resembles stretch marks and is common in lyme patients. I have two lines, one on each side of my groin on my thighs that appeared out of nowhere one day in the last 3 months. I also have one on my flank area. I showed the doctor, he said "oh that's nothing." They've faded a little and the one of my flank area came with a little bruising. Has anyone had similar symptoms?

The MS specialist ran a blood test for Lyme and here are the results. He ran this back in December when I voiced concern. Is this the right test that I should get?

Lyme IgG/IgM Ab 0.23 <0.75 - TV
Negative
INTERPRETATION:
Negative <0.75 TV, Equivocal range 0.75-0.99 TV, Positive >or= 1.00 TV


My most recent pain is a lingering pain in my groin area that is different than the one I initially experienced when this whole thing started. This is a dull ache and varies in severity from 0-5. Has anyone had similar experiences?

I don't recall ever being bitten by a tick, but I've camped and hiked in Eastern PA my whole life, and from my research, it is a high risk Lyme area. I also went on a trip to the Smokey mountains in TN 10 months before my symptoms started.

Thanks in advance.

Go Bucks! O-H!

I agree wholeheartedly. Lymes, coinfections, HHV6 and possible Mycoplasma infections causing chronic illness.

HI OhioState!
Welcome to our forum! I am so sorry that you have a need to be asking these questions, but you have come to a good place to ask those types of questions! I'm sure you will find us to be a caring and understanding group of people!

I would also like to heartily encourage you to read through our "New to Lyme?" thread, as it is packed full of relevant information and informative links that have been put together by our members here! We also have a pretty good search function on this forum to help you narrow down your search for information from past posts.

There are very few Docs out there that won't turn you away should you mention Lyme Disease, that aren't LLMD's (Lyme Literate Medical Doctors). Some LLMD's require that new patients already have a diagnosis of Lyme or other tick-borne infection before they will accept you as a new patient. So you are right to be cautious about who you say "Lyme Disease" to!

If you would care to, I have a couple of names of LLMD's up in the area I believe you live, if you will email me, I'd be happy to provide those to you. All you need to do to send me an email is to click the small envelope under my name.

In my opinion, you definitely have enough of the right symptoms that you should be checked out by a LLMD. I wouldn't waste a bunch of time or money on other doctors, as there are very few who understand Lyme Disease, which researchers have dubbed the "New Great Imitator", as it mimics over 300 other conditions.