New!

Hi everyone. I just got my blood results yesterday and they were positive for Lyme. After seeing countless doctors over the past two years I finally have some relief. I've been on abx for about a month now and I can see some small improvements. I know that the healing time is different for each person but I hope after about a year of treatment I will be back to normal. I'm scared of having to go on IV abx but my LLMD didn't mention it so I think it should be fine.

I was so depressed but I feel so much relief just from finally knowing. I thought it might be good for me to talk to some people with Lyme so I don't feel like such a freak lol. I really thought I was going to die in the next few months which was terrifying because I have so much more I want to do!

Any advice? Things I could do to help with the healing? Thanks for any help

Although we don't want to be sick, it's wonderful that you were able to get a DX. I too was sick for a year before finally getting a DX and positive lyme test. That was one of the happiest days (I know that sounds weird) of my life!!! Finally knowing what was wrong and that it really wasn't in my head and that it was something that hopefully I could get better from...which I am.

It's not an easy road as I am learning, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Some days I can see it (like today) and some days I can't (like yesterday). But at least we know it's there!

Congrats!!!

Thanks for the replies everyone! All of my blood work was done through Igenix. Yes he did test me for some co-infections but everything came back negative. However, he is convinced that I have Babesia with my symptoms. He wants to retest in a couple of months as I guess it might show up after some abx treatment.

I suppose the only thing that scares me is that the disease is so tricky that it's hard to know how long of treatment each person needs. And from what i've seen it looks like the disease sticks around for life but I know I can still live a happy, full life since I caught it after only two years or so. It frustrates me when I hear people say "oh you'll be fine after some abx for a few weeks!" It's simply not true. I wish they understood.

I also don't understand what warrants oral vs. IV abx. Does anyone have any clarification in regards to treatment?

Thanks

Hi seewhattimesdone,

I'd like to welcome you to the forum as well. You seem to be doing your research and also keeping an upbeat, positive attitude. Those are two things that will really stand you in good stead in your fight against Lyme!

The whole IV vs oral abx is a bit of a mystery, these days. Some doctors start with IV abx, others use IVs when nothing else works, and others would rather not use IV at all. It seems to be a matter of style rather than a pattern of response to length or intensity of infection. Add to that the fact that the insurance companies don't seem to want to pay for IV and you have whole other influencing factor.

We have members on this forum who have used either or both of these therapies as well as some who have done all natural protocols or a mixture of pharmaceutical and natural. All in all, I'd say that the best treatment is the one that is selected based on the individual's symptoms and constantly re-designed based on their response to the meds. There are so many variables, treating Lyme is an art rather than a science or a matter of a once size fit all formula.

I hope this clears up these muddy waters for you. It is hard to get clear information -- there is a controversy in the medical community that has been politicized and people are very impassioned about their choice of treatment. I say I am all for any treatment that works!

Thank you so much for all your support!

I'm just going to take it day by day and try to be aware of any improvements and also regression in my health. My fingers are crossed that the oral antibiotics will be enough. I seem to be responding already as i've noticed a few improvements in my mental health.

It's definitely one big onion!!! LOL!!!

Welcome to our little spot Seewhattimesdone!! It would be very beneficial for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of relevant information and informative links that have been put together by our members here! Most of those who have read through it have said that it was very helpful!! We also have a pretty good search function on this forum to help you narrow down your search for information from past posts. We must be our own health advocates now and the best thing to arm yourself with is knowledge!

In that thread you will find how to detox - it will do you a world of good to start doing this as soon as possible, as it's the Lyme toxins that are believed to be the root of the symptoms. This will include baths, dry skin brushing and drinking 8 - 8 oz. glasses of lemon water. Of course organic lemons are the absolute best to use, but any lemon in your water is better than none!

Many find that keeping a log of symptoms helps them track how well they are healing and helps to understand what may have triggered a herx. Don't forget to check out our search function!!

We are here to help you find answers to your questions, give you a virtual shoulder to lean on- or cry on - and to hopefully share a giggle or two with!!!

What abx to start with is strictly up to the LLMD, as everyone's needs are different. I'm sure your doc felt that the Doxy wasn't the right choice for you in your situation. That's part of why treatment can be so confusing - each doc has their own thoughts about what works best, and each person needs a slightly different approach depending on what weaknesses and strengths their body has at that time. Even the strengths and weaknesses of your body will change during treatment!

I believe that is a large reason why forums like this one are so popular - if you take a large enough group of people, eventually someone will show up that is close enough to your treatment that you can see what they are going through. Even in my case - and I'm using Chinese Acupuncture with Chinese Medicine and Western herbs to heal!!!

Ain't it grand??

So glad to hear you are going to start the detox baths!! Please don't forget to dry skin brush as this will allow your skin to get rid of even more toxins (our skin is our largest detox pathway) and drink as much lemon water as you can, as this will help the body maintain a slightly alkaline state which is necessary to beat this.

I was just wondering, does anyone have excessive sweating? It seems no matter how far or how short of a distance i'm always super sweaty! The doc tested for Babs but it was negative. He still thinks I have it though. Maybe it's just the abx working?

He said he strongly suspected Babesia but I tested negative and he wants to retest in a few months. He said that the treatment was pretty hard on the body. I wouldn't mind doing the treatment for it without being 100 percent sure but it's really his call.

I had a coworker ask me today why I was on leave and when I told them about Lyme they said "hmm, well you look healthy!" It makes me so mad! Why would anyone say something like that?!

Haha it's true I wouldn't feel better. I suppose it just feels like they're insinuating that i'm making it up. Like you don't look sick = you aren't really sick.

I understand how you feel when people tell you "well, you look good". I do find however, that an amazing number of people DO get that even though we look good on the outside, they understand that we are not always feeling well. A lot of my friends know directly or indirectly someone who has lyme and understand how awful it can be....

When someone tells you you look good, I think it's because they don't know what else to say really.

Well seewhat, you are going to have to dig deep and draw on every ounce of character that you have to get through this.

There is no reason that you should feel this bad for the rest of your life -- but I truly understand that it can seem that way at times. Do you keep a journal of your treatment and symptoms? It can really help to be able to look back and see how far you have come.

I think you will find it will help to open up to your family. No, whining and being negative won't help, but having people that you can just honestly say how you are feeling and what you are experiencing will relieve some of the burden for you. It will help them, too. They don't know what you are going through, they don't know how to help. Just listening can be a big help -- at least that is what I have found.

It is understandable that you feel down; you don't feel good and you can't do the things you love to do. What you need to figure out is whether you are feeling sad beyond that. Do you need some other help other than Lexapro. Maybe it is time for a change. I used Sam-E to good effect when I had trouble with my mood. Our other members have found many different ways to address this problem; some with natural products, some with pharmaceuticals.

It is important to do something, though. The more you feel this way, the harder it is to get back out of it.

You will feel better!

Yes Seewhat! You must continue to hang on!! I have been infected for over 40 years - seems almost impossible in my brain, but it's true. I only started on a treatment that my body could handle a mere 6 1/2 months ago, but I'm already making quite a few large strides in getting a life again!! There is no reason why you shouldn't reject those thoughts of never getting better! It may even take a few trials and errors, but don't lose hope! Lots of people recover - once they find the right combo of healing elements that their body can use to help it win this fight!

Just at the beginning of this year, I was starting to change my mind about being able to ever feel any better. Then my doc and I came across a treatment that she thought I could handle - and it's working!!! Now remember, I do have a lot of herxing, but I have made great strides towards having health again! It has me excited about my life again!!! Even on a day like today, when I have the brain fog and numerous other symptoms flaring big time! I know that this too is only temporary.

But, here's the thing - with a negative attitude the healing will not be felt as much. There really is a strong connection between the mind and the body and with a positive mind set (the glass really is half full, even if I can't see it right now) you really will see more improvements! I'm in the "even if I can't see that the glass is half full' part right now, but I'm hanging on to it!

Two things that I feel I can always hold on to; the one constant with TBI's, things are always changing. The second is that my Lyme family here on Healing Well will always be here for me! I can vent a little - even whine once in a while - and share my successes, no matter how small they may be, and you all will be here to put up with my goofiness the whole time!!!

Hang in there! Find some beauty in your life! Take this time to enjoy or develop a "quiet" hobby. You can make it through this too!