HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Lyme and Low Body Temp.

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/26/2012 5:20 PM (GMT 0)

Hi All:

Have just recently been diagnosed with Lyme and have not yet begun treatment.  My LLMD asked that I track my morning body temp. (upon awakening and before I even get out of bed) for a 7-day period.  While my body temp and blood pressure have been lower than usual over the last couple years that I've felt ill (pre-diagnosis), I was surprised at how low some of these body temp. readings were.  We're talking:  97.4, 96.7, 97.7, 97.7, 97.6, 96.6 and 96.7.  Originally, we thought the battery on the digital thermometer was broken, since my boyfriend also had low readings (in the high 96's) so we replaced it and it was still low for BOTH of us (you can see what's coming, can't you?).  So, we purchased a new thermometer and we're both in the high 96's.  My first question is:  Is low body temp. (and low blood pressure) consistent with Lyme?  Incidentally, my white blood cells on my last go around of labwork was the lowest they've EVER been--3.1  :0(

Secondly, my boyfriend has NOT been diagnosed with Lyme although like me he was an avid hiker for well over a decade and lives with me in my 'Nature Girl's dream house' which is backs to wetlands; a/k/a a Deer Preserve.  He would have had ample and equal exposure to Bb.  I did notice that at my first appt. my LLMD inquired as to my boyfriend's general overall health and our form of birth control.  Tom has been exceptionally healthy and has NOT had any of the crazy health issues I've experienced over the last couple years with the exception of a NEW incidence of recurring chalazions which he has been able to manage only through prescription drugs from an ophthalmologist.  He had to have 3 or 4 of them lanced.  For the last year or so, they have not recurred. 

So, with the exception of the low body temp. and the chalazions, are we being paranoid or should he also be screened for Lyme?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I'm blessed to have him; he's a wonderful guy and has been marvelously supportive.  I'd like to be proactive and do what we can to safeguard his health. 

Cheers!

Nancy

Posted 1/26/2012 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yes this is a common ailment.. I went through the same broken thermoter routine.. Now I wish my temp was 97! I am usually in the 96.4 range and sometimes in the 95's.. I am cold all the time unless I am exerting myself.. I have doubled the blankets on the bed and sleep in a sleeping bag under them!
Posted 1/26/2012 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think it couldn't hurt for him to be screened. He's exposed to the same environment, and some MD's believe there is a possibility that lyme can be communicable. It's better to know early before severe symptoms appear then to let it go on to a stage where it's more difficult to get rid of.

The low body temperature was one of my first signs too. It's definitely consistent with Lyme. I run between 94.5 and 96. I think low blood pressure is also a sign.
Posted 1/26/2012 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats, Jessica!! I've only managed to raise my body temp from 96.3 or 5 to 97.5 so far. about 2 years ago I was like Summer and had my temp sit at 94 or 95. I've still got a long road of recovery ahead me. but it all works together!!
Posted 1/26/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I can raise mine but it doesnt stay up.. I get in a very hot bath 105-106 degrees, would you believe for several minutes I will actually be shivering?? Any tips on raising it up long term?
Posted 1/26/2012 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
What has done it for me in time in treatment, drinking lots of hot drinks - mainly herbal teas - and dressing in many layers. I don't take a layer off unless I get slightly over-heated and a little sweaty.

I used to wear two pairs of socks in some slip on shoes that I have, 3 shirts, and long underwear under my pants, sweat pants or whatever I was wearing for the day. I started doing all of that just because I was tired of always being cold!!

I'll be interested to see what others say on how they managed to raise their body temp!
Posted 1/27/2012 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
yes, these are typical readings for Lyme. I measure mine at 0900, 1200 and 1500 and average for a day. It has ranged from 96.8 to 98.3. Back in the summer and early fall, the overall average was about 97.2 and has slowly crept upward to 97.7 or so as I have been treated. My doc likes to get her patients to a steady-state at 98.0 or above. I want 98.6 and plan to get there!
Posted 1/27/2012 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
It's one of those things that sounds kind of silly, but I think it may have actually helped me - I've been eating more "warming" foods and less "cooling" foods (the tricky part is NOT eating spicy things - my favorite! - because it raises your temp, but then your body will try to cool itself down). I originally read about it in a book, but there's a lot of information on the web...here's one link with some information:

http://www.pingminghealth.com/article/581/warming-and-cooling-characteristics-of-common-foods/

(I don't want to try to use the hyperlink because it hasn't been working lately so just copy and paste)

Other than that, I bought a portable sauna which I still haven't used because half of my house is still under renovation and there's nowhere to put it, but like Jessica said that's pretty good (or so I hear), and any kind of exercise should help somewhat.
Posted 4/8/2016 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello All,

Have noticed this for some time now.

Not stopping any treatment,however,it seems the more"try" to do the more I pay later?

So I will slow down a bit.....even on those "decent" days.

r
Posted 4/8/2016 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Low body temp can also be from Candida and low thyroid - both common in lymies.

Mine was always lowest after 9pm. Its been down to 94 in the past when messed up on ABX.

Rolling on a foam roller at night seemed to get the blood flowing, and I felt a little warmer.
Posted 4/8/2016 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks astroman.....hot baths,saunas?


r
Posted 4/8/2016 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm curious as to why your LLMD specifically asked for a morning reading.

In my experience, morning readings are notoriously low and inaccurate (long before I ever even had Lyme).
Posted 4/8/2016 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I first read about morning temperature when I was wondering if I had a thyroid issue.
The reason you take it first thing in the morning while you are still in bed is because things you do during the day will affect the body temp. - like activity, eating, etc. You need a baseline of what your body temp is before you start activity.
Taking the temp this way for several days in a row you will be more valid than after a hot shower, or doing chores, etc.as those activities will most likely raise your temp.

Morning readings aren't inaccurate.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply