Lyme-Like Symptoms

Greetings all,

I am a 25-year-old female suffering from complications from antibiotics for a staph infection last May. I was on two oral abx for 2 weeks, became sicker and was on IV abx for 3 days. I then developed a UTI and was prescribed another abx a month later, started projectile vomiting and came down with fever and was on IV abx for 4 days plus oral abx for 10 days. I was on penicillin for strep twice in sept/oct. Before all this, I was a very well-controlled Type 1 Diabetic for over 10 years (A1C in the 5's) vegan, exercised 5 days a week, worked full time, etc. Basically extremely healthy and normal despite having diabetes.

Consequently from the infection I suffered bouts of strep infections(first time in over 10 years), "PID," gastritis/inflammation, developed benign thyroid nodules, chronic constipation etc. I have not been the same since and my health is rapidly declining. I was diagnosed with "IBS" and have had several tests done, that have shown nothing. I am basically just going deeper with my illness without diagnosis. I have been lurking this board for a while as I have a lot of the same symptoms, mostly looking for relief to see if anyone suffers from the same symptoms and has been able to stave them off with supplements/herbs, etc. I live alone, have lost a lot of my friends/contacts, have no family or medical insurance. I barely am able to take care of myself and I feel like I am slowly dying. Here are most of my symptoms:

-Cognitive difficulty
-Memory loss/Brain Fog
-Fatigue
-Irregular periods (they used to come on the 17th every month for 5 days for the past 2-3 yrs)
-Bad breath
-Insomnia
-Chronic Constipation
-Dry Skin/Itchy feet/Fungus-looking spots on feet/Dandruff
-Slow healing wounds
-Hair loss/Change in texture (dry,brittle,knots easily)
-Anxiety/Depression/Derealisation ("numb" feeling, although I am mostly just sad all the time)
-Muscle spasms/twitching/cramping (especially legs/feet)
-Body parts falling asleep easily/numbness
-Lack of appetite but when I eat I eat very quickly
-Chronic pain in joints
-Bones cracking/popping very LOUDLY
-General weakness

Things I have tried:
-acupuncture
-yoga/pilates
-bed rest for the past 3 months
-b-complex vitamins/multi vitamin
-astragalus/kyolic garlic immunity support
-chlorella/raw reserves greens powder formula
-nordic naturals cod liver oil
-betaine HLC acid/digestive enzymes
-l-glutamine
-"adrenal reset" (ginseng, rhiodola)
-aloe vera
-chromium food complex
-kombucha
-kefir
-fermented foods
-ginger/
-apple cider vinegar tonics
-probiotics(RAW women, pb8, garden of eden(?))
-hemp protein, raw hemp hearts, flax seed
-coconut oil, olive oil, oil pulling
-detox baths, dry skin brushing
-juicing(not exclusively), smoothies, liquid/processed food (not solids)
-vegan/raw/gaps/paleo
-gluten/dairy free, recently grain-free entirely

The only option I can fathom that would help at this point is Fecal Therapy as I have clearly killed off much (if not all) of the good bacteria. After a year with no diagnosis or improvement I am starting to feel extremely hopeless. I started smoking and drinking because I don't want to go on (prescribed) anti-depressants or sleep medications and I just want to escape. The only thing that keeps me going is a picture I keep of me smiling as a toddler; when I was innocent, healthy and happy. I try to nurture that little girl who only wanted to be happy in life.

Thank you for any input you are able to provide. I feel for all of you and your struggles, these sort of illnesses are so debilitating.

Hi Marie,

Thank you so much for your helpful and elaborate response. :) I am sorry that you have suffered with these symptoms for so long, I unfortunately do not believe I am as strong. You mentioned that you are European; that may explain the "doctors" and "probiotics" question. No one ever recommended probiotics to me when I was being treated for the staph infection. I blame myself for not researching more about it and looking into it when I was still healthy enough - at least my hair hadn't started falling out and I was using the bathroom properly! I use them now, but it seems like an afterthought as I haven't noticed a difference.

I know I shouldn't be drinking/smoking. The reason I got the staph infection in the first place is because my 'friend' gave me a tattoo (out of a reputable shop) that never healed and consequently got infected. I had plans of moving in the next 6 months and ironically met my soul mate 3 weeks after I got sick. I have been stuck in the same place since then, in self-pity, blaming myself, ruminating about how great my life would be right now if I never got that ****** tattoo! It is a truly miserable position. I feel as though I've lost everything and it's all of my own doing. Still no excuse for indulging, but since I can't sleep or focus it's the only way to distract myself from my thoughts.

Your "repair" program (healing for leaky gut, ibs, gerd, etc.) sounds an awful lot ilke what I need. I realize no diet is one-size-fits-all and must be tailored to the individual. Is there anyway you could share the details of how you were healed by your doctor? I will look into finding a Lyme Dr. I am in a bad position right now - I will see what I can do regardless.

My diabetes was well-controlled, it is no longer and it's mostly an afterthought. It is not affecting my health in the way I have described though. Many doctors have tried to blame it as the culprit as a copout and it's insulting to say the least. I have had perfect bloodwork for years and was taking very good care of myself (not suggesting you are doing the same!). My thyroid levels were 'normal.' The fact that all of this came on as a result of too many antibiotics is really confusing and terrifying, I will never understand what they did to my body.

I understand the cloudiness. Thank you so much for chiming in and blessings to you.

aphysicalwreck, I think Marie is trying to figure out what is wrong with her and since some of her symptoms mimic Lyme's disease and/or co-infections she is looking for information.

Marie, I have had a triple whammy from taking fluoroquinolones (ie: Levaquin, Cipro, etc.), Xanax and  now Lyme's/ Babesia.  The three things have all the same symptoms as well as Candida.  You may have to do your own research, unfortunately.  Look up fluoroquinolone toxicity, Candida symptoms, etc.  Many of us have been to many doctors only to find we have been given wrong diagnoses.  I do believe getting bloodwork done from Igenix lab is important if only to rule out Lyme's disease.  On the first page you can scroll down to find info about this lab, the tests to have, etc.

Don't emotionally give up.  You are stronger than you think.  I am wishing you the very best of health.

Patty

Oops! Sorry, Marie. I did mean to address Desperado.

Patty xo

Hi Desperado, you're email option is still off...

No problem Desperado, don't worry!
Log in and go to 'My Profile', then 'Edit Profile' - then 'Show my email address'
be sure you have an email address that doesn't show your real name if you don't want that (you can change your email address if you want so), cause enabled, all members can see your address.