Anyone else fatigued this severely?

Yes. I did have that kind of seriously debilitating fatigue. I thought for about 1 1/2 years I had ME as well, although ME never explained all my symptoms, so I kept looking for the right one that explained all of my symptoms - Lyme and the other tick-borne infections.

This type of fatigue is typical when there is a co-infection, so start looking up which ones you have. We have some pretty good symptom lists in our "New to Lyme?" thread.

Of course no one here can tell you that you for sure have Lyme, we don't even have tests available that can tell for sure! Check your symptoms against the 'Master symptom list' in the "New to Lyme?" thread, and also on the other symptom lists and you'll know more than most docs will!

Yeh sorry I didnt word my post very well. I know you guys cant tell me its Lyme, i just wanted to know if anyone else had been in a similar situation with the fatigue, and now i do, so thanks! I'll be getting myself to Breakspeare then. Its the only way i can get the igenex tests done.

I know what you mean Traveller, ive been looking for answers for so long. Ive never fit the ME 'trend', and have always thought it was an infection of some sort. I had acupuncture way back after being ill for a few months, and the guy who did it said 'I think it's Lyme'. If only i had listened!

Don't worry, Sparky - there are many here (both current and past members) that have those "If only I had..." moments! I'm most definitely in that group myself!

If only I had listened back in 1995 when a friend of a friend said that my symptoms sounded like Lyme disease! I didn't get started on trying to find the right treatment until 2007! Oh the misery I could have saved myself!! Oh well, it taught me a valuable lesson, one that I continue to share still - don't wait around for treatment is only one of those lessons!

Hang in there! And please be sure to let us know how your trip goes!

Well, come to find out that I was actually infected the first time with RMSF at the age of 7, Bart by the age of 8 and Lyme arthritis (present in stage 3) was evident by the age of 12 - so I've been dealing with these infections most of my life. Fortunately, for most of my life, I only had 'periods' of illness. They happened several times a year -every year - but I had times where I could just be a kid too at least!

I would suggest that you plan on being "down" - needing to do nothing but rest and recover- once you return from your trip. I used to have to drive 5 hours each way to see the LLMD that I saw that first year of treatment for me, and I planned on not doing anything for the next 2 or 3 days after each appt. Traveling when you are this ill is incredibly stressful on the body. So be sure to detox like we talk about on here, rest, eat well, and drink plenty of lemon water - as long as you aren't having muscle issues like cramping, spasms or twitching.

We look forward to hearing about your trip!!

Naw, not all that tough, but stubborn!!

Truth be told, there were many, many years where I couldn't do much of anything at all! It was tough being a teenager and not being able to go and do like everyone else. Then having kids and what all that entails - while being quite ill was pretty difficult, but I managed through all of that too. The last 15 years has been just me and my current hubby, so the really rough stuff has been with him by my side, helping me every step of the way. He's a real gem and a keeper!

Yep! Mosquitoes can carry Lyme and the other tick-borne infections as well! All they have to do is bite someone (or some animal) with those infections, and bammo! They have the potential to pass it on to others!

YES!!! Most definitely start detoxing!! Many of us have issues with being able to detox adequately so getting a head start just might prove to be very helpful for you!

I would also agree that since you are having muscle issues like that, that you should avoid not only lemon, but pickled items. When you get to a point where you are willing to risk a few days of increased muscle issues, you may want to try it for a day. Some have had those muscle issues and haven't had any issues using lemon in their water, I just like to warn everyone as the use of lemon really increased my muscle issues! LOL! I gave myself quite a few black eyes and other bruises! Even hubby got a few! LOL!!!

Sparky, have you been tested for other illnesses and/or deficiencies? Lyme affects the thyroid and testosterone which can make you very tired and cause symptoms like what you have. Antibiotics do help control the Lyme, but if the bacteria has already affected some of your organs, you need to treat that as well, or you will not feel better, even after being put on antibiotics.

Lyme is also known for affecting the levels of Magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, your fatty acids and well, the list goes on. If you are low on any of the above, you will feel tired, sometimes chronically.

I can tell you from my personal experience that Lyme had made me chronically tired, to the point that I sometimes felt like I was going to go into a coma, and did not begin to feel better until I started to use supplements to replace what the Lyme was stealing from my body.

A simple blood test showed that I was low on vitamin D, B12, testosterone, and that I had hashimotos. Of course all of this because of Lyme and some co-infections that I have.

Marie, how have you been since starting treatment?

I'd really like to hear about progress from a story like that.

"Some days I just have to order my leg or arm to move, concentrate on it and telling it to move... cause it just won't move 'automatically', if you know what I mean... "

I do know what you mean.

Well Traveller I will start detoxing then. Be good to get rid of any toxins that are hanging about anyway. And that lemon water sounds like fun! lol.

Healing 98 I'm unsure if I've done those tests in the past. Last month I had a full blood work and western blot done. The western blot was negative, but the blood work showed neutrophil count (1.9), white cell count (4.0) and a low lymphocytes count aswell. I've started taking vitamin b12 to boost the neutrophil if that's correct? I had a similar WBC result in the beginning, something which puzzled my doctor. Thanks for the advice though!

Thanks for your post aswell MarieLS. Good luck with your recovery :)

Ah i guess not. I mean, my doctor emailed me the result of the blood work and the western blot, but i guess these aren't the actual numbers.

For example,
Total White Blood Count - 4.0 10*9/L (4.0 - 11.0)
Lymphocyte Count -1.6 10*9/L (1.5 - 3.5)
Platelet count observation (42P..) - 183 10*9/L (150.0 - 400.0)

The western blot was odd. I assumed it would be a bit more in depth. It simply says: Microbiology (XE26k) - Result - B.burgdorferi antibodies Not detected.

It's pretty obvious though that my immune system is being suppressed and isn't functioning properly though. (I'll of course mention all this to the Breakspear LLMD when i see them).

Will do! Thanks for all your help.

Sorry!! Those are all American measurements!
1 cup = 8 ounces (8 ounces = .226 Kilograms)
4 cups then would be .9 Kg (I think - I've only had one cup of coffee!! )

I hope that helps!!

Those measurements are for a full bath as well. If you want to use a foot soak - to get in an extra soak in less time - reduce the Epsom salt to about 2 - 3 cups (.45 - .68 kg) and reduce the hydrogen peroxide (I just use 3%) to 16 ounces (.47 liter).

Man!! I sure hope my math skill are good this morning! LOL!!!

Hi Sparky,

My WBC was 4.4, then after 3 months was 6.5, then 3 months after that went to 7.3. So your immune system can bounce back pretty fast. I think japanese knotweet and cats claw may have helped my numbers out. While your waiting for the appointment you can always research into herbs that will raise your wbc count.