21 year old female needing help-toronto!

Hi everyone ! im currently in the journey of figuring out what the heck is wrong with me !!! Last feb I got bit by a tick in Costa Rica, and didn't notice/pull it off until I got back home to Toronto, On. never thought anything of it as I never had the classic "bulls eye" rash. but during the summer I developed bad headaches, and come fall, persistent throat infections that weren't clearing up with antibiotics. I have what feels like the swollen throat, lots of phlegm coughed up and a horsey voice. Then in November is when I went downhill, until January I was dealing with such swelling and pain in my knees and hands I couldn't walk and ended up in emerg. emerg told me I had RA and stuck me on 50 MG of prednisone.......blood work showed NEGATIVE RA.........family doctor was baffled and sent me to a Rheumy who has now diagnosed me with Lupus....I told him about the tick and he did an elisa test which came back negative and since then has told me not to doubt his 'professional opinion' and that I have lupus and nothing else. im currently on prednisone 5MG and 400Mg of plaquenil . my c3 & c4 is completely normal. I have low white blood cells, and a VERY high anti-ds DNA (728) ......The medications are not relieving the symptoms of joint pain, seeing things in the corner of my eye, night sweats, always hot , etc. Went to a naturopath and had a WB done, and had lots of IND , and a mix of positives and negatives. but the test says negative. the naturopath (and 3 others i sent the WB to) says yes its lymes and the reason for the IND is because the plaquenil is fighting the lymes.

what do you all think? im in a stump and cant stand being crippled at 21!!!

Angela Lee! Yes! That's who I got the Igenex WB from. she advised me to get treatment but would not say it was POSITIVE as legally yes the paper does say negative. but all my double starred bands are IND except 2 are positive's (++) and the others are a negative. Im on a waiting list to see an ID (infectious disease doctor) in Newmarket. Also going to the Lymes disease clinic of Ontario on Monday...he wants to try some Teesal root thing?? Apparently if you have lymes it worsens your symptoms to my understanding?????

yes. im not sure what route to take help wise as she did say herself me being so young I will benefit from anti biotic and take it very well and have a good chance of getting rid of it. im waiting to see the ID to get a second opinion and hopefully he thinks its lymes as well. Oh I cant wait to show my rheumy who word for word told my mother and I 'how dare we question his professional opinion' when we mentioned lymes disease and that there is 'no lymes disease in Costa Rica'

hmp

Just to warn you, ID docs a prone to telling people they don't have Lyme. Lyme literate doctors are the best.

I'd suggest that you read through the "New to Lyme" thread at the top of the page to learn about detoxing, which is very important to do when you're doing treatments, and learn about diet changes you can make to help your recovery and start it now.

The fact that you've had it less than a year is in your favor and being young helps too. I hope you get on your way to healing soon. Let us know how it goes.

Others have said there are LLNDS, but I don't know how widespread they are, so hopefully someone from your area will suggest someone to you.

going to see an LLND today ...hopefully can get some help. trying to contact an LLMD in New york state or as close to ontario as possible... :(

Hey Horsegirl.

Sorry to hear about your struggles. These stories are all too familiar :(
I am in Toronto too. I was seeing a LLND (Dr. K) in Mississauga, saw some improvement but plateau'd.

I am now seeing Dr. M. in Plattsburgh, NY and I am definitely making improvements, highly recommend her as she is ILADS trained and was mentored by Dr. Richard Horowitz.

I don't have insurance but most of my antibiotics are covered by the Trillium Drug Benefit which you can apply for. If you want more information or some assistance send me an email by clicking the envelope under my name.

L.

Hi horsegirl, unfortunately a lot of horse enthusiasts develop lyme. I have a barn at home and was outside constantly and developed chronic lyme with symptoms very similar to what you describe. You have lyme and you need to get to a lyme literate physician as soon as possible. Steroids are also off limits. If you can get a short course of doxycycline from your current dr. that could help short term. Perhaps someone here can help you locate a llmd in your locale. It takes some time so dont give up.