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I Suspect Lyme, need help

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 9/7/2014 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,
I am so relieved to have found this forum!
I'm 35 and had been having fatigue, joint pain, terrible night sweats, etc on and off for over a year, but it would happen for a week or so and disappear for months. In April the pain in my hands returned and never stopped. A hand ortho gave me cortisone shots thinking carpal tunnel. Not long after that my knees started burning and needless to say a knee ortho shot me up with yet more cortisone. Well ever since them my body has gone haywire, I feel like I am on fire in all my joints.
I have seem a rheumatologist who ran every kind of blood test she could think of, including lyme, and everything came back normal, and doesn't know what is wrong with me. I am in Atlanta and every doc I've mentioned lyme to has blown me off, even though I am frequently in CT and camp in New England every summer.
I have a friend in DC with chronic lyme and she said the exact same thing happened to her regarding the cortisone shots and suspects that I have lyme. I am desperate and willing to travel to her LLMD in DC if I have to, but I am turning here first to see if anyone can guide me to a Dr close to atlanta. I've registered with the LDA, but the nearest dr they sent me was in NC.
I know no one can post this on the forum, but I've made my email address available. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 9/7/2014 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laura, welcome to this forum.

To start, please read the thread at the top of the page, "New to Lyme?...Start Here" . It has a lot of important, helpful information, including the section in detoxing.

To find a LLMD, start a new thread with the subject: "Looking for LLMD near Atlanta"

Steroids are a no-no for lyme disease patients, as they suppress the immune system which allows the lyme to flourish.

You have symptoms that definitely could be attributed to lyme disease.
While you are waiting to schedule an appt. with a LLMD, you could get an Igenex Lyme Western Blot test. It costs $200.

Good luck, and keep posting on this forum...lots of support here!
Posted 9/7/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum LauraBird! I'm sorry you're getting the runaround that so many with Lyme get. Do as Girlie mentioned and start a new thread so more members will see that you're looking for a LLMD. Hopefully you'll get some suggestions soon. I'm glad you found this forum. Keep us posted on how you're doing.
Posted 9/7/2014 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laura,

Make sure you find an LLMD, or Lyme Literate Medical doctor.

LLMDs can send tests to special labs, like Igenex, and they read the test differently than other doctors do.

Let us know how it goes.

Margaret
Posted 9/7/2014 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! I will start a new thread. I've heard of Igenex and will look into that as well. You all are wonderful for providing so much support. I am trying to stay strong and hoping for a day when I have an answer and can get some relief from this awful pain.
Posted 9/8/2014 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
It is common for steroids to make Lyme symptoms worse, because they are immunosuppressants. Your body is working hard to fight the bacteria, then the steroids knock your immune system down.
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