Not sure if Lyme, but not sure what most appropriate board would be...

Hey Y'all,

Currently, I have numb, tingling lower extremities and knee pain... in cycles. And now my upper back has been sore for a month... I've had two Lyme tests... the first one negative, the second one negative but with band IGG 41 present. And a history of a known tick bite... no rash or symptoms around that time.

Some background. 3-4 years ago I went through a fun chapter in my life where I had some severe pelvic pain problems. Initially a bunch of antibiotics were thrown at it. Rocephin, Doxycycliene, Bactrim Septra, Cipro, and Ceftin. While know bacteria was ever found and no antibiotics ever really helped me. In any event, I had a bad reaction to the Cipro... burning lower legs. A common symptom and life ruining one at that. I was on and off Cipro in less than 72 hours.

Fast forward last year... I had kind of rehabbed myself back into somewhat of a functional state however I work at a desk a lot and due to my leg problems and pelvis problems had been kneeling on a hard floor a lot. Then I re-carpeted my entire house and was running up and down stairs carrying heavy things to the point where I ended up injuring my knees and hobbling around the house with a cane for a month.

I was tested for a Vitamin D deficiency which I've been trying to supplement as well as visiting a chiropractor and trying to do more daily exercise and stretching but at this point I experience cycles of getting better, then getting worse and my legs and knees are numb and tingling.

I'm not racing to treat for Lyme but am concerned to say the least. It most definitely could be Lyme... or it could be side effects years later from being floxxed. I don't know. I have had bloodwork done twice which didn't show any inflammatory response in my body and aside from the D my levels look fine.

I am gearing up to go back to the GP but at this point not sure where to go. Should I try to get an MRI on everything? Xrays on my knees.

so basically, if i've been infected for years untreated i will have chronic lyme and the rest of my life will be intravenous antibiotics and a slow death?

Ibshellz -

Chronic Lyme disease treatment is a long journey towards wellness, but it is NOT common for people to die from it.

You don't have to do IV antibiotics - many do not. Oral antibiotics are used even in chronic cases.
There are also herbal options.

I have been on this forum since May and I have read many posts of forum members who have significant improvement while treating and some are symptom free.

The key is to persevere and not give up - it can take a long time, but if you stick with it and do what is necessary (detox, eat healthy, support your body systems, rest, and kill the lyme bacteria) you will feel better.

Have you read the "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread yet? That would be the best place to start actually, including detoxing.

Then yes, cut out sugar and all highly processed foods - no fast food or "junk" food. Eat as healthy as you can and use as little prepackaged foods as possible.

Stay well hydrated. We drink lemon water to help keep the body in a more alkaline state. The bacteria and viruses like a more acidic body, so this helps keep them 'uncomfortable'.

Do you need help in finding a LLMD? We can likely help with that as well.

Don't let it overwhelm you - just take things one step at a time. I literally just got done writing those exact same words to someone else.

Most of us were overwhelmed with the 'big picture' of everything, but if you break it down to steps and only concentrate on what's next, it's not so bad. So hang in there and just start with the first steps, like how's your diet? Do you drink enough water? If so, just add some lemon juice to it - if not, then up the amount of water you drink and add lemon to it.

Cut out sugar. You can use stevia for a sweetener. There are several brands out there, so find one that you like. I can't use anything but straight stevia (the others bother my digestion), so read labels and find one that you can use.

Change anything else in your diet you need to for it to be consider quite healthy.

You can just concentrate on that for a few days - or a week if you need to. Then we can move on to detoxing. Just take one thing at a time.

Do you have a LLMD that you wish to see? If not, we can likely help with that as well.

Would you be willing to email me and tell me the general area where you are located? I have a listing of contact info for many LLMD'S that I have been building for a few years, I might have a listing for someone near you.

The other option would be to use an herbal or natural protocol to heal. Many of us are using herbal protocols to heal.

Just click the envelope option underneath Travelers name. Or go to Traveler's profile and cut and paste her email address.

You can enable your email option in your profile and then members can contact you with information on LLMD's. Just let us know the nearest big city to you or the region you are willing to travel.

Were you able to send me an email? I have a LLMD listed in Hawley, Pa, Laceyville, PA and in Red Hook, NY and a couple in New City, NY.

Many of us have or do travel 5 hours to see a LLMD - it's worth the time in most cases!! Think on this carefully, as we are talking about your health which is literally priceless - ask someone that has had these infections for many years!!

Well, quinolone poisoning wouldn't have cycles in it's symptoms like you have described. The symptoms would stay steady, increase or decrease, but not in a cyclical routine.