Coming out of the woodwork...

Hey everyone :)

Once in a while I come on here to vent a bit and ask some questions. I'm usually just seeking reassurance I suppose.

For the most part, after about 2 years of treatment (antibiotics, herbs, etc) I would say my symptoms are 90% better besides severe neuropathy (seems to just be permanent damage). I have even had weeks where I would say that I have been "symptom free".

Unfortunately, for the past week, many symptoms are coming out of the woodwork suddenly. (joint pain, tendon pain, facial numbness, etc) I have not had a flare up like this in six months or so.

I know treatment can last years, I think I just need reassurance. I'm getting very depressed and scared and terrified that my symptoms are coming back and getting worse.

I have spoken to my llmd and am switching some things up so we do have a plan.

If anyone here wants to just make me feel better and remind me treatment can take a while that would be nice.

How long have you been treating? Were relapses common in your treatment? Can someone really become "symptom free" after years of treatment?

Thanks for reading :)

Thanks Traveler! Every time I come out of the woodwork, you are there to make me feel better :)

You know, I am going through an extremely stressful time right now, my girlfriend has asked me to leave the house. The day before I moved, is when these symptoms started. She has been amazing throughout this whole ordeal, she just needs a break from all the craziness as I have been impossible to deal with recently due to the severe nerve pain. My hope is that we can start to heal and be together again once my pain is under control and I can function like a normal human again. The good news is, I am due to be implanted with a spinal cord stimulator in the next couple months. I am so hopeful this will be what it takes to ease the pain and allow me to get my life back.

Maybe I am having a flare, not sure what the difference is between a flare and a relapse....My symptoms are not even close to what they were in the beginning. I'm just feeling mild symptoms resurfacing, kind of like a reminder of what once was...Either way its scary!

My llmd agrees that although I have never shown any babesia symptoms, there could be an underlying asymptomatic infection so I am now starting Mepron and Zithromax. I figure that I have nothing to lose by treating babs anyway..We are also considering going back to IV Ceftriaxone for six months (I did well with 28 days) and maybe playing around with other IV antibiotics. The only problem there is the cost. Would hate to rack up $10-20k on a credit card. On the other hand, if that's what it would take to get better than why the hell not ;)

Thanks for the advice Traveler, I will definitely look into carecredit!

At this point the spinal cord stimulator is my only hope for pain relief. I understand the surgery and recovery will be rough but the long term benefits of relief from chronic pain will be well worth it. Plus, if it is successful, I may even be able to stop using narcotics daily which will be awesome!

What immune modulators would you recommend?