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I am a 31 year old female. about 4 months ago I started getting pain in my back. This lasted quite a few weeks and during this time I went to the doctor a few times and a physiotherapist but to no avail. Physio didn't help and the doctor kept saying it was probably anxiety related (pain caused anxiety). I began to feel nerve pain down my arms. This feeling would come and go and at first the physiotherapist thought it could be related to my back injury. The pain in my back eventually went away but the nerve pain kept progressing. This was unaccompanied by muscle aches, sharp shooting pain in my arms, nerve pain all over my body including my face and head, muscle tenderness, pain in my joints and feeling of confusion and forgetfulness. At times I struggle to find the words I want to use. Some days I have headaches that are so severe and a sensitivity to light where my eyes will begin to burn (this doesn't happen so often). I had an MRI a few weeks ago where they scanned my brain for lesions and any signs of MS. The results came back completely normal. I'm waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist which could take up to 3 months. I'm extremely anxious and worried and it seems to be all I can think about.
The symptoms seem to be getting worse, although there are sometimes a day or two in a week where I don't feel so bad.
Has anyone had these similar symptoms?
I ordered a test kit from igenex last week. I'm hoping it arrives soon so I can get checked for Lyme disease. Would my symptoms be much worse if it was Lyme? I am able to walk and haven't felt weakness in my limbs but do feel achy and my arms are tender to touch. I also get a throbbing pain behind my knees which comes and goes.

Thank you Pete.
I do not recall getting bitten by a tick, although I did spend a lot of time in wooded areas last summer just north of Toronto. one time specifically I came home with at least 20-30 bites on my legs but I can't recall if any looked like tick bites.

I live in Ontario an unfortunately there aren't any doctors here that will treat Lyme if this is in fact what it is.

gtamom said...
Hi Exana, we live in Ontario and see a very knowledgeable LLND here. Going forward should you need help in this area, it is available.

Thank you GTAmom. I will be in touch should I need to get in contact with an LLND.
Has the naturopathic route helped you?

Denikeef said...
Hello Exana,

Your symptoms and what you have been through sound very similar to mine except that mine has
progressed to the point of an inability to walk without help due to weakness and pain. My vision and
hearing have also been affected.

I did all the testing you are doing as well with no results.

I finally sent for an Igenix test kit and it did show Lyme. But often times Lyme needs to be a clinical
diagnoses through a LLMD.

Your symptoms do sound like they could be Lyme as well as some co-infections. The symptoms for me would come and go as well and I think that is typical for Lyme.

Everyone has different symptoms. Some not as bad as yours, some much worse and as was said
previously neverr the same. And it does not affect the legs in everyone.

If it is Lyme you need to get a treatment started so it doesn't get worse.

I didn't listen to everyone who told me to check for Lyme and to start treatment and now I wish I had.

I was advised by the Mods. on here to get a LLMD right away. You probably should too. It takes months to
get into them often times and you could always cancel later if you decide it is not Lyme. In the meantime you may want to get started on a protocol for Lyme. I am using Buhner's.

Have you checked the symptom lists on the New to Lyme page? If not it may help you further decide if it could be Lyme.

Good Luck!

Denise

Hi Denise,

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry to hear that you have been affected so badly by Lyme.

I checked the symptom list and I can say that I have some of the symptoms listed.

I know that you cannot list doctors on the boards but do you have any resources that you can share where I can find an LLMD near Ontario. I read that there is a well known LLMD in Buffalo. Anyone have experience with this doctor?
Any information that you can share is greatly appreciated.

Exana,

It sounds like gtamom has a great LLMD. It would probably help to email her. But you can also make a new post. Put 'looking for LLMD in Ontario' in subject line. That may get a few other ideas as well.Good Luck!

Laker7491 said...
Exana, I had my tests done with Igenix through a LLMD. I did not show positive but had several important areas that had just one +, which can happen for a number of reasons. My LLMD has been treating only chronic illnesses for 30 years, so he diagnosed me just from the symptoms. He suspected that I have had it for a minimum of two years. I never saw a tick or a rash, but I do remember being really sick for about 6 weeks with swollen joints. No one thought to test me for lyme then. Just keep that in mind. Best of luck.

Hi Laker, I have been numerous times to the doctor in the last few months and this last time when I mentioned Lyme, he explained how the tests performed here in Canada are highly inaccurate and there was nothing more he could do for me. Any other tests or treatment required would not be covered by the provincial health plan or my health insurance. I began researching online and only then did I realize the lack of information that most doctors have regarding Lyme and how little one can get treated here in Canada. This is a huge flaw in the health care system!

How are you feeling since you've been seeing your LLMD? I hope your symptoms have improved.

A few weeks ago I woke up and couldn't move the joints in my hands. This was terrifying. I have been seeing an acupuncturist since then and luckily that one symptom has improved. The muscle aches and tenderness have been worse than I'm used to these last few days. Hoping I get some relief and answers soon

Hi Exana, welcome to our community!
I am a fellow Canadian. I'm from BC where lyme treatment isn't so difficult to get. We have several LLND's here - probably about a dozen.

When you test with Igenex...if funds are tight and you want to get the best bang for your buck - then order the Lyme WB IgM and IgG - it costs $210 (US $).

If you email me, I will provide you with the information I have on Dr.'s in Ontario...and also information on if you want to travel to BC. It's a long flight and expensive, but my LLND will do an initial consult in person, and following that - phone or Skype appts. He is in Richmond (outskirts of Vancouver)
ND's in BC can be licensed to prescribe antibiotics...if you're wanting to stay in Canada...and do the antibiotic route.

Save all your expense receipts (not supplements) - medications, travel, etc. and submit when doing your income tax.

Very strange but over the last 2 weeks some of my initial symptoms have disappeared but now I have abdominal and pelvic pain. It comes and goes throughout the day and at some moments can be quite intense. I also have a constant urge to burp.
Is this a Lyme symptom?

Hello Exana,

I am also in southern Ontario and am planning on seeing many LLND's in the region once my test results are in. It would be good to share experiences that we have with different LLND's as they will all have different approaches. We may be able to advise on treatment approaches, if you feel like sharing this feel free to send me an e-mail! I know of a few directly I plan on seeing and one that I have seen north of Whitby, who helped me clear my Candida fog, signed my request for for igenex and advise me on possible co-infections and give me a crash course sort of deal. He was very helpful, and cost was reasonable. (I am in the Niagara Region). Feel free to keep in touch as I am also attempting to treat without abx.

I still have it from when you originally helped me have my emotional epiphany Girlie :) Unless you have new ones since Feb?

Asmoline said...
I still have it from when you originally helped me have my emotional epiphany Girlie :) Unless you have new ones since Feb?

lol - No, I don't. It's obvious that I can't keep track of who I've sent the information to...

Girlie said...

Asmoline said...
I still have it from when you originally helped me have my emotional epiphany Girlie :) Unless you have new ones since Feb?

lol - No, I don't. It's obvious that I can't keep track of who I've sent the information to...

I'm not suprised, I see you doing it daily and its been months :)