LLMD in southern Oregon?

Hi, everyone. I'm brand spankin' new on this site. I'll try to relate my story in a nutshell, if possible.

I haven't been diagnosed with Lyme, but I'm thinking, after quite a bit of research, that that is what I have. Chronic Lyme, if anything. I live in southern Oregon and, according to local medical professionals (i.e., MD's), it's unlikely that anyone contracts Lyme around here. They brought it in from somewhere else. OK, well, I was in Mass. about ten years ago banging around in swampy areas around the Cape, hiking, biking, kayaking through the cattails. So, yes, it is possible...

I've been living with psoriasis for around 25 years now (at least that's what the docs think it is), which I've kept at bay occasionally with strong topical steroids (Clobex). I did have occasional lightheadedness and subtle all-over body tremor, relived by shade, water and relaxation. Last year I had 2-3 bouts of nasty fatigue which kept me on the couch for 2-3 days at a time. My recent saga, and the beginning of what I think is an acceleration of the process, started with a roving patch of numb/tingly skin, lasting a day or two then moving on to some other area of my body, for a few weeks at a time. Add to that tinnitis for about 1 1/2 years. Around April I was traveling to a family gathering on the Washington state coast and felt the usual numbness on the outside of my hands/forearms and some of my outer toes. A few days later the right half of my body began to buzz internally, all of a sudden, and I developed an essential tremor in my right arm and hand. That freaked me out. It lasted about three days and disappeared as suddenly as it began.

My research led me to things like possible MS. Again, freaked out. I got in with a neurologist, had a brain MRI (no C- or T-spine) and what was revealed were "a few scattered hyperintensities in the white matter" attributed to "age" (I'm 40). No MS, the doc said as he led me out the door. "Congratulations, you never have to walk back through these doors," he said. I was glad for a lot of reasons.

I have had pain in my back and joints, especially when working hard (I'm now a landscape designer/contractor) out in the yard, and so bought a hot tub and used it frequently. It helped. Still does, although my joint/muscle/connective tissue aches are now accompanied by a messed up sleep pattern (my achiness wakes me multiple times a night; I often awaken in the early hours and get up because I can't go back to sleep; my bedsheet looks like an accordion because I've been rolling around so much trying to get comfortable) as well as a very regular body buzz/tremor. I tried riding my bike with my wife and kids recently and had to get off and walk because I thought I might fall over.

This is only getting worse. I have a friend who is a naturopath/accupuncturist/healer who has agreed to sign off on my blood work for Lyme testing (through IGeneX in CA) so that I can get a thorough screening for Lyme. I can't work for more than ten minutes out in the sun, breaking any kind of a sweat, without paying for it for two or three days with horrible body aches and utter fatigue. The docs are saying Fibromyalgia, but I always thought that was kind of a catch-all for whatever they couldn't otherwise diagnose. Am I wrong here? Now I'm reading some potent material about the relationship between chronic Lyme and the symptoms of things like CFS, FM, Gulf War syndrome, etc., not to mention the documentary I just watched, called "Under Our Skin". Just looking for answers, starting with a good LLMD in my area. Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent a bit. Thanks.

You certainly have many lyme symptoms and especially in light of your outdoor work, I would be sure to be tested through Igenex. However, I would highly recommend an LLMD who can explain both your test results as well as review your situation and order co-infection tests. So sorry to hear you are sick. There are so many wonderful people on this forum. Hopefully we can be of help to you.

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