New Here I think I have had LD for some years.
I was treated for the disease 11 years ago. I had the ring mark and went to the doctor, was given antibiotics. They tested me after the treatment. I couldn't afford to pay for two tests. The post-treatment test was negative so there never was a confirmation that I was infected. I did get flu-like symptoms the same day I started the medication.
Prior to this, I had been diagnosed with ADHD after having had several years of Tourette's symptoms. Three years ago I was having very high blood pressure during the night and bought myself a c-pap off of craig's list after several scary nights. (please don't yell at me for doing this, I don't have insurance; it was buy it or have serious consequences.) Later I got on blood pressure medication and Prozac for anxiety. I still require the c-pap as my O2 sats go down to 93% when I lie down. The anxiety and breathing problem may or may not have anything to do with LD. I have had a rather traumatized life which could be the sourse of these problems.
It seems to me that I've been having mild LD symptoms (leg weakness, fatigue and fuzzy feeling in lower legs) until 1 1/2 years ago when I started having cognitive problems and paranoia. Then a year ago I began to have an illness "viral infection" according to the doctor: severe chronic fatigue, buzzing in my head, schizoid thinking, depersonalization, occasional paralysis and some aches in the gut that changed daily. This slowly improved and I didn't feel "well" until three months later.
In the middle of June, last summer, I had a relapse. The same symptoms came back with greater intensity. I had regular episodes of paralysis when my brain seemed to forget how to move my body. I had to think about
what to move and put my will into moving just to get a finger or toe to wiggle. But if the phone rang or I heard something on the radio which I detest like "Prairie Home Companion", I could break through immediately and turn the radio off or answer the phone. At times when I got up I felt like Frankenstein: my limbs would be rigid and body parts felt like they had been reassembled and didn't fit together anymore.
Also in the summer I was always warm and had to have air conditioning and a fan blowing on me. With no covers I'd lay down and have a pleasant fuzzy feeling envelope me, it felt like I was wrapped in a blanket. As summer progressed the fuzziness in my feet of the previous ten years started moving up my body until it reached my head in September. I was certain that I had ALS.
My former doctor wanted me to see a psychiatrist. I begged to see a neurologist. The Neuro exam was horrible. He didn't listen to me very well and asked few questions. He told me that I couldn't have ALS because I have had the symptoms too long and they weren't severe (persons can struggle for years with the mild symptoms of ALS). I was scolded for self-diagnosing my ADHD (after I told him it was confirmed by a psychiatrist) and for getting a c-pap on my own. This doctor did make a list of things to rule out. I don't remember if LD was on it.
I now believe that I probably have lyme disease. I've been been pointed to this a few days ago. The information on lymes is much different from what i remembered reading last. Everything I've experienced points to lymes. I don't have the severe pain though. So I would have dismissed the suggestion of having LD. I do have occasional joint pain and strange aches in my body, lethargy with slurred speech, burning sensations, brief localized stabbing headaches and lots of muscle spasms. But no severe pain, maybe because I'm taking Zango and using an ion cleanse foot soak every two days.
My doctor has left the practice. I will see my new doctor next week to discuss LD. I had seen him once before to get a second opinion after the other one wanted a psych consultation.
I would like to find another one who knows LD in case my new doctor doesn't fill the need.
Post Edited (Dog Day King) : 3/2/2012 9:53:50 PM (GMT-7)