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Hi, old member sick again with Lyme

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Posted 12/30/2012 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys! I posted here a few years ago when I was sick with Lyme and bartonella. I became well with three years of antibiotics, but I am sick again. The tests show old and new Lyme infections - something that confuses me a little. I barely step off pavement. I half-jokingly say I have PTSD from the original tick bite! I have an appointment with my old Lyme doctor at the end of January and have been on Biaxin and Plaquenil for about six weeks.

It's been pretty devastating to be sick again, but I am trying to stay positive and I have reached the acceptance stage. I know much more about Lyme this time around, and I also realize the importance of detoxing and immune support. I'm also planning to learn a lot more about herbal protocols.

I've been lurking for awhile and just wanted to say hi to y'all :-)
Posted 12/30/2012 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi bluebyyou,
So sorry to hear you are dealing with this again. I have a friend who was treated 3 years ago but has come back with both acute and chronic infections. Do you think you were bitten again?

My heart goes out to you. I am sure you are miles ahead of where you were last time you were here which I would think is good to feel more empowered this time. Can't wait to hear what you did last time and what new successes you will have this time.

By the way, did you ever have an HLA test done last time? Just curious as I've been reading a lot about the test.

Best of luck!
Posted 12/30/2012 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Can I ask what the HLA test is? Is this the test that checks for co-infections?  bluebyyou, If you got through it once, I would think your chances of getting through it again are even better now-a-days. Good luck, sounds like you have the upper hand.
Posted 12/30/2012 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
bluebyyou,

Welcome back to the forum! Thanks for saying Hi.

Yes, there is a lot to learn about this illness and health. Fortunately for you, you are way ahead in knowledge compared to when you started last time. Good luck on your journey.

Don
Posted 12/30/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bluebyyou!!
Welcome back!! I'm so sorry that you have reason to be back though! Hopefully we can help you with any new info that may have come out since your last fight with these infections!

I'm not sure if the info in the "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread holds anything new for you or not, but I'm sure it would be worth your while to read through it - if you haven't already - just to be sure!

We actually have quite a few people here doing either just herbs or using herbal products along with the abx, so I'm sure you can find or ask for just about any info that you may be interested in about the different herbs used with these infections! The more knowledgeable LLMD's are now using herbs along with the abx and finding they usually have much better results.

You're so right - you know so much more this time around and you will learn even more I'm sure! Hang in there!! As it was before, we are here for you to vent, find understanding, get support and information. :-)
Posted 1/1/2013 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
 

I don't think I was bitten again, but I am not 100% sure... Someone told me that the spirochetes can come out of the tissues when they think the coast is clear, and the body responds as if it is a treating a new infection, which can be why the body produces the IgM antibodies.  When I first got tested, years ago, I had a chronic and acute infection as well, so it's confusing. I want to ask my doctor about this at my appointment.

I think the Lyme could have returned awhile ago, but I did not recognize the symptoms as Lyme - I was not sleeping as much and assumed having less energy was from stress. (The first time around, I was extremely fatigued.) The last couple of years have been extremely stressful in almost all areas of my life. This fall, the shooting and stabbing pains, the burning, constant sore throat, joint pain, and weakness and other tell-tale symptoms all returned, and I knew in my heart it was Lyme. So, I'm not sure if all that stress weakened my immune system, and the opportunistic Lyme bacteria made its move, or if I was re-infected unknowingly.

I can't remember what kind of test the doctor did for the bartonella - sorry about that. HLA test sounds familiar, though.

Post Edited (bluebyyou) : 1/2/2013 6:28:39 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/1/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Bluebyyou,

I'm in the same situation. I can't believe I have to go through this again. While I'm not as sick as the first time, I'm emotionally in the toilet as I just don't have the fight to do it again. It's so disheartening after finally getting better to be back here again. Lets hope 2013 brings us all some relief.
Posted 1/1/2013 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bluebyyou,

I do believe I remember you!  Anyway, I'm so sorry that you are not feeling well.  It may not be lyme itself that is making you feel sick, it could be all those toxins left over that you never got rid of.

If I were in your shoes, I would concentrate on heavy detoxing right now.  Trust me, when I first heard the word "detox" I thought people were nuts.  I said to myself "what in the world does detoxing have to do with lyme bacteria?"  Made no sense to me at all.  I simply could not connect the dots back then.

Dr. Jernigan wrote an article called "Lyme Toxins, the Primary Cause of your Symptoms" (let me see if I can find this article)... 

The only article I can find is in PDF file (so you need to have Adobe Reader installed in order to read it):

http://www.benbrew.com/lb/lyme5.pdf

Below is another interesting article that Dr. J. wrote about antibiotics:

http://www.townsendletter.com/April2007/antibioticlyme0407.htm

Hope this helps,

Denise

 

Posted 1/2/2013 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bluebyyou, thanks for joining us again. I along with others I'm sure live in fear that the infection will surface again. It is so bizarre that this bacteria can live in our bodies and come back years later. That being said, we all know that studies are so new when it comes to lyme. We can only hope that someday they will begin to study postmortem lyme patients.

I have found that a change in lifestyle was what finally helped me quiet the lyme infections. HOwever, we all know we cannot live stressfree forever. Thankfully, you were able to recognize and acknowledge that it was the lyme surfacing again. So many people live everyday believing their doctors that there is no way they could "still" have lyme years later, much to their detriment.

I am so hopeful you will be able to get back in tiptop shape with the proper treatment.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Posted 1/2/2013 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, Denise!!!
"Hi bluebyyou,
I do believe I remember you!" - you made a rhyme!! Giggle! turn

I may be a bit tired still this morning, can you tell? Giggle!
Posted 1/3/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
 Hi Denise, I remember you too! Nice to "see" you again! :-) Thanks for posting those links! I am going to read them.

GreenT, I am so sorry to hear you are sick again. We will get through this!

Are you back in treatment?

Springsjean, you are so right about keeping stress levels down. Interestingly enough, when things calmed down a bit this fall, a lot of the tell-tale symptoms returned.

Thank to everyone for the warm welcome!

 

Posted 1/5/2013 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi bluebyyou,

I am so sorry! gah! :(

As far as lyme recurring, thought I would add my understanding.......as was mentioned above I believe...the bacteria are never totally eradicated from the body.

But the body in a healthy state keeps them under control.

My understanding is the lyme stays dormant in a cyst form (It is active in a spirochete form and also in a no-cell-wall form (cell membrane)....it exists in three states.

And if the body gets into an imbalanced state..from excessive stress, toxins, an illness, etc...then it become a "good" living place for the bacteria and they come out of cyst form into spirochete form and can start migrating through the collagen in the body to areas of greatest weakness and start causing symptoms.

I think it is important to detox, de-stress, drink lot of water, eat well, etc. Try to figure out what caused the body to get into a stress state and then get back into balance.

I also think that it will not be so hard this time around! I hope you bounce back quickly!!

Nan
Posted 1/6/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Nan! I hope you are on your way to feeling better, too!

I had a ton of family crises over the past couple of years. It's just been blow after blow. I need to work on not letting big things stress me out. I can shrug off small things no problem! It's one of my New Year's resolutions, actually, to find effective ways to relax. I always felt like I was wound up too tight, and I could never make the feeling go away.

Here's to a better new year! :-)
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