Could this be Lyme

Greetings everyone

All the members seem so informed about Lyme here. I thought I would try to get your opinions about the afflictions I currently have, if you don't mind. I will do my best at keeping this as short as possible.

I love to hike, my sons and I hike about a 100 miles every summer. I don't use Deet on my skin, as I'm allergic to it. I will only spray it on my clothes when we hike. I have found sesame oil works well but is very suffocating for the pores of the skin. Oh, I live in New England.

I don't get along with bugs. I have mild reactions to bug bites. If a Black Fly bites me, I get a large deep red, swollen, painful area about 3" in diameter, with a small blister in the center. (I hate bugs) So if a tick bite does the same, I wouldn't know the difference.

October of 2012, I was sitting on the couch and all of the sudden both my hands started severely cramping, but the muscles where still pliable. Because I was taking Statins, I thought it was being caused by that. I never took another Statin again.

Since then I have had two negative Lyme tests and an array of different symptoms. The only items that was off on my labs were my vitamin D level (13) and a slightly elevated WBC.
Short list of other symptoms.

Knees ache
I haven't slept in 2 years
Thunderclap headaches, now daily Ice Pick headaches (I have never been a headache person)
Stabbing pain in my face, eyes, ears and jaw
Feels like I have tendonitis everywhere
Feels like wasp stings on my hands and feet
Hot feet
My fingers and toes move on their own (fun to watch but annoying)
Fatigue (sometimes profound)
Twitching!!

I had another Dr appointment this past Wednesday. My Doc feels I have Lyme, so we discussed having the Igenex test done. I'm currently waiting for her to set up the testing trough Igenex and also setting up a sleep study.

The biggest questions..... (1) How accurate is the Igenex test? (2) Does any of this sound like Lyme to you?

I don't want to become obsessed on my issues but, I also don't want to turn a blind eye to them either. If that makes sense. I'm trying to be grounded and educated in my thought process. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advanced.

Hi Mom of 2,

No, you shouldn't turn a blind eye to your symptoms, they are significant. I'm glad your doctor is considering a diagnosis of Lyme.

While the IgeneX test is better than others, it still relies on detecting antigens to the disease. If your body's immune system is depressed because of the Lyme or another tick-borne infection, your results will be affected. There are also many different strains of the bacteria that cause the disease, some are not detected by the test.

When your results come in, you will want to see a Lyme Literate Doctor, whatever the test says. The test will provide some information, but should not be relied on for a definitive diagnosis. A LLMD will diagnose you clinically. This is a disease that needs specialist treatment.

Good for you for being so vigilant!