My Cousin Tested Positive for Lyme, But Doesn't Believe She Has It!

Hey, Y'all!

My cousin, who lives in New Jersey, suffered from painful swelling knees, swelling ankles and roseola. Her doctor sent her to a rheumatoid arthritis specialist who suspected that she had Lyme disease. I'm fairly sure that her original blood test was negative for Lyme, and she was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Several months to a year later, she had knee surgery, and the fluid on her knee tested positive for Lyme.

She had heard that Lyme tests are not reliable, and she is unaware of having been bitten by a tick. Therefore, she thinks the positive result is a false positive.

Her doctor prescribed antibiotics and she reduced the dose because she thought he was giving her too much.

She is currently taking cortisone shots and she thinks she is doing okay with that treatment.

Opinions? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Jane

Hey, Roxie.

Thanks for your input.

I spoke with my aunt today and she did say that cortizone is a steroid. And I shared what is said here about steroids causing problems for Lyme sufferers.

I've tried to get my cousin to come to this site, but, since she doesn't think she has Lyme, she is unlikely to come. I'm hoping her mother will join us.

My cousin has a co-worker with chronic Lyme, and that might be part of her problem in believing she has Lyme because his symptoms are so much worse than hers.

Of course, I may be wrong about her having Lyme. I don't know which test she took or what the exact result is, so I'm unable to share that.

Jane

Sarah, I thought that when the fluid on her knee tested positive for Lyme, the actual bacteria was found there. Am I confused about that?

Jane

Yep, pretty definitive! I can look for some articles to help back this up - or you can. You can only get the information to people, then it's up to them to take action.

It is a hard diagnosis yo accept sometimes especially if one has been sick for a long time and run the the maze that is our medical system. She has to do what she thinks is right until she is convinced what she is doing is not helping herself get well then she may be open but testing positive is not easy to do. Many of us dont get such a clear answer. You are a caring relative, friend.

Thanks, Roxie and Blue. My cousin doesn't listen to me. I'm helping my aunt learn more about this disease so she can, hopefully, pass the info on to her daughter.

Jane