MS or Lyme. . .

Hi to the group! I was diagnosed 11+ years ago with RR MS, Optic Neuritis in my left eye.
Over those past years I have been to well known clinics, DR's, and tested and done every CAM and integrative doctor. MS is difficult to understand, yet they could never explain all my "other symptoms" (practically every symptom noted with Lyme)
I have continually insisted that there was something else going on with me (hormones, virus ~ I'm not a DR!!)
FINALLY, through a wonderful Functional Medicine DR here in Savannah, GA I am getting somewhere.
Which is where I could use some guidance. Just got my blood work back and my CD8-CD57 is 1.4 and my Abs. CD8-CD57 is 24. I understand this is low so I went today for the Igenex C3a & C4a test.
My Dr and I talked about SO many things . (I am also dealing Reverse T3 and balancing my hormones and cortisol levels.)
I understand this is not going to be a simple fix. I'm just relieved to have finally someone who is listening and taking action! any suggestions, guidance is much appreciated. Where do I go next. . more tests?
note: I do not take any of the MS therapy drugs, eat healthy (Currently trying to follow Wahls Protocol) Anything I can start doing or reading now?
Cautiously Optimistic

Hi gmsjones - welcome to the forum.

Yes - there are many things you can do. You can start by reading the "new to Lyme? Start here" thread at the top of the page. It has lots of good info - especially the detoxing section. Detoxing is very important as once the lyme bacteria dies, it produces endotoxins into your system and causes a herxheimer reaction which results in a worsening of your symptoms. The detoxing helps your body rid itself of these toxins and allows it to heal more effectively.
Some simple ones are drinking lots of water each day with lemon juice squeezed into it; dry brushing your skin; Epsom salt baths.

The members of this forum will help you along your journey and provide support. Lyme disease is a tough one but we all will get through it together.

You should also find a LLMD to diagnose and treat you as Lyme disease is a complex disease and requires a Dr who is well educated and experienced in treating Lyme disease.

To help find a LLMD, start a new thread with the subject "Looking for LLMD in _______________" and insert your state.

Then enable your email so members can send you names of drs in your area.

Post Edited (Girlie) : 11/17/2014 7:03:22 PM (GMT-7)

Hi gmsjones,

Welcome! So many members here was first diagnosed with MS (as well as fibro, lupis, etc.) only to find out they had lyme all along... It wouldn't hurt to get tested by IgeneX (www.igenex.com) though lyme is truly a clinical diagnosis.

Research Dr. Lida Mattman who said this back in 1997:

www.avonhistory.org/bug/l2.htm

NEWS ARTICLE from TICK TALK - May/June 1997, by Kim Weber

"Researcher Reveals Possible Lyme & Multiple Sclerosis Connection

Known for her work in pathology and her extensive research in cell wall deficient bacteria, Lida H. Mattman, Ph.D., is rocking the medical community with her discoveries in Lyme disease and Multiple Sclerosis. On May 6th [1997] in Saginaw, Michigan, Mattman spoke to Lyme patients and medical professionals who were captivated by her slides and research findings on spirochetes.

Behind her self-deprecating humor is a dedicated researcher and pioneer in her field. Mattman, Professor Emeritus, Dept.of Biology, at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) is also a mother motivated by a daughter who was diagnosed with Lyme Disease (LD) a few years ago.

Since then, Mattman has focused her attention on how to find a more reliable and reproducible way of finding the infection -- in culturing the spirochete from blood samples. In the last year, she has found such a method; and in the process, has also identified another spirochete that could be the causative agent in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

When asked at the meeting if MS is a spirochetal disease like LD, Mattman replied with an unequivocal "yes". She went on to show slides of the various diseases caused by different spirochetes - including MS. Each disease was characterized by a variety of disfiguring and debilitating symptoms - all of which, Mattman pointed out, were treatable with appropriate antibiotics.

Dr. Mattman's new method of culturing the spirochete was featured at this year's 10th Annual International Conference at the NIH in Bethesda, MD. Viewed as one of the most important discoveries presented at the Poster Session, Mattman's technique may be a new Gold Standard for determining spirochetal infections and persistent disease.

Best to you!
Denise

All great advice and I wish you the best in your journey to health! If you haven't yet watch under our skin. It's on YouTube and hulu.