Newbie

Hi I am new to this and it’s the first time I have been on any sort of forum for Lyme. I have been in denial for the past 12 months about my diagnosis (due to the country in which I live), until recently when I ended in hospital for over a week with Viral Meningitis with an unknown origin. I have never been so sick in my life. I have recently started treatment and am on Doxy, Plaquenil, artemisinin, P2 Detox, Poly C and about the start Azithromycin. I had a fall at work in May and had knee surgery in July where the surgeon was shocked by the degeneration of my cartilage. Unfortunately after a trip over seas I returned with Viral meningitis and it’s been down hill since then. I am due to go back in for surgery this week and am having increase symptoms of my “Lyme” and co-infections. Last night I could hardly sleep due to painful toes, burning and red and swollen. I am not sure what this is. I have been to the chemist and he thinks its from the sun (I wore thongs the other day). I have had a pedicure one week ago and was worried I had gotten an infection from there or something?? But it’s on both feet and all toes. I also have the ice cold feeling in both my hands and my feet - excruciating. As I live in a country where this disease doesn’t exist I find it difficult to talk to anyone about it. I have a great LLMD but she is over an hour away from my place and I can’t jut duck in and see her when I am not well. My tests results for Borrelia were positive and since the Meningitis symptoms of co-infections of Babesia and Bartonella have been very strong.
Are there any good places to chat to people without the negative side of things? I struggle with negativity

Hi Kaglea -

I also welcome you to our community. You'll find a lot of good information and support from the members, here. So don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have or just share how you're doing.

I agree with Girlie's suggestions - believe it or not, you are fortunate to a) have a positive test, b) have an LLMD already, c) have one only an hour away. So - you have a LOT going for you already and that can be helpful to know.

Still, treatment can be quite confusing with so much responsibility placed on us to figure things out. But we can help you.

The problems going on in your hands and feet are likely neurological based and this could be from damage or inflammation - sudden onset might suggest inflammation. My Lyme-knowledgeable neurologist suggests inflammation is the cause of most Lyme & Co neuropathy. I like turmeric and Japanese knotweed to help with my inflammation (although be careful with the JK - it is an antimicrobial).

Do warm soaks or compresses help at all?

Hope you can find some relief. Maybe others will chime in with suggestions.

-p