Recently Diagnosed with Lyme, Struggling with Vision Problems

I am 22 years old and I have been diagnosed with Lyme 3 weeks ago and put on 28 days of doxy. The doctors believe I got infected sometime this past summer. The main symptoms I am experiencing are vision problems, dizziness, light sensitivity, ringing ears, trouble focusing, fatigue and random fevers. The worst by far is the vision trouble.

Now I have been on the antibiotics for 18 days and I am still experiencing my symptoms sometimes worst than before. I told my doctor and she gave me 28 more days of doxy and offered to set up an appointment with an infectious disease specialist.

Looking on the internet it is so easy get lost looking for answers.

I would love any advice on how to combat these symptoms (especially with my vision) or any other stories about similar lyme experiences.

Vision problems were one of my daughter’s first symptoms of Lyme. Not to worry you, but she still has vision issues 6 months into treatment (late stage Lyme though). It is believed her symptoms will clear with successful treatment as not only our family eye specialist but also a neuro ophthalmologist has found no reason upon examination that her vision is doing what it is.
Keep treating and definitely find a knowledgeable doctor who knows about Lyme (LLMD). Otherwise you are taking fast steps backwards. We went to many doctors at a top hospital in the country. Not one believed she had Lyme or other related infections. If you have a positive Lyme test though, you may be ahead of the game.
Best wishes.

Hey Casen, welcome to the forum (although unpleasant the circumstances that have prompted it). I’m also of similar age so i know what you’re feeling.

The ID specialist most likely wont be of any help, but if you got cash to blow, you may as well (thats just my opinion). Dont stop taking the Doxy but it wont be enough to combat the infections. To echo others, you need a LLMD (Lyme literate medical doctor). Make a post or inbox Girlie (moderator) - she has a list of possible LLMD’s in your area. Make seeing an LLMD your priority.

Your symptoms are typical of lyme and some co-infections. Can you elaborate on what your eye symptoms are? I’m fairly open with my eye symptoms - random blurriness, light sensitivity, haloes around lights, floaters - but there doesnt seem to be too many on here that are experiencing the same - dont let it discourage you though.
Go to a opthalmologist/optometrist at least to get a base line; that way you can track changes down the road.

Make the appointments and keep us in the loop - we’re all here for ya.

Burghson, thats really good news you’ve got your eye symptoms under control - may i ask what kind of protocol/abx helped? and were the glasses due to damage or age etc related? Very interesting about the doxy and eye correlation - i wont be jumping off the doxy anytime soon to test it though lol

Hi DeadMan,

The need for glasses was definitely because of Lyme. I'm 33 (32 when I started getting sick) and never had vision problems prior to this. All the issues I mentioned previously hit me all at once. As far as treatment protocol, I really wasn't doing anything other than doxy early on and that seemed to at least be enough to start pushing me in the right direction (I have A LOT of other symptoms that I'm still treating, however). I did start seeing a nutritionist that deals with lyme patients and he put me on a detox diet and supplement plan, but I was already noticing improvements prior to this and don't feel it was a major contributor in hitting these symptoms.

As for the doxy and eye issues that I mentioned... doxy can cause pressure to build up in the brain and sometimes leads to blurred vision. This isn't super common and is usually temporary. All of my symptoms regarding head and neck pressure got significantly worse when I started taking it which I believe was a major factor with my vision problems. I've also had chronic sinus issues that seem to make these symptoms worse (I get occasional flare ups but nothing that lasts more than a day or so).

I've been to the ophthalmologist several times in the last year and there doesn't seem to be any noted damage done to the eye or optic nerve so I'm still somewhat hopeful that if I keep treating I can get back to 100% or close.

I have really severe Lyme vision issues. Here is a quick list of treatments that I have found useful.

To sooth eyes externally - MSM liquid eye drops
Minocycline - helps me #1
Amox -
NAD+
NAC
B12 methyl - IM - noticeable
Multi B
Lutein - 40mg - improvement (Puritans Pride)
Loratadine

Many Thanks to everyone who posted on this topic. I was diagnosed with Lyme a year ago after struggling with symptoms for 5 years. I am in my 50s and am the queen of vision problems. I’ve also been diagnosed with cone/rod dystrophy but am questioning if the Lyme is more responsible for my dim, foggy, blurry vision. I also have trouble deciphering what objects are. I have swirling circles in my vision as well as what look to be clouds. I am due for a visit to the ophthalmologist as I’m sure I have optic nerve damage. Yet I know inflammation in my brain is high. Thank you for any thoughts. I’m hopeful that Lyme hasn’t rendered me blind.