Could Lyme Disease be my issue?

Hello,
I’m brand new here, so apologies if I miss any terminology, etc. I have symptoms that at least partially match up with Lyme Disease (later stage?), but curious if anyone might think I’m off target with that idea.

I live in MN (deer tick country) and fairly often hike in the woods and near high grass. Hiked quite a lot last year and once or twice again very early in the spring this year. I never saw a tick bite or a “bulls eye” rash, or had any immediate symptoms. In mid-April I suddenly experienced numbness on the left side of my face and experienced overall left-side numbness, but for just 10 minutes or so. For a few days afterward I had mild brain-fog and was tired. A trip to the ER revealed no evidence of stroke or TIA on CAT scans. Eventually I felt back to normal and had doctor’s appointments with my GP and a cardiologist, who found nothing and were skeptical that it had been a TIA (mini-stroke). Cardiologist noted elevated BP (which seems to happen mostly at the doctors for me, not so much at home) and put me on BP meds as of July 1.

On August 10, I again had sudden onset of left-side numbness, acute in the face and hand. Immediately went to ER and again, CAT scan with contrast and brain/neck MRI showed no evidence of stoke or lesions. But this time, the parasthesia persisted and has been constant now for 3 weeks. Left hand is usable, but constantly numb and I don’t have much dexterity with it. Facial palsy/numbness on the left side of mouth and lower cheek, is constant and has not abated, much like a "permanent" novocaine shot. Slight occasional numbness in left toes.

Lab tests were mostly unremarkable, but 1st Lyme test was equivocal for Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, rated high at 0.97 antibodies. The subsequent confirmation test – Anti Nuclear Aby IgG by IFA with Reflex – had an ANA interpretation of negative.

The general practitioner followed up and simply said “negative for Lyme Disease, see neurologist.” I felt like she might be dismissing it too quickly.

I’ve been referred to a neurologist but will not be able to get an appointment until October! That’s a very long wait and I worry about the possibility of the symptoms getting worse.

My wife and I have been googling symptoms every day; some potential culprits include MS, diabetes, and Lyme or some other viral or bacterial infection. I’m almost 60 which seems slightly late for Multiple Sclerosis onset, and while lab results show I’m “pre-diabetes” the symptoms seem too harsh for that, especially since they came on quickly and suddenly, like turning on a light. I’m also not overweight and a lot of the diabetic markers don’t seem like a fit for me.

So my question, during this long wait for a neurologist, is this: Do these symptoms seem to track for Lyme? Any feedback would be appreciated.

MnHiker said...
Hello,
I’m brand new here, so apologies if I miss any terminology, etc. I have symptoms that at least partially match up with Lyme Disease (later stage?), but curious if anyone might think I’m off target with that idea.

I live in MN (deer tick country) and fairly often hike in the woods and near high grass. Hiked quite a lot last year and once or twice again very early in the spring this year. I never saw a tick bite or a “bulls eye” rash, or had any immediate symptoms. In mid-April I suddenly experienced numbness on the left side of my face and experienced overall left-side numbness, but for just 10 minutes or so. For a few days afterward I had mild brain-fog and was tired. A trip to the ER revealed no evidence of stroke or TIA on CAT scans. Eventually I felt back to normal and had doctor’s appointments with my GP and a cardiologist, who found nothing and were skeptical that it had been a TIA (mini-stroke). Cardiologist noted elevated BP (which seems to happen mostly at the doctors for me, not so much at home) and put me on BP meds as of July 1.

On August 10, I again had sudden onset of left-side numbness, acute in the face and hand. Immediately went to ER and again, CAT scan with contrast and brain/neck MRI showed no evidence of stoke or lesions. But this time, the parasthesia persisted and has been constant now for 3 weeks. Left hand is usable, but constantly numb and I don’t have much dexterity with it. Facial palsy/numbness on the left side of mouth and lower cheek, is constant and has not abated, much like a "permanent" novocaine shot. Slight occasional numbness in left toes.

Lab tests were mostly unremarkable, but 1st Lyme test was equivocal for Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, rated high at 0.97 antibodies. The subsequent confirmation test – Anti Nuclear Aby IgG by IFA with Reflex – had an ANA interpretation of negative.

The general practitioner followed up and simply said “negative for Lyme Disease, see neurologist.” I felt like she might be dismissing it too quickly.

I’ve been referred to a neurologist but will not be able to get an appointment until October! That’s a very long wait and I worry about the possibility of the symptoms getting worse.

My wife and I have been googling symptoms every day; some potential culprits include MS, diabetes, and Lyme or some other viral or bacterial infection. I’m almost 60 which seems slightly late for Multiple Sclerosis onset, and while lab results show I’m “pre-diabetes” the symptoms seem too harsh for that, especially since they came on quickly and suddenly, like turning on a light. I’m also not overweight and a lot of the diabetic markers don’t seem like a fit for me.

So my question, during this long wait for a neurologist, is this: Do these symptoms seem to track for Lyme? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum!

“Left hand is usable, but constantly numb and I don’t have much dexterity with it. Facial palsy/numbness on the left side of mouth and lower cheek, is constant and has not abated, much like a "permanent" novocaine shot. Slight occasional numbness in left toes.”

I had the numbness on the cheek as well and my left arm, hand, fingers were numb.

I suggest you seek out a LLMD for an evaluation.
In the meantime you could test via Igenex lab - do a test for just lyme - cost is less than $400.
Take the results to the LLMD.