Quote:
Originally Posted by JimJamJones
yes, thank you madisongrrl, it was actually after your reply that i started to take the idea of Lyme more seriously. My doctor had earlier suggested it was unrelated so i had brushed it off but after seeing your response i decided it was worth taking more seriously and hopefully something comes of it  |
Your doctor is undereducated about Lyme/co-infections causing neuropathy, which is unfortunate and typical. Even conservative medical institutions list neuropathy as a symptom caused by Lyme.
Types of Peripheral Neuropathy - Inflammatory - Lyme Disease
There are basically 3 different hypothesises as to the mechanism by which this happens: 1. direct assault of spirochetes on the nerve, 2. immune-mediated damage to the nerve by the host's own immune system, and 3. antibodies that impact small vessels feed the peripheral nerve. My guess is that damage happens from the combination of the above.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimJamJones
I havent experienced any further numbness in my hand since that 2nd night now so thats good, its certainly eased my initial panic. Though i have felt a mild worsening of all my symptoms since i started the treatment - im hoping thats a good thing though...
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There might be a worsening of symptoms, but you should eventually get some small improvements (or at least I did). If Lyme/co-infections are indeed the cause your symptoms, a few weeks of doxy probably won't be the cure. You will have to find a doctor who is a LLMD or some clinician that is Lyme educated. I'm happy that your regular doctor at least is giving you something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimJamJones
madisongrrl, how are you feeling these days? did you continue to make progress with the Lyme treatment?
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I've been meaning to post another update, but my job has been working me to death this summer to the tune of 60-70 hours per week. One year ago I could barely work 40 hours a week and I was pretty sure I was going to stop working entirely. What a difference a year can make.
I've done 1 year of oral antibiotics and I've seen many improvements. However, my improvements have recently plateaued. I took another Lyme test (iSpot) one year later and it is still positive. I still have paresthesias all over my body (less than 1 year ago), I still have some burning skin (it's much less now), I still have heat intolerance (it's better than it used to be), I still have facial and throat pain, and I still have disequilibrium. My hyperacusis and ear ringing have not come back, which I'm so grateful for. I still have bouts of fatigue, but I'm stronger than I was last year.
I've made a difficult and expensive decision to get a PICC line and try IV antibiotics. There are many risks and no guarantees by taking this route of action, but this is the only approach that got some Lyme patients well. I'm only 40 and I have a lot of life ahead of me, so I feel that I have to give this a shot.