Well, I'm sort of enjoying getting diagnosed and treated for a mysterious disease within one week. That was easy!

The doctor says my Lyme disease is new, and not related to any of my neuromuscular symptoms.

I know that any kind of infection can be hard on a myasthenic, so as always I'd appreciate any warnings, tips, etc. you have to offer. Meanwhile, my MG symptoms have been milder lately, for mysterious reasons.

Thanks, everyone, for caring.

Abby

Hi
thats great news the lymes disease has been diagnosed, because it can be a difficult one to track down sometimes.

Hope the treatment isn't too harsh.

Love
Rach

Thank you, Rach. It's already done wonders for me, because before the diagnosis, I was thinking that the muscle and joint pain was going to be the new phase of my disease. And that was overwhelming. Now I feel like I got a reprieve. I know that not all myasthenics are as lucky (I'm not crazy about that word, but can't think of a proper substitute...) as I've been so far--so I have resolved to try a little harder to appreciate (once I get past the Lyme!) not being in pain.

On the other hand, I know that suffering is suffering, and the fact that other people are suffering more doesn't make it less. The more I think (um...I tend to over-think just about everything...) about how to deal with a chronic disease, the more it seems like the same project as learning how to deal with being human--just accelerated. An honors class in humanity. Still working on that one! Thanks, again, to all of you for teaching me those lessons.

Meanwhile, thank God for ibuprofen, which, in large doses, does wonders for me. I have also gained the poignant mental snap-shot of my dog (a big, goofy chocolate lab) waiting with patient expectation, with his ears at full alert, for me to get down the stairs to let him out in the morning. It takes me five minutes, which in dog years is about 10 years, to get down the stairs. He can sustain that state of high-alert for that long without losing patience. He never gives up hope.

Abby

Hi Abby,

I'm glad you've found a cause for your symptoms. Is there anything they can do for you, here in Australia I havn't heard of Lyme disease, I might have to do a google search.

Arn't dogs wonderful!!!! they do bring something to your life, I love it when I visit my sister and her 2 dogs great me like a long lost friend. Hope you are doing ok today.
Kate

Thanks, Kate! Lyme is a tick-borne disease. I must have had a tick without realizing it. If you know you have it early, like I do, they can treat it with antibiotics. If it goes on too long without treatment, it can really mess up your joints and give you neurological symptoms as well. So I'm grateful for the early diagnosis.

Everyone says, "Oh, I can't believe you have that, too!" But I don't mind so much. It is a huge reminder that my MG, though I have to plan around it so much, is still letting me feel like myself (I know this isn't so for people who have more severe cases than I do). When I can get rid of the Lyme fever and pain (not so bad on ibuprofen) I'm looking forward to resuming my "old" life!

I do appreciate my dog, though I know I would appreciate him more if I lived alone. It's so funny to me that an animal should enjoy human company that much! Our dog was given to us because he needs people so badly, and we are a big homeschooling family, so there's always a crowd at home. He follows us from room to room.

Abby

Hey Abby,

I tested positive for Lyme a couple of summers ago and was treated with Doxycycline. My doctor prescribed it for 21 days, but I am sensitive to many meds and was only able to take it for 14 which he felt was long enough. It made me very nauseous. My MG symptoms did flare a little, but nothing I couldn't handle with lots of rest and little more mestinon. I don't know if this was due to the Lyme, the antibiotic or both. This does not mean of course you'll have any problems at all. Good luck with yours and you'll be feeling much better after your course of treatment...I know I did.

Hugs,
Pat

Abby, Well, I guess you weren't dehydrated! I'm glad your doc figured this out. It's always best to go in, even if a symptom is only "whispering" to you and not shouting.

Annie

Thanks, Annie, and thanks for encouraging me to go in. I'm feeling really good now--the antibiotic kicked in, and my MG is mysteriously easing up on me.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been having extra troubles.

Abby