Lyme Disease Support Group

Couldn't hurt.... do you know if you have been bitten by a tic?

if you have a doctor that will test you.. it is better to know.....

i'm no expert... but daughter has both...
diagnosed at the same time......

amanda-hi-yes i think it is worth getting tested-my sister-in-law was diagnosed for 8 years with fibro. she kept getting tested for lyme and it was negative but she had a feeling she had it. Well after 8 years it came out positive-she took long term antibiotics and made a complete recovery. go to a good lyme doctor-good luck

YES!!!! Many believe (and I am one of them) that Fibro comes from undx lyme. Your rhumie ruled it out w/out even a blood test??? on what grounds? Now, don't put all of your faith in a blood test, either, but if you are going to do one, do one at a lab that specializes in lyme like Igenex or one fo the others.... not sure what they are, but there are a few... is Quest one? Ask around. Lyme is a dx of exclusion and blood tests can be used as supportive. Have yourself tested for coinfections too if you can. Do you have a LLMD in your area? depending on how longn you have have been sick it might be hard to determine with bloodwork... an LLMD will be able to check your symptoms as well and make a clinical dx. Good luck and glad you are considering this. I was dx with fibromylagia, osteoarthritis, and was told "You're just depressed...take these". Goodl uck!

I'm in that camp, too. I was well down the road toward a Fibro dx, when odd blood tests started coming in around my Lyme numbers. I'm with StandStrong, in that I wouldn't be at all surprised if they find a strong connection between Fibro and Lyme.....when they finally figure both these awful diseases out.

I have various gastro issues that are also related to my Lyme.

Yes, I too think that undiagnosed lyme can trigger or look like fibromyalgia.

I have a question, though, for lymies further along in treatment/progress....Can chronic lyme that's been treated leave one with lingering firbro/chronic fatigue symptoms- for a long time, or forever? My teenage daughter's made huge progress, and other than her herxing, the "only" symptoms left are "chronic fatiguing syndrome" (LLMD's words on a school form, in additon to lyme), and insomnia- which goes in phases (she's fatigued even when the insomnia is not flaring- they're seperate issues, yet, of course can exsaserbate one another). She's still being treated...but no improvements in the fatigue.

Sorry if I highjacked this thread!

Thanks ;)

Hi Moreel,
I've heard that some people continue to have some amount of Lyme arthritis after treatment, but I have't heard of the exhaustion and/or insomnia.

I'm glad your daughter's made such good progress!! What's her LLMD saying about her prognosis (or is he/she making any statements about that?)

I know two people locally who have overcome their lyme and ended tx. They BOTH started out with Fibro dx.that eventually became LYME dx. Neither feels that they have fibro still, but they BOTH tell me that when they over do it they feel it hard. When they are tired, they feel the cognitive slipping, and they tire easily. That being said, they are both very active professionals who are doing very well... they just have to honor their bodies and get the rest, nutrients, and exercise that their bodies require. I find this very hopeful, and I look forward to the day when we are all to this point or even better.

Moreel..... I think your daughter is amazing, and I think she will manage what ever residuals, if any, remain! She is an incredibly strong person, and if I remember correctly, with a very strong sense of faith and constancy. You are a great mom!

Be tested and know that a negative test does not rule it out. The testing for Lyme disease is not real accurate. But definitly look into it. I had many "labels" for my pain and symptoms before Lyme

Yes, I have been told that I had, FIBRO,LUPUS, CFS, MS,EBV,and the list went on to find out along it was Lyme disease. Needless to say I now suffer alot because it took so long to catch.So I would definately get teated but with a reliable test , not the one a regulare doctor gived.
I would always test negative on them. I had to get a LLMD send my bloodwork to Igenex best lab in the country to diagnose it. Best of luck.