Lyme Disease Support Group
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. It is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the U.S. Lyme disease is caused by infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is primarily transmitted to humans as well as dogs, horses and other domesticated animals by the bite of infected ticks.
I finished my first course of abx about a month ago and thought I was cured!! Felt great etc, doc told me that any further symptoms were 'residual' and not from actual spirochetes. I have felt so bad this week, dizzy, irritated, rib/sternum pain and exhausted.
Is this a flare up? If so what is actually causing it and do I need more abx or is it just something to get through?
Is this a flare up? If so what is actually causing it and do I need more abx or is it just something to get through?
Just one type of antibiotic?
Any possable co-infections?
A flare up is from lyme bacteria. Lyme can hide in the body anywhere it wants. in laces that antibiotics cannot reach so when it wants to come out again and be active it can wreak havoc again.
Sorry my post is not more encouraging but the truth/knowledge is the way to truly beat this disease.
He was recommended as an infectious diease doc who 'is really into Lyme.'
I believe he told me that any further symptoms were from damage done in my body so were immune type reactions and not from active bacteria.
I'm really confused, too much conflicting info around and no-one seems to be able to tell me what's going on.
Any advice appreciated..
That level of treatment is seldom sufficient to treat lyme disease. There are some who believe that 30 days and then any symptoms after that os post lyme syndrome but the symptoms are the same or worse than when you started. Most on this site do not believe in Post Lyme Syndrome but in continuing to treat the bacterial infection that is causing these problems. There are many other issues that can come along with lyme that a real expert on lyme should look into. I would see another doctor who is a true lyme literate doctor. You are too young to give up parts of our life to this disease.
Maybe this guy's "into Lyme", but I'm concerned that it's not in a way that's going to help you. Time to move on, or at least get another opinion.
Do you know when you contracted Lyme?
Also, I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but the flare ups tend to come in cycles. My cycle is about every 4 weeks now. I'll feel good for 3 weeks, then feel like I'm coming down with something. And get very tired, and easily overwhelmed. And sometimes moody.
Then it lifts, and I'm great for 3 weeks until the next cycle starts. LLMD's tend to treat until 2 months beyond the end of ANY symptoms. Over time, the severity of sx decrease, until (in theory, I haven't reached this point yet to know for sure) they're simply gone.
Then the final 2 months is sort of for good measure, in case any little spirochete found a hiding place that hadn't been found yet by the abx (I'm taking a LOT of liberties here with the analogy, but hopefully you get what I'm saying).
Good luck, please let us know how things go for you.
Jenn