Aa
please someone help me.
i went to my doctors because i've been having left sided chest pain and always tired and drained for about 2 years. seen cardiologist who tell me i'm a young 24 year old and my heart is fine.
did some blood tests, came back that i have lyme disease. the first lab says negative, the next test i recieved said positive for iggp 41 ... and 23, 39, or 41 was positive .. so i was put on doxycycline for 1 month.
im just getting nervous because when i google these things syphillis and hiv come up... which, i know ive been tested for in the past anways. (i have bad anxiety)
so is this normal that i have lyme disease? just take the meds for the month and ill be better? should i get re tested in a few months?
did some blood tests, came back that i have lyme disease. the first lab says negative, the next test i recieved said positive for iggp 41 ... and 23, 39, or 41 was positive .. so i was put on doxycycline for 1 month.
im just getting nervous because when i google these things syphillis and hiv come up... which, i know ive been tested for in the past anways. (i have bad anxiety)
so is this normal that i have lyme disease? just take the meds for the month and ill be better? should i get re tested in a few months?
Hello, just thought I would mention that you may feel 'worse' once the doxy. gets into your system - your chest pain may increase, try not to be alarmed by this or disappointed as a 'flare' of symptoms often indicates that the treatment is infact starting to work.
If you haven't done so, I would recommend doing some research into 'Herxing' and 'Detoxing'. Herx. can happen with a build-up of toxins in your body and so detoxing is important.
As you have taken doxy. previously you will know to watch out for any 'allergic reaction'.
best wishes - Gorbs x
If you haven't done so, I would recommend doing some research into 'Herxing' and 'Detoxing'. Herx. can happen with a build-up of toxins in your body and so detoxing is important.
As you have taken doxy. previously you will know to watch out for any 'allergic reaction'.
best wishes - Gorbs x
Doxy is one of the meds used to treat Lyme; there are others too, and I don't know which ones docs pick for what reasons.
Antibiotics are the main treatment for Lyme, and some would say they are the only treatment. The other treatments are herbal/supplements and some way-out-there treatments that may or may not have any value, but mainstream medicine doesn't give them any credit. I take vitamins and supplements to help build me up, but antibiotics are really 'it.'
The difference in philosophy and approach between LLMDs and nonLLMDs is more of how long the treatment is, not whether or not to treat. Both LLMDs and nonLLMDs treat with antibiotics ... it's a question of whether a month is enough and which antibiotics are needed, and on those points, LLMDs and nonLLMDs often think very differently.
In your shoes, I'd probably take the doxy but, on Monday morning, be on the phone making an appointment to see an LLMD.
Antibiotics are the main treatment for Lyme, and some would say they are the only treatment. The other treatments are herbal/supplements and some way-out-there treatments that may or may not have any value, but mainstream medicine doesn't give them any credit. I take vitamins and supplements to help build me up, but antibiotics are really 'it.'
The difference in philosophy and approach between LLMDs and nonLLMDs is more of how long the treatment is, not whether or not to treat. Both LLMDs and nonLLMDs treat with antibiotics ... it's a question of whether a month is enough and which antibiotics are needed, and on those points, LLMDs and nonLLMDs often think very differently.
In your shoes, I'd probably take the doxy but, on Monday morning, be on the phone making an appointment to see an LLMD.
im absolutely going to take the doxy, ive taken doxy alot in the past few years due to acne anyways. but my doctor said it's okay because this dose ill be taking twice a day where as to before it was once a day.. what other steps are there to treating it besides the antibiotics?? from what i was told was to just take them for a month and id be fine
and PS ... in your situation, I'd take the doxy you've been given by your doc.
Here are some websites, many of which have referral functions where you type in where you are and they might be able to send you back some names. Some websites used to have that function but don't anymore, and I don't know which ones off this list have done that. Also you can google "llmd virginia" or whatever seems like a good geographic description and you'll be surprised how many 'hits' you get.
ilads [dot] org
lymediseaseassociation [dot] org
truthaboutlymedisease [dot] com
lymenet [dot] org
chroniclymedisease [dot] com
Some LLMDs don't accept insurance, but will give you a receipt you can file with your insurance. Everytime I think how much it costs, I weigh that against how lousy I feel, and it's an easy decision. Also, LLMDs are in high demand, so it can take up to six weeks to get a first time appointment, so don't wait to call.
Best wishes to you -- hope things start to go better soon! Let us know how you do.
ilads [dot] org
lymediseaseassociation [dot] org
truthaboutlymedisease [dot] com
lymenet [dot] org
chroniclymedisease [dot] com
Some LLMDs don't accept insurance, but will give you a receipt you can file with your insurance. Everytime I think how much it costs, I weigh that against how lousy I feel, and it's an easy decision. Also, LLMDs are in high demand, so it can take up to six weeks to get a first time appointment, so don't wait to call.
Best wishes to you -- hope things start to go better soon! Let us know how you do.
thank you so much for you help! now im just wondering where i would find that type of doctor
I have had the same happen to me with MD's - ie; wanting nothing to do with me once I mention lyme and my LLMD.
I used to think that MD's would 'care' about anyone who feels unwell - not treat them with hostility.
We live and learn !!!
I used to think that MD's would 'care' about anyone who feels unwell - not treat them with hostility.
We live and learn !!!
Welcome to medhelp ...
I'm sorry to hear you've not been well. Lyme can affect the heart, so it's good that you had your heart checked out.
Although it's bad news to get a positive Lyme test, in some ways it's actually GOOD news, because now that you know about it, you can get it treated.
The reason you see references to HIV and syphilis in discussions about Lyme is (I think -- I'm not medically trained, I just read a lot ... so be sure to check things out with your MD!) is because: Lyme is caused by bacteria that are spiral in shape (just as there are round-shaped bacteria, and rod-shaped bacteria, Lyme happens to be shaped like a little corkscrew). For no reason except known to Mother Nature, syphilis is also caused by spiral-shaped bacteria. However that does NOT mean you have syphilis. It's a totally different disease. There is some thought that Lyme can be transmitted by sexual activity and also from mother to fetus, but mostly it is transmitted by ticks. However one gets Lyme, however, the important thing is to find out so it can be treated, and you have achieved that. That's good!
About the references you are reading to HIV, there is no link whatsoever that I am aware of between Lyme and HIV. HIV is caused by a virus, Lyme by bacteria. HIV can be transmitted by sexual activity, as perhaps Lyme can be too, but that doesn't prove any linkage between the two diseases. You may be seeing references to HIV and Lyme on the same websites because when MDs do a differential diagnosis, that is, going through a checklist to see which diseases your symptoms are most like, there are symptoms of HIV/AIDS which may be like Lyme, like fatigue. That does NOT mean that Lyme and HIV are related in any way or that if you get one you get the other. Repeat: NOT!
About having bad anxiety. That is, believe it or not, a symptom of Lyme. Lyme mucks with your head, your brain, your endocrine system, just about every other system, AND that means it can make you anxious. Lots of people with Lyme post here about having Lyme and being anxious. Welcome (???) to the club. Now to figure out how to get you OUT of the Lyme club!
Here's the next part. (Like I said, I'm not medically trained, but I've been dealing with Lyme personally for a while.) Now that you've got a diagnosis, I would recommend that you think about finding a Lyme specialist other than your cardiologist. His 'heart' is in the right place, that he would even think to test you for Lyme, and that he is treating you for it -- that is more than many many MDs would do, because many docs aren't interested in Lyme and don't know much about it.
The difficulty arises when it comes to (1) full diagnosis and (2) full treatment.
(1) full diagnosis: were you tested for other diseases that the Lyme ticks often carry in addition to Lyme? Those extra diseases are often referred to as 'co-infections.' Those tests are different entirely from the Lyme tests, and which coinfections you might have are determined by an MD who is familiar with their particular symptom constellations. A cardiologist may or may not be able to do that. You can look at the test results you got back from the cardiologist (and you should always ask for and receive copies of ALL tests run on you -- it's helpful going forward) and see what was tested for. These coinfections often dont' respond to the same antibiotics as Lyme, and that's why diagnosing them is important -- they won't just go away when Lyme is treated.
(2) full treatment: there is a huge argument going on in the medical community about Lyme. Some MDs (many of them specializing in infectious diseases, which Lyme is) have for a long long time held the firm opinion that Lyme is hard to get and easy to cure ... for example, with a few weeks of doxy. That works in some people, esp those are diagnosed very early, but it doesn't sound like you got a quick diagnosis (that is, within a few weeks at most after being infected). Once Lyme gets a toehold, it hides in the body in places that doxy may not be able to reach. This is a huge point of argument between Lyme specialists (sometimes called casually LLMDs, or Lyme Literate MDs) and regular docs.
Maybe your current doc will test you again in a month and continue your treatment, but even if he does, I would strongly recommend that you begin looking now for an LLMD for a second opinion. Because there is no respect given to LLMDs by nonLLMDs, if your current doc knows that you are looking for an LLMD for a second opinion, he may get huffy and not want to treat you -- I have had that happen to me. NonLLMDs often consider LLMDs to be committing malpractice, and don't want to be tangled up with that, which then causes people like me to hedge on what I tell my various docs. I am honest with all my docs about my diagnosis and treatment, but it has caused some nonLLMDs to want nothing to do with me.
It is imho not advisable to hold any information back from an MD, but when it comes to Lyme, it pushes the patients into a very difficult position. As a result, I can't tell you what is the best thing to do: you will have to decide for yourself, which sounds like a total cop out when you are ailing and need help. I'm sorry that it's that way, but very glad that you are at last starting on the path to getting well.
In summary, I suggest that you find an LLMD for a second opinion, and start looking now. It can take a while to find one and to get a first appointment, because LLMDs have very busy practices these days.
Others here may have some advice too -- let us know if we can help further. Best wishes to you! You're on the path to getting well -- may it be a swift and sure journey!
I'm sorry to hear you've not been well. Lyme can affect the heart, so it's good that you had your heart checked out.
Although it's bad news to get a positive Lyme test, in some ways it's actually GOOD news, because now that you know about it, you can get it treated.
The reason you see references to HIV and syphilis in discussions about Lyme is (I think -- I'm not medically trained, I just read a lot ... so be sure to check things out with your MD!) is because: Lyme is caused by bacteria that are spiral in shape (just as there are round-shaped bacteria, and rod-shaped bacteria, Lyme happens to be shaped like a little corkscrew). For no reason except known to Mother Nature, syphilis is also caused by spiral-shaped bacteria. However that does NOT mean you have syphilis. It's a totally different disease. There is some thought that Lyme can be transmitted by sexual activity and also from mother to fetus, but mostly it is transmitted by ticks. However one gets Lyme, however, the important thing is to find out so it can be treated, and you have achieved that. That's good!
About the references you are reading to HIV, there is no link whatsoever that I am aware of between Lyme and HIV. HIV is caused by a virus, Lyme by bacteria. HIV can be transmitted by sexual activity, as perhaps Lyme can be too, but that doesn't prove any linkage between the two diseases. You may be seeing references to HIV and Lyme on the same websites because when MDs do a differential diagnosis, that is, going through a checklist to see which diseases your symptoms are most like, there are symptoms of HIV/AIDS which may be like Lyme, like fatigue. That does NOT mean that Lyme and HIV are related in any way or that if you get one you get the other. Repeat: NOT!
About having bad anxiety. That is, believe it or not, a symptom of Lyme. Lyme mucks with your head, your brain, your endocrine system, just about every other system, AND that means it can make you anxious. Lots of people with Lyme post here about having Lyme and being anxious. Welcome (???) to the club. Now to figure out how to get you OUT of the Lyme club!
Here's the next part. (Like I said, I'm not medically trained, but I've been dealing with Lyme personally for a while.) Now that you've got a diagnosis, I would recommend that you think about finding a Lyme specialist other than your cardiologist. His 'heart' is in the right place, that he would even think to test you for Lyme, and that he is treating you for it -- that is more than many many MDs would do, because many docs aren't interested in Lyme and don't know much about it.
The difficulty arises when it comes to (1) full diagnosis and (2) full treatment.
(1) full diagnosis: were you tested for other diseases that the Lyme ticks often carry in addition to Lyme? Those extra diseases are often referred to as 'co-infections.' Those tests are different entirely from the Lyme tests, and which coinfections you might have are determined by an MD who is familiar with their particular symptom constellations. A cardiologist may or may not be able to do that. You can look at the test results you got back from the cardiologist (and you should always ask for and receive copies of ALL tests run on you -- it's helpful going forward) and see what was tested for. These coinfections often dont' respond to the same antibiotics as Lyme, and that's why diagnosing them is important -- they won't just go away when Lyme is treated.
(2) full treatment: there is a huge argument going on in the medical community about Lyme. Some MDs (many of them specializing in infectious diseases, which Lyme is) have for a long long time held the firm opinion that Lyme is hard to get and easy to cure ... for example, with a few weeks of doxy. That works in some people, esp those are diagnosed very early, but it doesn't sound like you got a quick diagnosis (that is, within a few weeks at most after being infected). Once Lyme gets a toehold, it hides in the body in places that doxy may not be able to reach. This is a huge point of argument between Lyme specialists (sometimes called casually LLMDs, or Lyme Literate MDs) and regular docs.
Maybe your current doc will test you again in a month and continue your treatment, but even if he does, I would strongly recommend that you begin looking now for an LLMD for a second opinion. Because there is no respect given to LLMDs by nonLLMDs, if your current doc knows that you are looking for an LLMD for a second opinion, he may get huffy and not want to treat you -- I have had that happen to me. NonLLMDs often consider LLMDs to be committing malpractice, and don't want to be tangled up with that, which then causes people like me to hedge on what I tell my various docs. I am honest with all my docs about my diagnosis and treatment, but it has caused some nonLLMDs to want nothing to do with me.
It is imho not advisable to hold any information back from an MD, but when it comes to Lyme, it pushes the patients into a very difficult position. As a result, I can't tell you what is the best thing to do: you will have to decide for yourself, which sounds like a total cop out when you are ailing and need help. I'm sorry that it's that way, but very glad that you are at last starting on the path to getting well.
In summary, I suggest that you find an LLMD for a second opinion, and start looking now. It can take a while to find one and to get a first appointment, because LLMDs have very busy practices these days.
Others here may have some advice too -- let us know if we can help further. Best wishes to you! You're on the path to getting well -- may it be a swift and sure journey!
Hi, there are many possible symptoms with lyme disease, do you remember any unusual rashes, or a bad 'flu' with bad night sweats, anything 'odd' that you noticed before the chest pain started. Not that it is important as such, as you have had a positive lyme test.
One month of meds. is not enough to treat a lyme infection. You need to find a lyme literate medical doctor - known for short as 'LLMD.', as most other 'specialists' do not know how to treat lyme correctly.
Anxiety is a lyme symptom. Your chest pain could be 'rib pain' which is common in lyme, there is something called 'costochondritis' which seems fairly common with lyme disease - it is inflammation, can be extremely painful - you could 'google' that and see if it sounds anything like your pain.
I am sure you will get plenty of good advice here, there are some very knowledgeable members.
Take care when taking doxy. - take it with lots of water, stay standing or sitting-up for atleast a couple of hours after taking it. It is good that you have started doxy. BUT one months worth is not enough.
Gorbs x
One month of meds. is not enough to treat a lyme infection. You need to find a lyme literate medical doctor - known for short as 'LLMD.', as most other 'specialists' do not know how to treat lyme correctly.
Anxiety is a lyme symptom. Your chest pain could be 'rib pain' which is common in lyme, there is something called 'costochondritis' which seems fairly common with lyme disease - it is inflammation, can be extremely painful - you could 'google' that and see if it sounds anything like your pain.
I am sure you will get plenty of good advice here, there are some very knowledgeable members.
Take care when taking doxy. - take it with lots of water, stay standing or sitting-up for atleast a couple of hours after taking it. It is good that you have started doxy. BUT one months worth is not enough.
Gorbs x
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