Aa
Here's my experience. Can you advise?
In 2007, I may or may not have had a tick bite. I do remember feeling something on my inner thigh in the shower, but could not see without glasses, and never considered a tick. Then I had serious joint pain and stiffness the same year when my son was a baby. I had a hard time walking in the morning because my ankles were stiff and my spine would jar in pain when I took a misstep. A few years later, while the joint pain persisted on and off, I began to experience sudden, sharp pains in my neck or thyroid, then a burning sensation in my nose when I coughed, deep skin itch, then heart palpitations and chest pain. Also began to experience loss of words. I felt like I wasn't as articulate as I used to be. All symptoms would last a few weeks and then go away.
When I was 6 months pregnant, I found a tick in my ankle. The head broke when I tried to pull it. It was a nymph. But not engorged. I don't think it was in there long. I was not treated.
In January of 2013, when my daughter was two months old, I got braces put on and experienced a slew of symptoms: sharp head pains, extreme fatigue in the morning when I woke up, feet pain at night and upon walking in the morning, more stiffness, imbalance, extreme eye and temple tension and other. It all gradually subsided, but three months later when a thicker gauge wire was put on, I had flu like symptoms, especially in my chest (this is a symptom that I have experienced often over the past few years), scalp pain and more imbalance. Also I noticed that my face had lost all the fat. Hypoglycemia, nausea, cheekbones were sticking way out and my temples were sunken. Eventually, I noticed fat loss in my feet and hands, as well. I also noticed that when I used my smart phone or sat next to my computer, I would have a tingling sensation. This lasted a few days. Also would often get a tingling sensation down my spine and in my shoulder blade, when I stood at the sink doing dishes.
At the suggestion of my NP, I had the braces removed and subsequently, through my own research, I learned about metal toxicity. I also learned about amalgam fillings and was horrified, as I had ten of them and the braces were making the toxicity worse. I had a serious panic attack when I learned about the dangers of metals, AND that's when the rest of the symptoms set in....
muscle twitching, burning sensations, wet skin sensations, crawlees under my skin, vibrations, sound sensitivity, smell sensitivity, touch sensitivity, muscle spasms, muscle soreness, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in fingers and toes and sometimes heels and hands and feet. All symptoms would be very brief, sporadic, and travel. Burning in my face, tingling/numbness in my face, ringing in the ears. Head pulling sensation. Food sensitivity.
Then I had fillings removed in phase one of amalgam removal. Removing the braces made me feel better instantly with the eye/temple strain, insomnia, fatigue, and visual clarity. So, I hoped the amalgam removal would improve things even more.
Here is my question. On this journey, the question has become Mercury/metal poisoning? Leaky Gut? Candida? Lyme or Autoimmune disease. Two MD's attributed the symptoms to anxiety/somatization disorder. Vitamin D was low (22). No other significant lab findings.
The nutritionist suggested leaky gut and is on board with the candida and lyme.
I went on a gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, corn free diet. Then went back to a normal diet, and that seems to be when a lot of the muscle weakness and food sensitivities set in. They came after the diet. Now, I bouce back and forth between gluten free and not, mainly because I am scared about how much weight I have lost and can feel my bones. And the weak and sore muscles. I can't tell if that is from the diet or disease? I can't tell if I am experiencing muscle wasting, but the facial fat is mostly still gone. I look different, I feel different, I'm scared all the time, I have three young children, and I don't know what is causing my problems. It seems like my whole system is screwed up now, neurologically, metabolically, etc.
However, the skin crawlees, burning, cold, tingling, and wet sensations have gone. The hypersensory stimulation also seems to be gone.
Any insight/experience would be greatly appreciated! I have been reading behind the scenes for months.
When I was 6 months pregnant, I found a tick in my ankle. The head broke when I tried to pull it. It was a nymph. But not engorged. I don't think it was in there long. I was not treated.
In January of 2013, when my daughter was two months old, I got braces put on and experienced a slew of symptoms: sharp head pains, extreme fatigue in the morning when I woke up, feet pain at night and upon walking in the morning, more stiffness, imbalance, extreme eye and temple tension and other. It all gradually subsided, but three months later when a thicker gauge wire was put on, I had flu like symptoms, especially in my chest (this is a symptom that I have experienced often over the past few years), scalp pain and more imbalance. Also I noticed that my face had lost all the fat. Hypoglycemia, nausea, cheekbones were sticking way out and my temples were sunken. Eventually, I noticed fat loss in my feet and hands, as well. I also noticed that when I used my smart phone or sat next to my computer, I would have a tingling sensation. This lasted a few days. Also would often get a tingling sensation down my spine and in my shoulder blade, when I stood at the sink doing dishes.
At the suggestion of my NP, I had the braces removed and subsequently, through my own research, I learned about metal toxicity. I also learned about amalgam fillings and was horrified, as I had ten of them and the braces were making the toxicity worse. I had a serious panic attack when I learned about the dangers of metals, AND that's when the rest of the symptoms set in....
muscle twitching, burning sensations, wet skin sensations, crawlees under my skin, vibrations, sound sensitivity, smell sensitivity, touch sensitivity, muscle spasms, muscle soreness, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in fingers and toes and sometimes heels and hands and feet. All symptoms would be very brief, sporadic, and travel. Burning in my face, tingling/numbness in my face, ringing in the ears. Head pulling sensation. Food sensitivity.
Then I had fillings removed in phase one of amalgam removal. Removing the braces made me feel better instantly with the eye/temple strain, insomnia, fatigue, and visual clarity. So, I hoped the amalgam removal would improve things even more.
Here is my question. On this journey, the question has become Mercury/metal poisoning? Leaky Gut? Candida? Lyme or Autoimmune disease. Two MD's attributed the symptoms to anxiety/somatization disorder. Vitamin D was low (22). No other significant lab findings.
The nutritionist suggested leaky gut and is on board with the candida and lyme.
I went on a gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, corn free diet. Then went back to a normal diet, and that seems to be when a lot of the muscle weakness and food sensitivities set in. They came after the diet. Now, I bouce back and forth between gluten free and not, mainly because I am scared about how much weight I have lost and can feel my bones. And the weak and sore muscles. I can't tell if that is from the diet or disease? I can't tell if I am experiencing muscle wasting, but the facial fat is mostly still gone. I look different, I feel different, I'm scared all the time, I have three young children, and I don't know what is causing my problems. It seems like my whole system is screwed up now, neurologically, metabolically, etc.
However, the skin crawlees, burning, cold, tingling, and wet sensations have gone. The hypersensory stimulation also seems to be gone.
Any insight/experience would be greatly appreciated! I have been reading behind the scenes for months.
I most definetly would get the co-infection test. My Bartonella is on record now to get insurance reimbursement. It came out positive.
I was treated for Babs and cured and now being treated for mycoplasma. Both of those showed negative on my co-panel tests. Luckily my insurance covered my meds. Some peoples won't with out a positive test.
I was treated for Babs and cured and now being treated for mycoplasma. Both of those showed negative on my co-panel tests. Luckily my insurance covered my meds. Some peoples won't with out a positive test.
I understand how you feel. I have been sick over 20 years and nobody thought of Lyme. If I was treated back then it would have been much easier but at least you are going to test now.
I'm glad you're getting tested by Igenex---- but be prepared for a possible negative on the Western Blot. I always had negatives (through Igenex) but did have Lyme an astute Lyme specialist started treating me based on symptoms and other things.
I started to improve right away. Then I had a lumbar puncture (for insurance reasons) and I was lucky (!!!) and was positive, proving that a negative WB doesn't have to mean you aren't positive.
My remission of 4 years came after starting bicillin and had almost nothing to do with Dr. B's diet recommendations. I ate healthily but didn't avoid anything.
I feel Dr. B is spot on about his antibiotic treatments. But when he wanders into supplements etc ------ meh. Perhaps a holdover from his financial support by FAIM (Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine).
But I encourage you and all others to follow all his advice if you think it will help.
I started to improve right away. Then I had a lumbar puncture (for insurance reasons) and I was lucky (!!!) and was positive, proving that a negative WB doesn't have to mean you aren't positive.
My remission of 4 years came after starting bicillin and had almost nothing to do with Dr. B's diet recommendations. I ate healthily but didn't avoid anything.
I feel Dr. B is spot on about his antibiotic treatments. But when he wanders into supplements etc ------ meh. Perhaps a holdover from his financial support by FAIM (Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine).
But I encourage you and all others to follow all his advice if you think it will help.
Ricobord, thank you for sharing your experience. I am hoping to get to the MD very soon. I will try to keep my emotions in check. And not panic. I just started a new job last week, that I really, really need. So it is going to be tricky, pursuing this and not raising red flags.
What kills me is that the doctor tested me for it 6 years ago. If only, I had started treatment then. Also, a different doctor tested me a few months ago. So, their instincts are right, based on the symptoms, and they are being thrown of the scent by the negative test. That is what needs to be addressed.
Of course, like you said, this is all preemptive, as I have not been to the LLMD, yet. But based on my own research and my tick exposures,.........
What kills me is that the doctor tested me for it 6 years ago. If only, I had started treatment then. Also, a different doctor tested me a few months ago. So, their instincts are right, based on the symptoms, and they are being thrown of the scent by the negative test. That is what needs to be addressed.
Of course, like you said, this is all preemptive, as I have not been to the LLMD, yet. But based on my own research and my tick exposures,.........
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Lyme Disease Community
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods
