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Think I have Lyme
Hey everyone,
I wanted to let you all know what I've been going through and see if anyone can identify. I think I have Lyme disease, and I'm going to schedule an appt with a naturopath tomorrow. I'm really worried, especially since my symptoms appear to be more advanced. Here's the breakdown:
Started with intense arthritis in both wrists, mellowed out and spread to forearms. Had my mind blown as to why this was happening.
For a couple weeks, I just dealt with the pain in my forearms/wrists, and the tingling. I saw a chiropractic, but a cervical MRI showed nothing wrong.
About 3 weeks after the first onset of symptoms, one of my calves had about a 6 hour spasm - the day after, all my symptoms went away for about 3 days, although i was still overall a little out of energy.
The 4th week (this past week), I've been feeling strong flu like symptoms - chills at night, low energy, headache. The other symptoms came back with a vengeance this time. Halfway through the week, I started having memory problems and fatigue a couple hours a day. I was also really thirsty, and peeing constantly (I don't have diabetes). On Friday, I was really struggling to stay on top of my work and think straight. Also started having panic attacks/anxiety. That night, I couldn't sleep because both my calves were spasming, and it was very uncomfortable. I've been having panic attacks throughout the day, and sometimes not thinking clearly. One side of my jaw, especially my teeth, feels numb.
I went to the ER on Saturday night because I was freaking out, but they told me "we don't have lyme here" (I live in Portland, OR), and they sent me home. The research I did says otherwise, although it doesnt seem to be very prevalent around here.
Until I can see my naturopath, does anyone have any advice dealing with symptoms? the muscle cramping, headaches, the mental slowness? I'm going to try taking magnesium supplements and Epsom Salt to see if it helps. Thanks in advance for any advice.
I wanted to let you all know what I've been going through and see if anyone can identify. I think I have Lyme disease, and I'm going to schedule an appt with a naturopath tomorrow. I'm really worried, especially since my symptoms appear to be more advanced. Here's the breakdown:
Started with intense arthritis in both wrists, mellowed out and spread to forearms. Had my mind blown as to why this was happening.
For a couple weeks, I just dealt with the pain in my forearms/wrists, and the tingling. I saw a chiropractic, but a cervical MRI showed nothing wrong.
About 3 weeks after the first onset of symptoms, one of my calves had about a 6 hour spasm - the day after, all my symptoms went away for about 3 days, although i was still overall a little out of energy.
The 4th week (this past week), I've been feeling strong flu like symptoms - chills at night, low energy, headache. The other symptoms came back with a vengeance this time. Halfway through the week, I started having memory problems and fatigue a couple hours a day. I was also really thirsty, and peeing constantly (I don't have diabetes). On Friday, I was really struggling to stay on top of my work and think straight. Also started having panic attacks/anxiety. That night, I couldn't sleep because both my calves were spasming, and it was very uncomfortable. I've been having panic attacks throughout the day, and sometimes not thinking clearly. One side of my jaw, especially my teeth, feels numb.
I went to the ER on Saturday night because I was freaking out, but they told me "we don't have lyme here" (I live in Portland, OR), and they sent me home. The research I did says otherwise, although it doesnt seem to be very prevalent around here.
Until I can see my naturopath, does anyone have any advice dealing with symptoms? the muscle cramping, headaches, the mental slowness? I'm going to try taking magnesium supplements and Epsom Salt to see if it helps. Thanks in advance for any advice.
I am not a believer in natural herbs at the start of Lyme. I believe in taking abx. I know many people who disagree with me and say they have gotten cured from herbs alone.
I am some where in the middle taking herbs as a supplement to my abx. I do feel that these herbs are helping me.
I would encourage anyone starting an herbal protocol to do a lot of research and buy from well respected companies.
I am some where in the middle taking herbs as a supplement to my abx. I do feel that these herbs are helping me.
I would encourage anyone starting an herbal protocol to do a lot of research and buy from well respected companies.
Natural Does Not Mean Safe
Herbal supplements are unregulated, overhyped, and potentially deadly. By Geoffrey Kabat "Between 1994 and 2008, the number of dietary supplement products on the market increased from 4,000 to 75,000. In the first 10 months of 2008, the FDA received nearly 600 reports of serious adverse events (including hospitalization, disability, and death) from these products and 350 reports of moderate or mild adverse events. However, the FDA believes that these reports are drastically underreported and estimates that the annual number of all adverse events is 50,000.
http://www.skepdic.com/natural.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/11/herbal_supplement_dangers_fda_does_not_regulate_supplements_and_they_can.html
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#Individual_herbs
Herbal supplements are unregulated, overhyped, and potentially deadly. By Geoffrey Kabat "Between 1994 and 2008, the number of dietary supplement products on the market increased from 4,000 to 75,000. In the first 10 months of 2008, the FDA received nearly 600 reports of serious adverse events (including hospitalization, disability, and death) from these products and 350 reports of moderate or mild adverse events. However, the FDA believes that these reports are drastically underreported and estimates that the annual number of all adverse events is 50,000.
http://www.skepdic.com/natural.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/11/herbal_supplement_dangers_fda_does_not_regulate_supplements_and_they_can.html
http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/List_of_medicinal_plants#Individual_herbs
Hello!
When I went to the ER the first time for my symptoms, my liver enzymes were really elevated. Not my bilirubin but my other enzymes. My doctor waited a week and checked them again and they were still elevated. I was sent to a gastroenterologist and had MORE blood work. Before I got that blood work, I took myself off all supplements/herbs/vitamins I was taking. These things (although natural) can cause elevated liver levels. When I got my blood work, my levels were pretty much back to normal. So I suggest if you are taking anything, get off of it.
However, when my levels went back to normal was about the time my symptoms from Lyme let up a little bit. I did read somewhere, and I don't remember where, (and I'm not saying it's definite) but that Lyme could elevate your liver levels.
BUT since antibiotics usually effect your liver, I would make sure that's alright before you start taking any kind of supplements/herbs/antibiotics.
.
When I went to the ER the first time for my symptoms, my liver enzymes were really elevated. Not my bilirubin but my other enzymes. My doctor waited a week and checked them again and they were still elevated. I was sent to a gastroenterologist and had MORE blood work. Before I got that blood work, I took myself off all supplements/herbs/vitamins I was taking. These things (although natural) can cause elevated liver levels. When I got my blood work, my levels were pretty much back to normal. So I suggest if you are taking anything, get off of it.
However, when my levels went back to normal was about the time my symptoms from Lyme let up a little bit. I did read somewhere, and I don't remember where, (and I'm not saying it's definite) but that Lyme could elevate your liver levels.
BUT since antibiotics usually effect your liver, I would make sure that's alright before you start taking any kind of supplements/herbs/antibiotics.
.
Weight loss: You've lost a fair amount but not a tremendous amount. If that weight loss continues you need to ask your doctor about that.
About your bilirubin and high albumin tests: Since I have no other information about your medical history (and I don't need to know) it would be hard to say what's causing that.
But it IS important that you get in touch with your doctor about those elevated tests. They MIGHT mean liver problems which MIGHT be serious or not. If you've ever been a heavy drinker (I do NOT need to know that) that could be a reason
It also could mean that you have Gilbert's disease which isn't rare and usually means nothing serious.
But PLEASE get in touch with your doctor about those high test results.
But it IS important that you get in touch with your doctor about those elevated tests. They MIGHT mean liver problems which MIGHT be serious or not. If you've ever been a heavy drinker (I do NOT need to know that) that could be a reason
It also could mean that you have Gilbert's disease which isn't rare and usually means nothing serious.
But PLEASE get in touch with your doctor about those high test results.
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