Thank you so much fora all that information. I know I am mildly deficient when it comes to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. I don't think I have any symptoms from it but I'm not sure because no doctor has taken a complete enough look at my medical history to figure it out. I have been diagnoses with Lyme (when I was originally bit in 1989, had all the symptoms including the bullseye rash) and with Chronic Lyme disease in February of this year (which of course if controversial). I have classic symptoms of everything it seems so no one really knows what to do.
I did see the new Endocrinologist yesterday in Denver but didn't find her to be of much help. She did order an ACTH Stimulation test for this morning so I drove up to Denver again today. No matter what the test results are I wouldn't see her again for 2 months. That honestly just doesn't make sense to me. But what do I know, I'm just the patient. LOL
I also have an appointment with my primary doctor Monday afternoon. I will get lab results that day and see where he wants to go with all this. He assumed the Endo wouldn't be much help and told me to see him if she wasn't and he'll try to figure out what it going on.
I know that doctors just don't get that waiting another 2 months and being sick the whole time is not okay. Especially since I've already been sick for 2 1/2 years. I have not found one specialist who can do anything to help me. All they do is give me pills (that I don't need and that usually have all kinds of side effects) and tell me to come back in 2 months, 6 months, a year. I'm really hoping that my new primary doctor can figure something out.
Again, thanks for all the info. It is very helpful.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is a genetic disorder and the organs most commonly involved are the lungs and the liver. Lung disease does not usually present until 30 to 40 years of age. Not everyone with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency will develop liver disease.
From the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation - Symptoms...
"Lyme disease symptoms can appear quickly or gradually over time, and they are incredibly varied and can wax and wane. The first physical signs of Lyme infection are often flu-like symptoms – sore throat, headaches, congestion, stiffness, etc. – so many people, including doctors, dismiss the symptoms as the flu.
During its nymph stage, a tick is only about the size of a period on a sentence. Many people are infected by nymph ticks, but don’t suspect Lyme disease because they don’t recall being bitten. In fact, 50% of people infected don’t remember being bitten.
Top 5 symptoms of “early” Lyme disease
Rash at site of bite (over 50% of people report no rash of any kind)
Rashes on other parts of your body (over 50% of people report no rash of any kind)
Rash basically circular, oval and spreading out (more generalized)(over 50% of people report no rash of any kind)
Raised rash, disappearing and recurring (over 50% of people report no rash of any kind)
Flu like symptoms: Fatigue, fever, headache, joint aches, stiff neck, backache, swollen glands (many people do not get these early flu-like symptoms)
Other symptoms of Lyme disease
Head, Face, Neck:
Unexplained hair loss
Headache, mild or severe, seizures
Pressure in head, white matter lesions in brain (MRI)
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell’s Palsy, Horner’s syndrome)
Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing
Stiff or painful neck
Jaw pain or stiffness
Dental problems
Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm (flem), hoarseness, runny nose
Eyes/Vision:
Double or blurry vision
Increased floating spots
Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes
Oversensitivity to light
Flashing lights, peripheral waves or phantom images in corner of eyes
Ears/Hearing:
Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears
Buzzing in ears
Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds
Ringing in one or both ears
Digestive and Excretory Systems:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or interstitial cystitis
Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Musculoskeletal System:
Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome
Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow
Muscle pain or cramps, (Fibromyalgia)
Respiratory and Circulatory Systems:
Shortness of breath, can’t get full/satisfying breath, cough
Chest pain or rib soreness
Night sweats or unexplained chills
Heart palpitations or extra beats
Endocarditis, heart blockage
Neurologic System:
Tremors or unexplained shaking
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
Increased motion sickness
Light-headedness, wooziness
Psychological Well-being:
Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder
Unusual depression
Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Feeling as if you are losing your mind
Over-emotional reactions, crying easily
Too much sleep, or insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy, sleep apnea
Panic attacks, anxiety
Mental Capability:
Memory loss (short or long term)
Confusion, difficulty thinking
Difficulty with concentration or reading
Going to the wrong place
Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
Difficulty finding commonly used words
Stammering speech
Forgetting how to perform simple tasks
Reproduction and Sexuality:
Loss of sex drive
Sexual dysfunction
Unexplained menstrual pain, irregularity
Unexplained breast pain, discharge
Testicular or pelvic pain
General Well-being:
Phantom smells
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen glands or lymph nodes
Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
Symptoms seem to change, come and go
Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
Early on, experienced a “flu-like” illness, after which you have not since felt well
Low body temperature
Allergies or chemical sensitivities
Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover"