Lymes Disease?

catherinep

catherinep

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Hi,

I have been really poorly, unable to drive or ride or do anything for the last 8 months. I haven't been "right" for at least 18 months, despite being one of the fitest outdoorsy people - got horses, sheep, smallholding etc and used to work in racing.....

Anyway, to cut a very long story short, th neurologist yesterday said he thought it could be Lymes Disease - does anyone have any experience of this? I am constantly unsteady, dizzy, many neuro symptoms but have no recollection of a tick bite?

Will be going for specific blood tests as soon as GP has letter of referal from neuro chap and instructions on what to test for.

This has been an unbeleivably miserable year and, having never been ill before, it has been awful - I can only hope that this is indeed what the problem is and they can do something about it.

Any info gratefully received!

Thanks,

Catherine
 
All I know about it is that it was the diagnosis on an episode of House once.
blush.gif
According to that, there was a bullseye-shaped mark around the spot where the tick had bitten him. I don't know anything else about it, but I hope you get it sorted and start feeling better soon!
 
My OH's uncle has Lymes disease, has had it for years.

Its a horrible thing to have - he was a big strong man before, now he can hardly do anything without being totally knackered.

His went into his spine I think, which meant it travelled to his brain as well. He had to have some sort of injections every day for a month, which I think helped a little.

I think if it is caught early enough it can be treated, i.e if you find the "bullseye" mark on your arm and go straight to the doctor they can give some sort of medication, as far as I am aware, but if its left, Im not sure what the prognosis is.

I guess your doctor will advise you further if it turns out to be Lymes. Sorry to be grim! Maybe it affects different people in different ways, so bear in mind this is just my experience of it.

Hope your test comes back with a good result.
 
Hi,

I've had some experience with this, had a bite on my arm that was fine for about 2 weeks, didn't even notice it, and then it flared up and I got the whole red bullseye mark. I had blood tests and it came back as negative but this can be the case if it hasn't been in your system long enough to show up. I was put on antibiotics for 2 weeks and this should hopefully be the end of it.

Unfortunately, although the bullseye is a sign of lyme's disease, it only appears in half of cases and will also disappear in 2-4 weeks but doesn't mean the infection is gone. A lot of people can have this and never get any primary symptoms.

Secondary symptoms can be months or years further down the line. Depending on when it's caught, I *think* it can still be treated with antibiotics but then there is a point where I think it requires different treatment. Unfortunately, it can cause things like arthritis, tiredness, migranes etc. and if it goes undiagnosed completely and gets into your brain, it can kill you.

Luckily, it looks like this has been picked up for you and I do wonder if you're still at a point where it's easier to treat. A lot of people will have this for many years before anything starts to show. I'm hoping it never surfaces with me but it's something I'll keep in mind if my health seriously deteriorates at all.

Hope you get sorted asap, let us know how it goes *hugs* x
 
Thank you everyone! I am pretty poorly and constantly unsteady, dizzy and many neuro problems that just get worse and worse.....hoping that they can diagnose SOMETHING!!! I have had no bullseye or mark but have been "not right" for about 18 months and then crashed out on 16th March this year and been terrible ever since. Physios thought it was some sort of stress related illness but this seems unlikely now???

Will let you know how blood tests get on - our local vet is frankly appalled by the state of me!!!

Thanks,

Catherine
 
I know someone who was puzzled by what was wrong with her, could barely go into work and ride her horse, then it was diagnosed. She was sure she had been bitten by a tick from her dog. As soon as she got the right antibiotics she felt a little better but I do believe there are long term complications. I think doctors should test for it more frequently so it can be caught at an earlier stage - at the stage where antibiotics can easily treat it. Not all antibiotics are effective against it so surely they should just start you on Tetracycline or something in the meantime why you are waiting for the referral!
 
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