Doctor's appointment today was for a women's wellness exam but we also discussed Lyme Disease briefly. I apologized for being so lethargic and if I seemed out of it but HELLO this is what Lyme is doing to me.
I asked if I am basically going to have to deal with this for my entire life. She said no. I explained my research. I had you all there with me in my corner!!! I told her about swollen and painful joints, being extremely fatigued, the heart palpitations. I also told her that I suffer through bad days just to enjoy 1 or 2 good days. I asked what is next and she told me that they don't do anything more unless I am still showing symptoms. She had them draw blood to retest for Lyme Disease and then if it comes back positive, I will be put back on a longer treatment of antibiotics. Your thoughts on this, anyone?
I am trying not to overwhelm this woman with all the facts, links, printed out documents at once but I am slowly hitting her with this info. I guess my next step if still positive is more antibiotics. I forgot to ask her if my case was reported to the CDC. I will ask that when they call back with my blood test results. It's a rainy/thunderstorm day and I have some energy today. Not 100% myself but some energy. I need the little bit of energy I have to get to work soon for a 4 hr shift in the office. I'll check back soon.
I appreciate your story. It is good that your doctor is open minded about treating you for Lyme long term. I have found that extended treatment was needed for anyone who had late stage Lyme. Some use antibiotics, others herbal remedies... for many of us, antibiotics is required for years. If your doc is willing to learn, and willing to treat, keep teaching her. At the same time, Lyme specialists have studied the disease for years and have developed great protocols. Dr. Burrascano's is one of the most popular. dkel has posted the protocol on several posts. I might suggest taking that to your doctor...perhaps her open-mindedness will extend to researching the disease for you. Hope all works out and that you are doing okay.
Once I find the letter from the doctor, I'll be able to tell you word for word what it says....BUT...for now I'll tell you it reads; basically I am no longer Lyme positive. I'm cured. It's a miracle. LOL
The second blood test and poof stay away, I don't want to hear about Lyme no more. OK doc.
I do feel better after the antibiotics but wtf? Seriously? I haven't gotten around to reading Dr. Burrascano's guidelines for Lyme but I will get right on it. Is it possible that I have nothing to worry about because it may have been caught early? I saw what you posted about Gall Bladder/Lyme....and I had a massive Gall Bladder attack (2010) with such huge amounts of stones and my surgeon was saying he was tempting to cut me completely open because of how many dozens of stones he had to crush so he could pull my gall bladder out through the small incision. I'm not sure if the recent bite was the only tick bite that infected me with Lyme.
I guess I will just stick here with this group read up and do what I can to stay on top of my health. Any suggestions?
dkel hit the nail on the head...only you will know when you are better. The doctor can listen and go by testing, but doesn't know how it feels to be in your body. I urge you to find a Lyme-literate doc who can assess your symptoms clinically and guide you from there. It is possible you are getting better...but if you do not feel better, another set of eyes might help. I had to go to a dozen doctors with my positive lyme tests to find help. Despite my labs and clinical presentation I was laughed out of countless doctors' offices. Persistence is key. I wish you well, and will be thinking of you.
