Well, well, well, Lyme Disease it is :(

May 16, 2008, 9:45 pm
Filed Under random babbling | |

I saw my doctor on Thursday & sure enough, my Lyme tests came up positive. They ran 2 different tests - one that tests for the antibodies in my blood (they’re there) and another that identified a few strands of the bacterias in my blood. A bunch came up “reactive.” I go between being really worried & thinking it’s not a big deal. Since it was the allergy doctor I was seeing when we found out, he’s the one who’s treating me. But, I’m going to get a 2nd (and 3rd) opinion by seeing my regular doctor and a doctor friend of the family, too, next week. The allergy doctor put me on strong antibiotics for the next 4 weeks (and after reading all about Lyme & treatments, I actually asked him if he could up the dosage so we can be sure to knock this thing out - he agreed). But, I want to now switch the care to my regular doctor just so I can be sure I’m getting the best care I can. The biggest thing that worries me is that I’ve read so much about how steroids are contraindicated with Lyme Disease. Meaning you absolutely shouldn’t take steriods when you have Lyme because the steroids can weaken the immune system, allowing the bacteria to basically have it’s way with you. And I was on some major doses for several weeks to help with the hives. So those little Lyme bacteria may be running wild in my blood. I’ve also heard that antihistamines can also weaken your immune system, so since my allergies really aren’t bothering me now, I may go off the antihistamines completely. I haven’t told my allergy doctor that yet, but I think after I see the other 2 doctors, I may tell him that after I kick this Lyme Disease, I can see him to talk about what allergy treatment I may need. The allergy doctor seems to think my bad cough & even the hives aren’t related to the Lyme’s, but I’m sure they are. I have a feeling that my body reacted to the bacteria of Lyme’s by making hives. And the cough could go along with the immune system being suppressed. Who knows - me & my google diagnosis - what do I know?

So we’ll see what develops over the next few weeks. All I know is that I’ve been dead tired today but can’t be sure it’s the Lyme’s (or the fact that I’m a mom of 3 - all of which were home today) and I’ve also had headaches & this cough. Is it related? Isn’t it? I don’t know, but I want to be aggressive with the treatment up front so I can kick this as best I can.


Comments

1 Comment so far

  1. Kristen on May 17, 2008 8:02 am

    Oh, no!! ((((JENN)))) I hate mystery diagnoses more than just about everything. Goll, I hate to say I hope it’s Lyme though. Ungh. I hope if it IS Lyme it’s kicked out by these antibiotics fast. Oh man. I’m sorry!

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