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Posted 12/9/2008 9:29 PM (GMT -8)
Hello, I've been a frequenter of the chrons/colits boards here, as well as the panic disorder section. 

I decided to get tested for lymes last week because I've been bitten by ticks and I live on a farm.  Also every one of my dogs have had lymes in the past.  Most of this stuff started last june.  Got the panic disorder and then progressed into a nasty general sickness which included a flare up of the colitis and then a bout with salmonella.  So I haven't felt well even after being treated for those things..and generally feel sick, tired, joint pain, bad depression, etc.

I got the results back today and apparently it was positive.  This test was done by my GI doctor and he forwarded my results over to my primary who I am going to see tomorrow at 9 am.   I am not sure which test it was, but i am sure it was some anti-body test and I will find out tomorrow.

I haven't had much time to read all the resources on lymes, and I do see alot of conflicting information.

What I am looking for, and excuse my ignorance, is a general course or pattern that lymes follows from the tick bite until the resolution of symptoms.  What medicines are normally used(we treat my dog with doxycycline or amoxyciline), and how effective are they.  What are common side effects of medicines?  I'd guess they are all hard on the GI tract, which will not be good in my situation.     

I am sure specifics might be hard which is also the case with my chrons/colitis, but i am also sure theres a general trend. 

Is there some specific questions I should ask the doctor tomorrow?  I wish I would have had more time to prepare myself with questions as I am usually a researchaholic.. but I just wasn't able to get to it.   

Thanks,

Vin

Posted 12/9/2008 9:42 PM (GMT -8)

Welcome Vin,

Wow, what a time you've had.  As you know from looking at all the message threads no 2 people are alike, which really makes this journey we are on very difficult.

My suggestions would be to find out what tests was done and what lab.

Ask for a Lyme Literate doctor referral.

Find if you have been tested for co-infections, they are important.

Good luck to you and write back again. It's very late and past my bedtime.

maggie

Posted 12/10/2008 7:05 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Vin,
I think it's too late now (after 9, where I am anyway!), but let us know how your appointment went.
Posted 12/10/2008 8:43 AM (GMT -8)
Ok, I just got back to work. He said the GI doctor only got a positive on the screening test (tipar?) and said it was 1.29 or something when normal is supposed to be 1.09. He is sending my blood out for a western blot test and also to check for co-infections.

He is treating me with doxy for 30 days at 200 mg because I am showing clinical symptoms plus my history and the positive on the screening test.

Anyone have thoughts? I am going to be spending some time today educating myself about lymes.

Vin
Posted 12/10/2008 12:10 PM (GMT -8)
Vin - Believe it or not, it sounds like your set of doctors are on the ball. They've read your results correctly, they're doing a Western Blot (which I thought was kind of mandatory after you test positive on the first "tier" - but who knows). They BELIEVE you and your test results and haven't referred you to a pshrink! And, the first line of treatment for Lyme disease (according to the IDSA guidelines - ugh!) is 200 mg Doxy for 2 to 4 weeks.

Keep in mind the test (Western Blot) is often wrong. So even if it's negative, you could be Lyme disease positive based on your history with ticks, your clinical symptoms, and your first tier positive result. It's murky waters your getting ready to enter, but at least your doctors are doing something... and not calling you "crazy" or "depressed". Anyway, this site is a great place for LD information.

All the best.
Posted 12/10/2008 2:49 PM (GMT -8)
Vin, I had to track you down to find a thread you started in hopes you would see my note. I noticed on a post you made on the Crohn's forum that your signature needs some fixin'. Healing Well had to limit the length of signatures some time ago because of the amount of band width they were gobbling up. Some peoples' signatures took up an entire screen. Everytime the posted, that signature appeared. Some were prolific posters. Hence the rule:

Please fix you signature to take up no more than TEN lines. That 10 lines includes spaces. I think all the info you have in yours will fit by reformatting and using commas should you wish to include all of it.

Thanks for your help with this! ~~ Ides
Posted 12/10/2008 7:18 PM (GMT -8)
Did some fixing and its good now :).

JELAINE:

I live in an area thats got alot of lymes. In fact, almost everyone I know knows someone that has had lymes. Plus all our dogs have had it, and just about about everyone elses dogs have had it too. Doctors around here tend to see it alot so its not scoffed at.

I am just hoping I respond to treatment, and that this is the cause of all my issues this year. I've also had some nasty blurry vision thats been pissing me off! I guess I'll know pretty soon! I've been sick for a while, had so many complications, mental issues, etc. I hope theres still hope. I'll keep everyone updated.

Vin
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