Comments on: Lyme Resources

By: Pam Dodd

Pam Dodd — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:45:44 +0000

Kelli, it is possible to have Lyme for a long time and have symptoms come and go. I’ve probably had Lyme since the l960′s or l970′s without knowing it. I was finally diagnosed in 2005. And I’ve never been as sick as many people with Lyme. Igenex is a fairly reliable test, although no Lyme test is 100% accurate. Also not everyone gets strong Herx reactions. This isn’t a definitive reply, I know. But that’s the murkiness of Lyme. Thanks for asking.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:52:35 +0000

Pam, I went to a nurse practitioner for a hormone check after a hysterectomy. When she found out I had several auto-immune disorders and problems with fatigue and mental clarity she asked if I would allow her to test for Lyme disease. She ran several tests including the IGeneX which confirmed her suspicions. I am currently taking long term antibiotic treatment and am just starting week four. I was warned about Herx reactions but quite honestly am feeling pretty good. I have never been healthy and my nurse believes that I have had Lyme since birth. I have been to doctors off and on my whole life for a whole host of symptoms which fall in line with Lyme, but when I read about Chronic Lyme I feel like I should be sicker than I am. Is it possible I’ve been misdiagnosed or is it possible to have this disease for thirty seven years and have symptoms come and go over the years?

By: Pam Dodd

Pam Dodd — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:05:05 +0000

Yes, your sister’s symptoms could definitely be chronic Lyme, Deanne. Her dizziness could be from an ear problem, just not one that shows up on normal tests. One of my most annoying Lyme symptoms was recurring vertigo. I’m sending you NY Lyme info to give to your sister. She should see someone who knows how to treat Lyme adequately. She probably wasn’t treated long enough before. Thanks for asking, and for being such a caring sister.

By: Pam Dodd

Pam Dodd — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:51:41 +0000

Kathy, no need to be so discouraged. You’ve just been barking up the wrong tree. The CDC ELISA & Western Blot tests are famously unreliable, reporting a lot of false negatives. FL Lyme info is on its way. See a doctor who knows how to diagnose Lyme correctly and treat it adequately. Thanks for asking.

By: Deanne R

Deanne R — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:59:40 +0000

Pam, my sister was treated for Lyme after being bitten by a tick 2 years ago. She lives in the Albany, NY area. At Christmas she suddenly became very dizzy and had trouble just getting up and going to work. Today she told me she had an MRI done and there is nothing wrong with her ear, nerves from ear to brain, therefore, the dizziness is not from an ear problem. The MRI did show some white spots in her brain. She also has extreme swelling in her lower right leg and ankle (same leg that was bitten by tick). Her doctor is sending her to an arthritis specialist. She is extremely tired, can barely make it to work and home some days. Can these symptoms be chronic Lyme Disease?
Please help, I am so worried about her.
Thanks, Deanne

By: Kathy B.

Kathy B. — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:36:45 +0000

In January, after having what I thought was the flu, my body, muscles and joints became extremely painful. For weeks, I was barely able to move or sleep. A visit to the doctor and bloodwork showed I had elevated liver enzymes. The doctor sent me for an ultrasound and to a GI specialist. My liver ultrasound was normal, and the enzymes were back to a normal range when bloodwork was repeated. Although I have improved, the migrating joint pain has continued with a vengeance. The doctor agreed to test for Lyme, western blot which came back negative. My symptoms continue which are: migrating joint pain (ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, fingers and now the jaw) and ringing of the ears. My sister had Lyme years ago and experienced the same symptoms. Even without a positive diagnosis, she was treated with Doxy and recovered. My doctor refuses to give me the antibiotic and has run the Elisa test instead. I’m discouraged about the frequency of false negatives and the likelihood I will get the treatment I might need to get better. Could you commend a Lyme specialist in the Central Florida area?

By: Pam Dodd

Pam Dodd — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:25:19 +0000

AL Lyme info is on the way, Jaime. Thanks for asking.

By: Jaime

Jaime — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:08:11 +0000

Would love info on llmd in north Alabama

By: Pam Dodd

Pam Dodd — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:31:43 +0000

NC Lyme info coming your way, Julia. Thanks for asking.

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:01:16 +0000

I’m looking for doctor information in NC. I think I have been misdiagnosed and want to go to someone who knows Lyme disease inside and out. Any suggestions? Thank you!