Coincidence?

[wesimkins]

Hi Everyone,

 

I thought I would post over here from the tics forum. My son (6) has been having minor tics yet severe allergy symptoms for the past 6 months or so. The doctors are finally testing for Lyme though I am not sure which tests he is ordering. One is the western blot, yet another he said would need to be sent to another lab. Hopefully this is good. Also this past week I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy and have completely lost the left side of my facial muscles and taste. Is this a coincidence? Should I ask my doctor to test for Lyme or wait until ds results return? Also, a huge thank you over here too for finding this forum. There is such a comfort in reading your stories and knowing we are not alone in this :-)

[LNN]

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure Bells Palsy is a clear symptom of lyme and I think many LLMDs would start treatment based on that alone. Who diagnosed you with it? Given how difficult it must be to live with this, I'd encourage you to seek treatment now, without waiting for results on your son. But I'd look for a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD), not a general practitioner.

 

As for your son, if the doctor has ordered a standard western blot, the results may not be conclusive. Labs that don't specialize in lyme and only uses CDC guidelines will not test for certain proteins that are highly indicative of lyme (long story - has to do with a failed vaccine that would have made everyone test positive if they looked for these tell-tale proteins).

 

If you're dealing with lyme that's been misdiagnosed, you're in good company here. You may also want to consider bartonella, another tick-borne illness, that causes a number of neuro-psych issues, given your son's tics. So please come back when you have the results and maybe we can help you by giving you a dozen mixed opinions

Edited April 21, 2011 by LLM

[Suzan]

Bells Palsy is a symtom of lyme. I think you should get yourself tested. Do you know which lab? If you need to, get the Igenex test, it is the most reliable.

 

Between your BP and your son's symptoms, it sounds on the surface to be likely to be lyme.

 

HUGS!

 

Susan

[momaine]

Just agreeing with Susan and SFMom. Find an LLMD that uses the Ilads.org guidelines and get an apt. as soon as possible. You can got to www.ilads.org and find a Lyme Literate Physician.

 

Good luck! If it is Lyme, the sooner you get treatment, the more likely you are to get well.

Edited July 28, 2011 by momaine

[Suzan]

I thought I would also mention, my lyme was triggered by a highly stressful situation last year where I ended up with Parsonage Turner Syndrome (horrific pain and a paralyzed arm). I went quickly downhill after that (muscle twitches, fatigue, pain, memory loss and more. Please pay close attention to your symptoms now, just in case. It will help to have this documented if you do have lyme.

 

Susan

[wesimkins]

Thanks for all the responses. We live pretty close to San Diego and there seem to be a few LLMD's in the area. I will see how soon I can get in to one and my son is having his labs next week. Thanks for all the responses...this is all happening a little too fast :-(

[wesimkins]

I found a doctor in San Diego who can see me in three weeks. Her name is Dr Yang and seems to have a good reputation for dealing with Lyme. My next question (and it may be too late) is I am on day 4 of steroid treatments for the Bells Palsy. Have I done more harm than good? Should I quit taking them? My dosage is 6 10mg prednisone pills per day for 10 days...we are on day 4. The paralysis is getting slightly worse each day? I have an appt with my regular MD Monday but dont want to spend the next 4 days on the steroids if they are a bad idea.

 

Thank you,

[sf_mom]

If the steroid are making you worse definitely talk to your Dr. about stopping. When I didn't know I had Lyme I developed seizures from steroid use.

 

I have also heard that Dr. Nicola McFadzean is a very good LLMD in your area.

 

http://restormedicine.com

 

Her treatment philosophy is written about in the book 'Insights to Lyme Treatment' and she has written the book 'The Lyme Diet'.

 

It might be worth checking her out too.

 

-Wendy

Edited April 22, 2011 by SF Mom

[wesimkins]

Thanks Wendy, looking into it now. I have a call into my Dr and will stop the steroids until I hear back...horrible feeling with them...can't keep my head up...total paralysis rather than minor tingling....

[wesimkins]

Hi Everyone,

 

I just wanted to extend a thank you for leading me down the Lyme path as a possible diagnosis. My son is doing better and has yet to be tested (will soon, finances are causing us to treat the worst case first:( however I received my IGenex lab results today and they are positive for Lyme. I also want to thank SFMom for the recommendation of Dr Nicola in San Diego. She has been a blessing the last few months. I will begin pouring through this forum for suggestions and support but wanted to let you know I would never have looked at Lyme without your suggestions. So thank you again, it has been no easy task the last few months but we may have caught this early and that is because of you.

 

~Windy

[wesimkins]

..

Edited July 27, 2011 by wesimkins

[Suzan]

I am sorry about your lyme diagnosis but I am so glad you have found out so you can be treated. This is good news! I hope you start to see results soon.

 

Susan

[sf_mom]

So sorry for your diagnoses but so happy you found some answers and are getting help. Hopefully you'll feel a ton better soon.

 

If its also Lyme for your son he can be helped and I'm sure your Dr. agrees. I am so glad you like her.

 

-Wendy

[momaine]

Treatment can be difficult to get through, but know that you WILl get well and that it is worth it. Half the battle is the diagnosis and finding the right dr. The rest will come in time. Best of luck to you!