shokrokmom
08-18-2001, 03:13 PM
I am a 34 year old female. I woke up one morning, 3 years ago, and I had such pain in my legs, from hips to ankles, that I could barely walk. I had to have help getting out of bed in the morning due to the pain. It has persisted for 3 years, although, it dies down to a bare minimum, but never goes away, then comes back. It is now at full force again. Approximately 1 1/2 years later, pain in my arms started, from shoulders to finger tips, that has never gone away. About 1 year ago, I developed a mucous lump in my throat that I can not get rid of, I can not seem to cough it up, it just stays in my throat at all times. About 5 months ago, my back started to hurt very badly. And, around 2 months ago, I started getting very bad daily headaches. I wake up with "pins and needles" in my arms, no matter what position I was sleeping. The pain in my arms and legs feels like it is the bones, not the muscles. My joints stiffen up if I stay in any one position for too long. My hands hurt so bad it feels like someone is crushing them. In summary, I have severe pain in my legs, arms, hands, back, neck, headache, lump in throat, stiff joints, and pins and needles upon awakening. My doctor does not seem to think I have Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because I do not have the signs of fatigue, depression or "brain fog". Although, he is suggesting MS or Lupus, or something of the such, only saying that a plethera of diseases and disorders have the same symptoms. I have been to see a neurologist and he did an MRI of my neck, only, and said that I had a bulging disc, not pinching any nerves. He did not feel it necessary to see me again. My doctor has run a gambit of bloodwork, all coming back within normal range. He has had me on pain medication for approximately 6 months now, I get a little relief from it, but not much. I would like to know if these symptoms sound familiar to anyone. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what tests should be run now or what things i could tell my doctor to check for? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I have been in pain much too long now. Thank you in advance for any help and suggestions. Michelle
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-25-2002).]
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-25-2002).]
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WUV
08-18-2001, 10:10 PM
Have you had thyroid testing done? TSH, T3, T4? See the thyroid category on this board. A lot of what you are describing sounds a lot like many of the symptoms of thyroid.
beeper
11-07-2001, 12:18 AM
Have you had any back op's, spinal injections, mylograqms with contrast dyes, steroid injections? If you have, ask Dr.'s about some form of arachnoiditis.(look it up on the web) Thats what I've been diagnosed with. Many of the same symtoms as you, except for the lump in the throat.
MJ
11-17-2001, 03:19 AM
I too am a female who denies! You can't tell me that you hurt like this and you are not depressed or somewhat brain-fogged. I have had a lot of the same symptoms as you and I am finally out of denial and am seeking real answers now. The thyroid answer is real possible. A malfunctioning thyroid can turn you everything but loose but it will cause some real depression usually. Or at least extreme irratability. My daughter had half of her thyroid removed at 16 due to a tumor. I telling you, we all know when she hasn't had her medication.
I have my doubts that fibromyalgia may not still be a possibility. You can have FM and other things. In fact, it is my understanding that sometimes other conditions sometimes bring on FM.
I just know most women, or at least myself. I will feel so bad but by the time I go to the doctor I have to have a lot wrong. So then I sound like a hypocondriac and leave some of it out. Then it grows and gets worse but you wait so long to go back that you really sound like you surely can't have that much wrong at once. I've come to a new understanding of myself the past few days. I am miserable. I don't deserve this and I've made a list of everything that has gone wrong in the past five years for the doctor in two weeks. I have a MRI next week. I had a hysterecomy because of excessive yeast infections two years ago. I have had two root canals, four cavaties, and a cap in the past year compaired to no cavaties for two years before. I've been fitted with a mouth piece for TMJ. I have severe headaches every day. I found a web site two nights ago that listed case histories of three women with FM. The yeast infections, the tooth problems, there were so many things that were the same as me that I've never heard about before.
I go on too much. Just know that I understand. Reply if you would like my e-mail to keep in touch. I'd like to know what you find out or share with you if I hear anything that might be useful.
I have my doubts that fibromyalgia may not still be a possibility. You can have FM and other things. In fact, it is my understanding that sometimes other conditions sometimes bring on FM.
I just know most women, or at least myself. I will feel so bad but by the time I go to the doctor I have to have a lot wrong. So then I sound like a hypocondriac and leave some of it out. Then it grows and gets worse but you wait so long to go back that you really sound like you surely can't have that much wrong at once. I've come to a new understanding of myself the past few days. I am miserable. I don't deserve this and I've made a list of everything that has gone wrong in the past five years for the doctor in two weeks. I have a MRI next week. I had a hysterecomy because of excessive yeast infections two years ago. I have had two root canals, four cavaties, and a cap in the past year compaired to no cavaties for two years before. I've been fitted with a mouth piece for TMJ. I have severe headaches every day. I found a web site two nights ago that listed case histories of three women with FM. The yeast infections, the tooth problems, there were so many things that were the same as me that I've never heard about before.
I go on too much. Just know that I understand. Reply if you would like my e-mail to keep in touch. I'd like to know what you find out or share with you if I hear anything that might be useful.
ladybugK
11-17-2001, 03:25 PM
Hi shokrokmom:
Has the doctor suggested an MRI of the brain? It could a step toward determining if you have MS or not.
Also, I agree with the other chatter who said fibromyalgia should not be ruled out. I believe it's much more serious and insidious than usually thought. And doctors seem ignorant of it.
Have you been to an internist?
------------------
/lbk/
Has the doctor suggested an MRI of the brain? It could a step toward determining if you have MS or not.
Also, I agree with the other chatter who said fibromyalgia should not be ruled out. I believe it's much more serious and insidious than usually thought. And doctors seem ignorant of it.
Have you been to an internist?
------------------
/lbk/
shokrokmom
11-17-2001, 09:26 PM
Thank you all for posting. My doctor has finally agreed to send me to a rheumatologist, I don't know when I can get in there as the wait list is about 5 months. I suggested an MRI of the brain to look for lesions when I went to the neurologist, he decided that an MRI of the neck only would suffice. I hate when doctors don't listen to you. They act like they are GOD and we are some peons that don't know what we are talking about. Geeze, give someone a degree and they think they know everything. LOL I don't have depression, per say, I do, although get extremely irritable due to lack of sleep. As far as brain-fog goes, well, I AM quite forgetful these days. I look foward to the day that someone will say "Yes, Michelle, we know exactly what is wrong with you." I only pray that it is something along the lines of thyroid or FM.
I am waiting to hear from my doctor about an appointment with the rheumatologist, I may have to help him along and call and get an appointment myself as my doctor is a little slow doing things along those lines. I have one of those doctors that don't want to give up, he wants to figure it out himself, but, all he seems to be doing for me is giving me more pain pills, he doesn't order more tests, or the tests that I keep requesting. I have requested that he repeats a couple of the blood tests he has done already but he says that we already did that one so he don't feel the need to do it again.
Anyway, I have babbled on long enough. MJ, I would love to correspond with you.
Take care all,
Michelle
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-25-2002).]
I am waiting to hear from my doctor about an appointment with the rheumatologist, I may have to help him along and call and get an appointment myself as my doctor is a little slow doing things along those lines. I have one of those doctors that don't want to give up, he wants to figure it out himself, but, all he seems to be doing for me is giving me more pain pills, he doesn't order more tests, or the tests that I keep requesting. I have requested that he repeats a couple of the blood tests he has done already but he says that we already did that one so he don't feel the need to do it again.
Anyway, I have babbled on long enough. MJ, I would love to correspond with you.
Take care all,
Michelle
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-25-2002).]
Slaughter1
01-28-2002, 02:33 AM
Hello Michelle. My name is Lindy. Your situfation is very unique and I understand it may be frustrating finding the diagnoses. I am curious to know if you have yet recieved a diagnoses. I have a few sugesstions to share with you.
My father had very similar symptoms about a 1 1/2 years ago. He went to a Rheumatologist, neurologist, the whole works. No one seemed to know what was wrong with him. almost 9 months later he went to see a really good neurologist. (A doctor that was determined to find out what was wrong.) They discoverd he has Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis. Other wise known as Lou Gerhig's disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a chronic, progressive disease marked by gradual degeneration of the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy; symptoms commonly appear in middle to late adulthood.
What are the symptoms?
The onset of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are frequently overlooked. The earliest symptoms may include twitching, cramping, or stiffness of muscles; muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg; slurred and nasal speech; or difficulty chewing or swallowing. These general complaints then develop into more obvious weakness or atrophy that may cause a physician to suspect ALS.
The parts of the body affected by early symptoms of ALS depend on which muscles in the body are damaged first. In some cases, symptoms initially affect one of the legs, and patients experience awkwardness when walking or running or they notice that they are tripping or stumbling more often. Some patients first see the effects of the disease on a hand or arm as they experience difficulty with simple tasks requiring manual dexterity such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. Other patients notice speech problems.
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. Patients have increasing problems with moving, swallowing (dysphagia), and speaking or forming words (dysarthria). Symptoms of upper motor neuron involvement include tight and stiff muscles (spasticity) and exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia) including an overactive gag reflex. An abnormal reflex commonly called Babinski's sign (the large toe extends upward as the sole of the foot is stimulated in a certain way) also indicates upper motor neuron damage. Symptoms of lower motor neuron degeneration include muscle weakness and atrophy, muscle cramps, and fleeting twitches of muscles that can be seen under the skin (fasciculations).
To be diagnosed with ALS, patients must have signs and symptoms of both upper and lower motor neuron damage that cannot be attributed to other causes.
Although the sequence of emerging symptoms and the rate of disease progression vary from person to person, eventually patients will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and arms. Difficulty swallowing and chewing impair the patient's ability to eat normally and increase the risk of choking. Maintaining weight will then become a problem. Because the disease usually does not affect cognitive abilities, patients are aware of their progressive loss of function and may become anxious and depressed. Health care professionals need to explain the course of the disease and describe available treatment options so that patients can make informed decisions in advance. In later stages of the disease, patients have difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken.
Ever since my father's diagnoses I have tried my hardest to let people know about the disease. It goes undiagnosed to often. And more often is misdiagnosed for other diseases such as Lupus,Lyme disease, and MS.
Which brings me into speaking about the other possiblity.... we thought my father had LYme disease. you may live in a state with a high risk of ticks bites. It causes symptoms very close to what you have described. Most doctors will not test for these diseases until everything else has been ruled out. In many cases doctors won't test for lyme disease unless you ask for it. I know it hard to not know. I hope something I have described might help you. I pray for you and hope things go well. I hope you find the answer. God pray it not be any of these diseases. Good luck in the future.
Sincerly,
Lindy
My father had very similar symptoms about a 1 1/2 years ago. He went to a Rheumatologist, neurologist, the whole works. No one seemed to know what was wrong with him. almost 9 months later he went to see a really good neurologist. (A doctor that was determined to find out what was wrong.) They discoverd he has Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis. Other wise known as Lou Gerhig's disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a chronic, progressive disease marked by gradual degeneration of the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy; symptoms commonly appear in middle to late adulthood.
What are the symptoms?
The onset of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are frequently overlooked. The earliest symptoms may include twitching, cramping, or stiffness of muscles; muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg; slurred and nasal speech; or difficulty chewing or swallowing. These general complaints then develop into more obvious weakness or atrophy that may cause a physician to suspect ALS.
The parts of the body affected by early symptoms of ALS depend on which muscles in the body are damaged first. In some cases, symptoms initially affect one of the legs, and patients experience awkwardness when walking or running or they notice that they are tripping or stumbling more often. Some patients first see the effects of the disease on a hand or arm as they experience difficulty with simple tasks requiring manual dexterity such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. Other patients notice speech problems.
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. Patients have increasing problems with moving, swallowing (dysphagia), and speaking or forming words (dysarthria). Symptoms of upper motor neuron involvement include tight and stiff muscles (spasticity) and exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia) including an overactive gag reflex. An abnormal reflex commonly called Babinski's sign (the large toe extends upward as the sole of the foot is stimulated in a certain way) also indicates upper motor neuron damage. Symptoms of lower motor neuron degeneration include muscle weakness and atrophy, muscle cramps, and fleeting twitches of muscles that can be seen under the skin (fasciculations).
To be diagnosed with ALS, patients must have signs and symptoms of both upper and lower motor neuron damage that cannot be attributed to other causes.
Although the sequence of emerging symptoms and the rate of disease progression vary from person to person, eventually patients will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and arms. Difficulty swallowing and chewing impair the patient's ability to eat normally and increase the risk of choking. Maintaining weight will then become a problem. Because the disease usually does not affect cognitive abilities, patients are aware of their progressive loss of function and may become anxious and depressed. Health care professionals need to explain the course of the disease and describe available treatment options so that patients can make informed decisions in advance. In later stages of the disease, patients have difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken.
Ever since my father's diagnoses I have tried my hardest to let people know about the disease. It goes undiagnosed to often. And more often is misdiagnosed for other diseases such as Lupus,Lyme disease, and MS.
Which brings me into speaking about the other possiblity.... we thought my father had LYme disease. you may live in a state with a high risk of ticks bites. It causes symptoms very close to what you have described. Most doctors will not test for these diseases until everything else has been ruled out. In many cases doctors won't test for lyme disease unless you ask for it. I know it hard to not know. I hope something I have described might help you. I pray for you and hope things go well. I hope you find the answer. God pray it not be any of these diseases. Good luck in the future.
Sincerly,
Lindy
ilonaross
02-03-2002, 09:24 AM
hi. In addition to what's been posted above, you need an ANA (anti nuclear antibody) test to check for the autoimmune diseases. God willing, you won't have any of those. I have Lyme Disease, and for a while was terrified that I had ALS. The good news is that with Lyme Disease, it gets better with antibiotics. Here's the thing about Lyme Disease. Not all labs are created equal, and not all doctors know how to read a lab report. The best labs for Lyme Disease are Igenex, Bowen, and a place in NJ whose name I don't recall at the moment... Medlabs?.. something like that. The bad news is that your insurance won't pay for these tests. You need to do it out of pocket. However, they are more precise than the tests from other labs. Moreover, another problem arises with the Western blots and Elisas from other labs. Many Elisas give false negatives. As for the Western blots, you need five (?) bands positive to fit the CDC standards for reporting a positive Lyme diagnosis to the CDC. However, many doctors don't realize this is just a reporting standard, not a diagnostic standard, and then they say you're negative, when in fact you're positive. I personally turned out positive to only a few bands, but they are bands that are specific to the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease. In other words, I reacted positively to a portion of the Lyme bacterium that is idiosyncratic ONLY to that bacterium. So, that proves it's Lyme, but doesn't qualify for CDC reporting purposes. Only an infectious disease specialist would know that, though. It sounds like you're going to be spending some bucks tracking down your problem, but you might as well do it and save yourself further degeneration down the road. Do some medical investigating to help yourself, because the ducks... oh, sorry, i meant docs... it's just that they go quack quack so much... won't do it for you. You do need to rule out Lyme Disease, and only what's known as a Lyme-literate doctor can do that for you. A general internist won't have the knowledge. You also need a rheumatologist for the ANA tests, but I see that you already have an appointment with one. One tiny point. Weakly false positive ANA tests are common with Lyme Disease. The scenario may go like this: they call you to tell you that your ANA was weakly positive, and come in for more tests. So you go in for further tests, and it is that second round of rheum tests that will be more accurate in determining whether or not you have an autoimmune disease or not. You've got your homework cut out for you. Good luck. ilona.
kathryn2
02-08-2002, 12:59 AM
For Beeper. I have arachnoiditis also. 30 yeras. I am interested in how you got it. Please, e mail me direct. For some reason the doctors don't ssem to want the real story told! Even the news papers will not touch the story! Thanks. Hope you doing all right, all things considered.kathryn2
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-18-2002).]
[This message has been edited by moderator2 (edited 03-18-2002).]
SHERRIE TUCKER
06-18-2004, 10:53 AM
Have You Been On Steroids For Anything? I Have Alot Of The Same Problems But It All Stared For Me Following A Really Bad Time In The Hosp. With My Asthma. I Was On Iv Steroids Then Pill Form. Then Had Terrible Steroid Withdrawls & Have Not Been The Same Since.
If You Have Been On Steroids Please Let Me Know. I Would Like To Talk.
Thanx Sherrie
If You Have Been On Steroids Please Let Me Know. I Would Like To Talk.
Thanx Sherrie
kellykay
06-19-2004, 10:22 AM
hi .. i can understand your situition from an emotional point .i was seeing a doctor who told me that my blood work was fine all in the normal range.. later to switch doctors and find out that the first doctor was only testing the normal things.. the average type tests ..which show nothing.. it is good to ask them to check the stuff that points to the rare diseases.. that is how they found out what is going on with me.. it is the not so obvious stuff the doctor should really look for.. i hate the whole.. well i don't know what it is so.. it can't be that serious. grh..
netace
06-24-2004, 03:28 PM
For the lump in the throat, try tea with lemon, and menthol cough drops. Menthol usually dissolves mucus.
For leg cramps, this is usually a lack of magnesium and/or potassium. Magnesium needs to be in a 1:2 ratio to calcium. Almost everyone gets FAR too much sodium(Na), and much too little potassium(K). Medics think they know all about it, but rarely do. As long as you are not on potassium sparing drugs (usually for high blood pressure or kidney problems), you should be able to take potassium tablets (usual 99mg tabs are available at Walgreens, Osco, Savon, etc.) to counter the excess sodium. Start by estimating the sodium and potassium intake for each meal, then take potassium tablets if needed, enough to make up half as much in potassium.
Never take more than 10 potassium pills in a day. That will keep you well below the Upper Allowable Limit.
Beware of prepackaged frozen foods! Some of these have in excess of 3000mg of sodium in one meal!
Another point: sports trainers recommend MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for athletes to cope with leg cramps. MSM is a natural form of sulfur that is found in the body, and is used to maintain cells and cartilage. Usual dose is 1-2 1000mg capsules or tabs, twice a day.
For leg cramps, this is usually a lack of magnesium and/or potassium. Magnesium needs to be in a 1:2 ratio to calcium. Almost everyone gets FAR too much sodium(Na), and much too little potassium(K). Medics think they know all about it, but rarely do. As long as you are not on potassium sparing drugs (usually for high blood pressure or kidney problems), you should be able to take potassium tablets (usual 99mg tabs are available at Walgreens, Osco, Savon, etc.) to counter the excess sodium. Start by estimating the sodium and potassium intake for each meal, then take potassium tablets if needed, enough to make up half as much in potassium.
Never take more than 10 potassium pills in a day. That will keep you well below the Upper Allowable Limit.
Beware of prepackaged frozen foods! Some of these have in excess of 3000mg of sodium in one meal!
Another point: sports trainers recommend MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) for athletes to cope with leg cramps. MSM is a natural form of sulfur that is found in the body, and is used to maintain cells and cartilage. Usual dose is 1-2 1000mg capsules or tabs, twice a day.
Leanne R
06-25-2004, 10:00 AM
All I can say is........Look at what you are eating. I know it sounds silly but Interolance to certain foods can cause all the symptoms you have.
I suggest you cut out Gluten/Wheat/Refined Sugar and Dairy but make you you get a really good multi vitamin and mineral to replace what you will lose by cutting out those groups of food. (always get advice from a trained professional in this field first, I suggest a nutritionalist not a dietician.
If you can go and see a naturopath and I'm sure they will help you with your diet as well. (look at what peanuts can do to those with allergies and what sugar does to a diabetic....foods are so powerful so don't underestimate what affects they have on the body.
Eat as natural as possible, no convience foods as they are full of additives and preservatives which you could be reacting to. I know it's a drag but if it makes a difference (and it can believe me) you will be so grateful!!
I suggest you cut out Gluten/Wheat/Refined Sugar and Dairy but make you you get a really good multi vitamin and mineral to replace what you will lose by cutting out those groups of food. (always get advice from a trained professional in this field first, I suggest a nutritionalist not a dietician.
If you can go and see a naturopath and I'm sure they will help you with your diet as well. (look at what peanuts can do to those with allergies and what sugar does to a diabetic....foods are so powerful so don't underestimate what affects they have on the body.
Eat as natural as possible, no convience foods as they are full of additives and preservatives which you could be reacting to. I know it's a drag but if it makes a difference (and it can believe me) you will be so grateful!!
cyndzines
07-18-2004, 09:17 PM
My heart goes out to you. Have you been taking a statin drug (lipitor) by any chance? I had a very bad problem with Lipitor (cholestoral drug like zocor) where I got these pains in my legs, then it would switch to my arm for a few weeks , then to my upper back.. and on and on. I had problems with short term memory loss, like I'd start out to drive somewhere then I'd forget where I was going to. Once I was going to pick up my son from college and I had to call him after I started out because I couldn't remember where he was. Mostly, I first noticed I was really tired. I stopped taking the Lipitor,but my blood tests showed it already damaged my muscles( a rare disease called rhabdomyolysis ). My doctor gave me ck tests which measures muscle damage, serum myoglobin tests and urine myoglobin tests( myoglobin in your urine makes your urine look dark or cola colored) to look for signs of the disease. The important thing is, this drug can cause kidney damage or liver damage. Do you remember the drug Baycol? It was taken off the market for causing deaths from rhabdomyolysis. Check it out if you take a statin.
janscrub
07-20-2004, 08:31 AM
In fact MRI scans are not very specific for MS - clinical diagnosis is more important. there is nothing here that says MS. Fibromyalgia is a very common diagnosis and I would refute the suggestions that doctors are "ignorant" of it.
Hi shokrokmom:
Has the doctor suggested an MRI of the brain? It could a step toward determining if you have MS or not.
Also, I agree with the other chatter who said fibromyalgia should not be ruled out. I believe it's much more serious and insidious than usually thought. And doctors seem ignorant of it.
Have you been to an internist?
------------------
/lbk/
Hi shokrokmom:
Has the doctor suggested an MRI of the brain? It could a step toward determining if you have MS or not.
Also, I agree with the other chatter who said fibromyalgia should not be ruled out. I believe it's much more serious and insidious than usually thought. And doctors seem ignorant of it.
Have you been to an internist?
------------------
/lbk/
MistyEyes
08-10-2004, 11:01 AM
I just found this group and I normally dont post, but I'm going to pull a "rabbit out of my hat".
Have you ever been biten by a tick? From what you are describing almost sound like what my sister has, latent limes disease.
She is very foggy, stiff, disorientated, and sometimes in chronic pain and achy.
She was tick bitten wayyy back before they really know what limes is, and so her bullseye rash went untreated for about 15+ years.
Do a bit of research you might be surprised!
Im adding this FYI, I just found this on the net:
"If ignored, the early symptoms may disappear, but more serious problems can develop months to years later. The later symptoms of Lyme disease can be quite severe and chronic. Muscle pain and arthritis, usually of the large joints is common. Neurological symptoms include meningitis, numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the extremities, Bell's palsy (loss of control of one or both sides of the face), severe pain and fatigue (often extreme and incapacitating) and depression. Heart, eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems can develop. Symptoms are often intermittent lasting from a few days to several months and sometimes years. Chronic Lyme disease, because of its diverse symptoms, mimics many other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose."
from this page:
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/jake/mosaic/lyme.html
good luck
:jester:
Have you ever been biten by a tick? From what you are describing almost sound like what my sister has, latent limes disease.
She is very foggy, stiff, disorientated, and sometimes in chronic pain and achy.
She was tick bitten wayyy back before they really know what limes is, and so her bullseye rash went untreated for about 15+ years.
Do a bit of research you might be surprised!
Im adding this FYI, I just found this on the net:
"If ignored, the early symptoms may disappear, but more serious problems can develop months to years later. The later symptoms of Lyme disease can be quite severe and chronic. Muscle pain and arthritis, usually of the large joints is common. Neurological symptoms include meningitis, numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the extremities, Bell's palsy (loss of control of one or both sides of the face), severe pain and fatigue (often extreme and incapacitating) and depression. Heart, eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems can develop. Symptoms are often intermittent lasting from a few days to several months and sometimes years. Chronic Lyme disease, because of its diverse symptoms, mimics many other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose."
from this page:
http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/jake/mosaic/lyme.html
good luck
:jester:
gosgirl
08-12-2004, 03:41 PM
You Have FIBROMYALGIA. No doubt. I had the same symptoms for over ten years. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis thirteen years ago and blamed most of my pain on that. You need to change doctors now. You may consider a rheumatologist. This is a terrible condition that has no cure, however there are things you can do to make your life better and reduce flare-ups. Seek help now with a doctor who is qualified to treat this disease. Good luck.
notime2work
08-19-2004, 09:19 PM
Have you been tested for Lyme? I was just recently diagnosed, and discovered that all these symptoms could be Lyme. Visit the Lyme board and see if it could be a possibility.
Gail
Gail