Something new every day

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry to be so self-centered here, but I wanted to update you on my " case. "

Yesterday I learned an awful lot. First, I found out that the county I live in

(Chester County, PA) ranks THIRD in the United States for Lyme disease

incidence. So why my present doctors are treating it so casually is just beyond

me. I mean, why they ALL are so easy-come, easy-go about ticks just baffles me!

I will say, to my doctor's credit, that he bothered to ask whether or not we get

deer in our yard. I said yes, and he looked doubtful (eternal skeptics, doctors

are.) So he asked for further proof, like " Do you live near the woods? " and

when I said, " I sometimes look out my living room window and see a deer four

feet away " he boosted my son's antibiotic course from 14 to 28 days, because of

that information alone. That's to his credit.

Second, I no longer think I am a hypochondriac. I believe I do have Lyme. I was

talking to a lady from our local Lyme Foundation about it, and she and her son

have Lyme. I asked her whether or not she ever gets pain in her jaw? She said,

" Yes, in the jaw, the ears, along the sides of my neck, and into my shoulders. "

And I got goosebumps all over because that is me, exactly. I actually think I

might have had it for a year, because I've had unexplained cystitis, shoulder

cramps, knee problems, and other symptoms for that long. Which means I

breastfed my son while I probably had Lyme, and he may have had it before this

tick bite. So, in a weird way, maybe that tick bite was a blessing? It woke us

up.

Third, I got on Ann Corson's 11 month waiting list. She must be an extraordinary

woman. I felt like I was talking to general in the military when I reached her

receptionist, the process of exchanging information was so orderly and succinct-

and SHE set the rules. No talking unless you are asked something. I

appreciate that though. I am now trying to find a doctor who will take us before

my son's antibiotics ran out. The Lyme Foundation lady told me....and I am

reeling with disbelief here.....that I should go for 3 to 6 MONTHS of

antibiotics for my son. ( " Because you really want to make absolutely SURE he

doesn't have it lingering, trust me, " she said.) That spooks me. My doctor made

me think that people will die if they have much. So I just don't know. I am

still praying that a capable doctor will take us under his or her wing, test for

the co-infections without me having to prod and push, and give me a REST.

And that's that. Thank you, Colleen, for the useful information, I'm overwhelmed

with researching and it's nice to find suggestions in my mailbox without having

to dig through the internet for them:)

Best wishes, as always.

Trish

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