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Hello everyone,

I'm in an information gathering phase and am happy to have found this group.

My story is as follows:

I was disgnosed with Lyme 5 years ago. I had become very ill and by the time

the test came back positive, I could not move my head nor arms due to pain.

I was treated with 21 days of tetracycline.

About 2 years ago I saw a podiatrist due to severe pain in my feet. A long

trail of doctors landed me at a rheumatologist who said I had rheumatoid

arthritis. For a year I took various RA drugs-- methotrexate, enbrel, humira,

prednisone to no avail. During that year the pain spread to my hands, certain

muscles and knees, elbows and upper back on occasion. I take pain meds to get

through my day, and took a medical leave from work. I am fortunate to have a

supportive family (husband, parents and three daughters).

I finally saw a new rheumatologist who took many vials of blood and believes

I may have chronic Lyme, or undertreated disease. He put me on minocin,

ceftin and plaquinel pending the tests coming back. I stopped all the other

drugs

and started the antibiotics a week ago. I do some alternative therapy-- my

husband built me a sauna, and I use it three times a week, plus physical

therapy in a pool three times a week. A nutritionist gave me supplements and I

have

vastly altered my diet.

I am now feeling 5 times worse. The new doctor says this is normal-- I have

looked up the herxheimer reaction (sp) and have some understanding of this.

I'm quite frightened, and angry about all the changes I have had to make in

my life due to this mystery illness and pain. I am certain many of you have

experienced similar issues, and look forward to getting to know others.

Right now, I would love to hear other experiences with chronic Lyme, and the

antibiotic therapy.

Thank you very much for your time!

Kirsten, MN