tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75698589518030768262024-03-16T00:08:12.854-07:00I have Lyme Disease...taking it one day at a time, trying not to lose hope of getting better!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-66458295958793780032009-04-15T05:09:00.000-07:002009-04-15T05:13:25.466-07:00Like Night and DayWell I mentioned a few weeks ago that when I stopped my antibiotics I had a relapse of symptoms.:-( It happened very quickly... like just a day after ceasing the antibiotics. I started taking them again and just about as quickly as the symptoms had come back they went away! Yay! I'm feeling pretty good right now.<br /><br />Right now we are in Chicago. I'll post more about that on my other blog when we get home. Holden had his appointment in MO yesterday. The doctor is pleased with his progress. He prescribed some new anbitiotics. He also said he probably doesn't have babesia so we are not going to take those meds anymore (though he isn't sure if it was them that caused the rash). Holden was taking them for 10 days before the rash started and we didn't notice a herx and if he had babesia we would of been able to tell.<br /><br />Well I'm off to get ready. We have A LOT of stuff to do today.<br /><br />Just wanted to update about how we are doing.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-51336673792294393222009-03-27T07:09:00.001-07:002009-03-27T07:44:40.991-07:00A very very late book reviewFirst I want to apologize to Bryan Rosner. Many many months ago (maybe even a year?) Bryan sent me a book he had written called <u>The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments</u>. I immediately read it when I received the book, but failed to write my review. Have I mentioned Procastination is my middle name?<br /><br />Without further ado, here is my review about the book:<br /><br />When I first read this book, I was impressed about how throughly Bryan covers different treatments of Lyme Disease. Anyone who knows someone who has Lyme Disease or has it themselves knows that there is no one treatment for everyone. It definitely isn't one size fits all. In discussing all of these options, Bryan gives hope to those who have failed to get better. <br /><br />I also felt like I could relate with Bryan. He is very knowledgable about Lyme Disease not only because he has done research, but because he has battled Lyme Disease- and won! <br /><br />I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge from reading Bryan's book. When I first received the book I was very confused about what I was up against. It was early on in my treatment and I had so much information coming at me from doctors, the internet, other books, ect. I felt like Rosner's book included most of what you need to know and made it easier to understand than many books I have read.<br /><br />I strongly suggest <u>The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments</u> for anyone who is dealing with Lyme Disease. It will help you better understand the different treatment options you have. If you are like me, you will feel empowered and hopeful after finishing the book.<br /><br />Thank You Bryan Rosner for putting together such a complete, informative guide to treating Lyme Disease. It is a treasure to the Lyme community and will help many people.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-58831174610690730212009-03-27T07:00:00.000-07:002009-03-27T07:08:09.102-07:00Seriously?!?!!?Okay so I guess my troubles with Lyme Disease are NOT over. Ughhh!!!! My doctor was planning on taking me off of everything when I see him on Monday. Earlier this week I ran out of my antibiotics. It seemed stupid to get them filled if I would be taking them for less than a week. So I decided to go ahead and stop taking them. <br /><br />The first day I was doing good. The second I noticed I was a little achey, but didn't really think anything of it. Now yesterday and today my symptoms have been coming back full force. I feel lightheaded a lot and my heart is acting up. I have been having palpataions and this heavy, congested feeling in my chest. I had forgotten about how much the heart symptoms suck! <br /><br />I was really bummed yesterday because this means I am not done. However now I think I have a game plan. I'm seeing my doctor on Monday so I'm going to tell him about everything and see about starting Malarone- I really feel in my heart that I could have the co-infection Babesia. It's a gut instinct I have. I feel like that is what is keeping the Lyme from going away. I'm going to see if he will put me on the Babesia meds and try a new antibiotic like Zithromax or stay on Doxy, if I can. I'm hoping this plan of attack will work.<br /><br />And on top of all the symptoms coming back I'm faced with another problem. Last week my doctor sent a letter saying he is dropping his insurance. He is going to be treating Lyme full time. (hey that rhymed!) I'm happy that he is going to be only focusing on Lyme because Lord knows we need more doctors, but now I'm going to have to figure out how to pay all of my health expenses out-of-pocket. When I got the letter I wasn't too worried because I thought my treatment was coming to an end, but I guess you never know with this disease.<br /><br />I just have to keep repeating, "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger ... Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger... Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger."<br /><br />Now I just have to believe it!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-33655270430309614302009-02-27T21:23:00.000-08:002009-02-27T21:29:12.639-08:00Doing goodI'm almost hesitant to type that title. This disease has been a roller coaster to say the least and at times I feel like I'm walking on egg shells. I have been feeling good, normal, like myself. <br /><br />I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. It went well. I will return next month and more than likely be taken off my antibiotics. I'm excited but scared at the same time. I've been taking medicine for 20 long months. I am excited to not have to do that day in and day out but I'm also scared that my symptoms will come back!! <br /><br />I want to have another baby so badly and I am scared my health will stand in the way of that. I'm doing good now, but how long will that last? I hope for a really long time...but there is now way of knowing.<br /><br />So that's where I stand.<br /><br />Holden is doing well. He is on a new antibiotic. I was surprised when I got it filled and saw that he would have to take pills. They are little, but still he is only four! However once he got the hang of it he has been swallowing them with no trouble.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-24306803566779313442008-12-30T07:39:00.001-08:002008-12-30T07:46:07.242-08:00UpdateWell Holden had his appointment a couple weeks ago. It went really well. I feel at ease now. I just know he's going to be okay. He started his antibiotics and we are having no problems at all getting him to take it. (That was one of my fears.)<br /><br />I think he has herxed from the meds. We notice shortly after he takes his morning dose he acts a little out of it and lethargic. Hopefully treatment won't last long for him. The doctor seemed very confident that he would be completely cured. And after this treatment he should never have to see Holden again.<br /><br />As for me, I'm still taking all the my meds. I had a phone conference yesterday and the doctor is pleased that my symptoms are diminishing. I try not to get my hopes up because I've done that too much during this ordeal. I have an appointment 2 months from now. The doctor said if I'm still doing good he will take me off antibiotics. I'm excited for that but also scared at the same time. My symptoms aren't all gone- the lightheadedness still lingers at times and I have some pain in my back. Other than that I feel pretty normal. My doctor told me that I was the poster child for the day... Hopefully it stays that way!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-77071543769145454582008-11-25T14:46:00.000-08:002008-11-25T14:51:46.678-08:00And onward I go...Sometimes I feel like this journey with Lyme Disease is never going to end. Today has been one of those days. <br /><br />Yesterday I had an appointment with my Lyme doctor. He prescribed Prozac to help with my anxiety. Let's hope it helps!<br /><br />Other than that I'm staying on the same antibiotics and adding flagyl (evil drug) in 2 weeks. Flagyl in the past has caused me to feel REALLY bad. It kills the cyst form of Lyme, so it's a good thing when you feel bad, but not really looking forward to that!<br /><br />We made Holden an appointment with a doctor in Missouri. It's in December. Looks like we're going to visit another state we've never been to. At least that's one positive of Lyme Disease- We get to see new places. LOL!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-2770390312550388022008-10-23T21:44:00.001-07:002008-10-23T22:18:00.220-07:00Please tell me it's not so!Holden <em>may</em> have Lyme Disease.<br /><br />We had <a href="http://lauren-lymedisease.blogspot.com/2007/10/slacking-big-time.html">him tested</a> in Sepetmeber 2007 (shortly after I was diagnosed). My local doctor's office called and said it was negative. I didn't see the test results for myself, I just took their word for it. As time went on I started getting curious to see exactly what the test said. Testing for Lyme Disase is very complicated (as is everything else pertaining to LD!). <br /><br />In June of this year I went to the dr's office to get a copy of his test. My heart sunk when I saw it. Immediately my eyes were drawn to some positive marks. There were a few positive bands and some IND bands (which is pretty much weak positives). I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach.<br /><br />After many days of crying and agonizing over the results, me and Matt decided to hold off on treatment. I really think it was denial on my part. I read on the internet that if a child wasn't showing symptoms, don't treat. Holden really wasn't showing any symptoms, however there were a few things I was worried about.<br /><br />In the last few months I have been critiquing everything that Holden says and does. Everytime he would say "I'm tired" my stomach would knot up. Even if we had just been to the park and a million other places and he had every right to be tired. Anytime any little thing would happen I would wonder 'Is that a Lyme Disease symptom?' It seems like there are so many symptoms. Holden had a few of the little symptoms (like ears turning red and excessive thirst- though that might be hereditary since Matt and my neice are the same way). I tried to tell myself that those symptoms could be a coincidence. He still really wasn't showing the 2 main symptoms of LD (fatigue and pain).<br /><br />So fast forward to Monday. I had a an appointment with my doctor. I brought up Holden during my appointment. My doctor was adament that we treat Holden. I was shocked. In August when I had mentioned Holden he said keeping an eye on him and treating if any symptoms arise would be okay. However he had recently attended a conference about children and Lyme. He brought up a good point that I just couldn't deny. If Holden has had Lyme for his whole life he wouldn't be able to tell us that he felt "different" because for him it would normal. That really hit me.<br /><br />When I left my appointment I felt a little gutted. I felt so much guilt.. soo sooo soo much guilt. Why didn't I start treating him earlier? Why did I wait? What if I caused Holden damage by not getting him treated sooner? <br /><br />I still don't know what to think. Honestly I don't know if he has Lyme. My gut says he probably does and that makes me feel sick. It's almost too much to handle. <br /><br />On the 5 hour car ride home I read a book my doctor gave me about children and Lyme. A few things struck me. It said 27% of children with Lyme have speech delays. It also said children with Lyme will sometimes repeat questions instead of answering them. It's like they can't distinguish that it's a question. Holden does this.:-(<br /><br />I made an appointment for Holden on Monday. It wasn't an easy task to find a good llmd (Lyme literate md) that would treat kids. He's 10 hours away in Missouri.<br /><br />They couldn't fit him in until December 16th. That brings me a lot of anxiety. It seems like such a long time to wait.<br /><br />In the meantime I feel like I'm in a nightmare. I am so scared for Holden. Even though he's not displaying any bad Lyme symptoms, I don't know what's going on in his little body, and the unknown scares me.<br /><br />I just want this to all go away.<br /><br />I keep praying that if Holden does have Lyme Disease that God will take it away from him and put it in my body. I don't care if I'm sicker as long as Holden is okay.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-40225788981217474092008-06-28T23:06:00.000-07:002008-06-28T23:10:50.891-07:00One Year MarkWell It's been 1 year since I started treatment for Lyme Disease. One year is a very long time to take antibiotics. I'm growing quite sick of them. I really don't know how much longer I have until I'm 100% back to my old self. I'm just taking it one day at a time. <br /><br />I am feeling better. I just have some pesky lingering symptoms that aren't going away easily. It's nothing big- just occasional lightheadedness, aches, and very rarely heart palpitations. <br /><br />Right now I'm very achey. I started taking Samento (it's an herb- sort of a natural antibiotic). I think it's causing me to herx. Hopefully it will help me along.:-)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-61527964091638311552008-05-21T20:51:00.000-07:002008-05-21T20:57:54.453-07:00AGHHHHHHHHHHHH!Okay, just needed to get that out. I'm hurting A LOT right now. Like every muscle, joint, tissue in my body is causing me so much pain. <br /><br />I just started a new antibiotic, minocycline, a few days ago. Apparently it's doing something. I have had herxes before but none like this.<br /><br />The other day I was pretty scared. I started getting this weird burning sensation throughout my whole body. It's hard to explain. It felt like a contraction almost because it would start off just in my sternum area and then radiate all throughout my body getting worse and worse. Really weird! I was getting chills too. And on top of that I felt like I was going to lose consciousness. This all came about while at a restaurant, eating lunch. It was very frightening. I came pretty close to having Matt rush me to the ER. Luckily the scary stuff subsided and now I'm left with feeling like I've been hit by a truck.<br /><br />I researched minocycline herxes on one of the Lyme websites I frequent. Apparently a lot of people experinece pretty bad reactions to mino. It is a very strong antibiotic and is capable of passing the blood brain barrier and other small spaces. So it can be very effective. Most of the people that said they herxed badly from mino ended up getting good results in the end. So hopefully the same will happen with me.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-41964454444618091252008-05-01T13:38:00.000-07:002008-05-01T13:48:35.496-07:0010 months later...It's been just over 10 months since I started treatment for Lyme Disease. Sometimes I feel like I haven't made any ground. I definitely thought I would be much better by now. However, when I think back to how I was feeling when I was first diagnosed, I have made some progress. Either that or I'm just getting better at coping with this. I would like to think the first thought is true. That I have made some gain in taking all of these antibiotics.<br /><br />When I was first diagnosed, I couldn't go anywhere by myself. I felt so lightheaded and dizzy all of the time I was terrified that something would happen when I was by myself or worse when it was just me and Holden. So I saved all of my errands for when Matt was home. I also would have to hold on to the basket or stroller a lot during this time. It became a regular thing for Matt to say "Do you want to push the basket (or stroller)." <br /><br />Now I don't feel lightheaded nearly as often. I can go to the store by myself. I no longer have to hold on to anything for support. That is certainly some improvement! I need to start looking more at what has gotten better besides dwelling on what has stayed the same. <br /><br />I started a new antibiotic called levaquin a few weeks ago. I wanted to try to treat some possible co-infections. Levaquin usually targets a co-infection called Bartonella or "Cat Scratch Fever". I've been on it nearly 3 weeks and haven't seen much difference. Usually it causes a severe herx reaction in people that have Bartonella. So maybe that means I probably don't have that... which means I can start treating other possible co-infections.<br /><br />I think next I'm going to see about treating Babesia. I treated it for a couple months early on in my treatment. All of the co-infections are based on clinical symptoms. I quite a few symptoms of Babesia so my doctor put me on Malarone (an anti- Malaria drug). Babesia is a protozoan that is why you can't treat it with antibiotics. Well I didn't stay on the treatment for long and wasn't sure if I took the meds correctly. You are supposed to take it with fat or else the Malarone won't absorb properly. I would get kind of lazy and just drink a few oz. of milk with it. I know that has some fat in it, but maybe it wasn't enough??<br /><br />So that is my next step... trying to treat Babesia. I really hope I can start improving more rapidly. I want to be completely better so bad!!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-46784546367055608952008-03-18T20:53:00.000-07:002008-03-18T21:00:59.902-07:00UpdateJust felt like updating this blog before I go to bed... <br /><br />I am not feeling so great the last few days. I started taking flagyl again- last month I didn't take it. A lot of times the bacteria will turn into cyst form so the flagyl breaks up the cysts so the antibiotics can kill them. Well, apparently, I wasn't feeling better so much because the bacteria was going away, but because it went into a different form....shoot! I really hate this disease. How can bacteria be so smart? I really wish it were easier to get rid of!<br /><br />So I've been feeling mega tired lately and like I'm in a fog. Just not myself. I'm also feeling extra achey... great! I find it takes forever and a day to go to sleep when I feel this way. Then if I wake up for any reason, like last night when Holden woke up in the middle of the night crying, it takes me a good hour to get back to sleep. Sucks!<br /><br />I'm sure it will get better.. so I'm just trying to hang in until then.<br /><br />My doctor was talking about taking me off antibiotics at my next appointment since I was feeling a lot better. But since I started the flagyl again and am still apparently not back to my normal self, I guess that won't be happening.<br /><br />It's very disappointing to think I am getting better... just to be back feeling like this. I feel as if I take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. *Sigh*<br /><br />I just have to keep telling myself it will get better. One day I'll look back at this time in my life and it will be a distant memory.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-83495913018986530262008-01-18T15:45:00.000-08:002008-01-18T15:51:23.908-08:00ProcrastinationI have a very bad habit of procrastinating. I do it with EVERYTHING. I need to make an appointment with my local doctor to get blood work done. It's been 3 months since I've had my blood drawn. I have to get this done to check my liver enzymes. Some of the meds I'm on can cause problems with the liver. I know I need to get this done, but Ughhhh I don't want to! I'm so sick of going to doctors, getting blood taken (which I have a huge aversion to, but have gotten better), and lastly I'm sick of medicine!!!! <br /><br />Okay enough whining. I know need to do it and stop being a baby. The thing is I haven't seen my local doctor since September. I kind of chose the Louisiana doctor over him. Just because I felt like the LA doctor had more experience. Now I know that my local doctor really knows what he's talking about. A lot of the things he told me I needed to do like taking herbs, staying on certain antibiotics, ect. were the right thing I believe. For some reason I dragged my feet and ignored a lot of his suggestions. It's not because I didn't think he was a very knowledgable doctor, but I just was so confused at the time. I guess now all I can do is trust in him. I'm kind of nervous about going back to him. I don't know why... I just feel like I was wrong to of stopped going to him previously... I feel like a retard. I don't know how to explain it. I just feel like I've made a lot of mistakes. I guess all I can do is make better decisions from here on out...Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-73075561034965115192008-01-15T14:08:00.000-08:002008-01-15T14:11:49.265-08:00HiJust wanted to say hi to all that read my blog. Lately I've been getting emails from people that I don't even know, saying that they have been reading my blog. I've gotten emails from people who think they have Lyme Disease, asking for help. I've gotten emails from people who have had Lyme Disease and are now completely better. <br /><br />I love getting emails from people. It really makes me feel like something positive is coming from this whole ordeal. Maybe what I am going through can help others. Plus it's nice to get emails from those who have been through what I'm dealing with... that is comforting.<br /><br />So, anyway, I just wanted to say hi.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-83193238064137642952008-01-04T20:28:00.000-08:002008-01-04T20:41:58.315-08:00Going through the motions...Well I don't have anything new to talk about. I'm feeling pretty much the same. I get tired of saying that, but it's the truth. I've just been taking my meds, herbs, and supplements regurarly, hoping for some change. I take so many different pills each day- it's unreal. <br /><br />Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the worse because I take so many pills/herbs on those days. I take 3 flagyls, 2 biaxins, 2 omnicefs, cumanda, samento, vitamin C, a daily vitamin, probiotics, and magnesium (today I took 2 because I was having an uneasiness feeling in my chest- I hate that!). <br /><br />I've never been much for taking pills. I hate it. The whole time I was pregnant with Holden taking my prenatal was such a chore for me. I dreaded it. I would have to take it along with something, usually applesauce, or else I couldn't swallow it. I still detest taking pills, but it's just something I have to do. I have even gotten to where I can take it with just water... even the big horse pill antibiotics.<br /><br />Anyway, just wanted to update this. Hopefully some good news is on the way. I'm sick of just saying the same ol' thing!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-83820160415691477642007-12-17T14:27:00.000-08:002007-12-17T14:51:06.670-08:00InterestingI was reading an article about the herb <a href="http://www.samento.com.ec/sciencelib/4lyme/curinglymewsam.html">Samento and it's effect on Lyme Disease</a>. I came across an interesting statement: <em>Lyme Disease is now thought to be the fastest growing infectious disease in the world. There are believed to be at least 200,000 new cases each year in the U.S. and some experts think that as many as one in every 15 Americans is currently infected (20 million persons). </em><br /><br />Wow. <br /><br />Often I wonder how many people have the disease and have no idea. It cost a lot of money to even get a diagnosis. What about people that can't afford it? I hope one day soon this disease will be more widely known. If I can get it- a person who lives in West Texas (where <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/riskmap.htm">according to CDC</a> there is minimal or no risk) and who isn't outdoorsy in the least, then anyone can get it. <br /><br />So I went today and got two herbs that are used in treating Lyme Disease: Samento and Cumanda. My local dr. told me about these herbs 6 months ago (when I was first diagnosed). I finally decided to give them a try. I'll be taking them with my current antibiotics. I start tomorrow. I remember him telling me that it's been shown people who take these herbs along with their antibiotics have a better outcome. I spent $80 on both drugs (1 oz. a piece) so I really hope they make a difference. Getting sick sure isn't cheap!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-45625014026559184962007-12-15T20:39:00.000-08:002007-12-15T20:48:12.763-08:00I need to get this out!I've been holding in a lot of anger lately. I'm just so mad about how things are going. I'm not feeling very good these days. I'm just sick of it. I mean really sick of it to the point I just want to scream! <br /><br />I always think in life that every decision turns you into different paths. Even the most miniscule ones, though most don't change your life that much. I think I went down a wrong path when I went to the Louisiana doctor in August.<br /><br />I was doing so good on doxycycline (what my local doctor prescribed). I told the doctor that, but he insisted that I should try Zithromax since doxy is known to cause light sensitivity and it was in August. If I would of just stuck with the doxy for longer, even upped my dosage maybe I would be better now. I was only on it 3 weeks and was already feeling dramatically better. Why did I chang?!?!!?!?!?!?! I guess I'm mad at him and myself. <br /><br />Then when I went back to doxycycline in October, it didn't do ANYTHING for me. How disappointing. I'm thinking the bacteria became resilent to the doxy since I stopped it before. AGHHHH, that makes me so mad.<br /><br />I'm on Biaxin and Omnicef right now. I've been having some scary symptoms with my heart. Biaxin is in the same family as Zithromax. And when on Zithromax I had occasionaly heart palps, chest pain, and uneasiness feeling in my chest. So maybe this is just not a good drug for me. I'm going to call my doctor about this because enough is enough. I'm sick of being scared. I can't do it anymore. I won't. I need to take my health into my own hands.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-85132187069317885932007-12-13T13:47:00.001-08:002007-12-13T13:58:59.326-08:00Scary Stuff!Tuesday night I had a very scary thing happen. We were at the gym and I was doing so good. Orginally I was just going to workout on the eliptical for 30 minutes, but I kept increasing the time. I figured I could do it for one hour, which is way longer than I usually do. My heart kept skipping beats, but I just ignored it. The flutterings only lasted a few moments, so I really wasn't that worried. <br /><br />I should of listened to my body and eased off, or stopped the eliptical all together. I was at 58 minutes- just 2 minutes away from my goal when my heart freaked out. I don't know how to explain it exactly. It started to beat erradically, almost like it wasn't fully beating, but vibrating in my chest. I was having trouble catching my breath and could feel my heart inside my throat. It was so scary. <br /><br />I immediately went downstairs to sit in the dressing room. After 5 minutes my heart was still doing this. I finally went and found Matt and told him what was going on. I decided to sit out in the car to see if it would go away. It didn't. <br /><br />This went on for nearly 4 hours. My chest was hurting so badly at one point I threw up. It's not often that I'm in bad enough pain to cause that to happen. I kept contimplating going to the ER. We were just about to get Holden up to go when the strangest thing happened- I got this really really bad pain in my chest and throat and my heart flip-flopped... then just like that it started beating normally. It as almost as if my heart shocked itself back into the right rhythm. <br /><br />I know this incident happened for a few reason. #1 I pushed myself WAY too hard. #2 I was dehydrated. I don't know why but I find it hard to drink that much. #3 I didn't get very much sleep the night before. And #4 Tuesday morning I started a new antibiotic (Biaxin). <br /><br />From now on I'm going to do just 30 min. increments at the gym. Like get on the eliptical for 30 minutes...then go do weights...then come back to the eliptical for 30 minutes. And I'm going to make sure my heart rate doesn't get up to high. Tuesday night it was at about 175 bpm, even going up as high as 180. That's really fast for a whole hour. <br /><br />We're going to the gym again tonight. I'm kind of scared I'll have another episode, but I've decided if I do, we will go straight to the ER.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-80680076926690583272007-12-09T21:06:00.001-08:002007-12-09T21:12:29.732-08:00FRUSTRATED!I'm trying to stay positive about everything. I really am, but it is getting hard. I still feel pretty much the same as I did when I was first diagnosed back in June. That is so disappointing. I take my meds regurarly and have even started exercising. <br /><br />Lyme Disease is a very confusing disease. There is no set treatment plan because every person is different. There are so many different combinations of medicines you can take. I guess I just haven't found the one that will make me better yet. I just am so confused... you have no idea. <br /><br />I'm also on the fence about my doctor. He is in Louisiana (10+ hours from where I live). My first visit with him back in August went so well. But since then things have gone down hill. First off I really don't like his office staff. They are cold and unsensitive. It's like talking to robots. When I call and leave a message no one ever calls me back. <br /><br />I have a phone consultation tomorrow. I'm really hoping everything goes well. <br /><br />I don't know what else to say. I had a lot on my mind, but I just feel so tired right now. I'm upset about so many things. I wish there was a magic wand that could make me better because I just don't know how to get better. What I am doing now is not working.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-41776218395049964192007-12-02T20:10:00.000-08:002007-12-02T20:14:02.353-08:00just an updateI'm just now getting over a cold I've had for about a week. It was kind of weird getting a cold because I haven't been sick like that in over a year. Yeah, no kidding. When you have Lyme Disease your immune system usually goes on overdrive so you usually don't get sick with other stuff. Maybe my immune system is becoming weaker. I don't know. <br /><br />All in all I'm feeling okay. Haven't been having any heart palps (knock on wood). Just been feeling normal for the most part with the occasional lightheadedness. I have a phone consulation with my doctor next Monday. <br /><br />Well that's about it, just thought I should update. <br /><br />Oh and just for my own personal note last Thursday (29th) I started taking 400 mg. of doxy. Before I found that hard to tolerate, but so far so good.:-)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-51650457243912904802007-11-11T21:23:00.000-08:002007-11-11T21:29:53.169-08:00Waiting to go to bed...Well I was laying in bed and it dawned on me that I forgot to take my medicine. I usually take it around 9. So I got up and took it... Unfortunately you have to wait 30 minutes before lying down. I don't know why exactly, but that's what the directions say. So I'm trying to pass time and thought I would update my blog.:-)<br /><br />Let's see...<br /><br />Not a lot of new stuff going on. I was hoping by now I would be feeling better. Last time I took doxy after only 2 weeks I was feeling significantly better. I still feel lightheaded a lot. I feel very tired almost like I'm in a fog. <br /><br />Oh well, I'm sure I will improve in time. It's just hard to be patient!!<br /><br />Another thing that has been on my mind are Christmas trees. We've always had a fake one. It's just easier that way. However I never really thought about ticks living in real Christmas trees. So anyone who reads my blog PLEASE take that into consideration when deciding on a real or artificial tree. I know the real trees are nice, but it's not really worth the risk in my opinion.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-29926209570126441012007-10-23T20:38:00.000-07:002007-10-23T20:50:18.327-07:00Had an appointment last week.It took awhile for me to get on here and talk about it. Just been busy and tired, mostly tired. Well the appointment was somewhat of a disappointment. First of all I get to Louisiana and find out that my doctor is not there. This was my nightmare come true. I had thought a time or two before that it sure would suck if I went all that way and my doctor wasn't there. <br /><br />I had the choice of seeing his assitance or rescheduling. Since we didn't have much time to burn and the receptionist wasn't even sure if he'd be there the next day, I reluctantly agreed to see the assistant.<br /><br />Now if that wasn't bad enough we waited and waited and waited some more. Seriously we spent well over 3 hours waiting. The assistant was nice enough and seemeed to know a lot about Lyme Disease, but still it wasn't the same as seeing the doctor. Plus he only talked to me for about, umm, 15 minutes or so. That's a heck of a way to come, not to mention the waiting time, for 15 measley minutes. So I was a little peeved, to say the least.<br /><br />The assistant switched me back to what I was on before... the combo my doctor here where I live had put me on. I'm happy about that but a little irritated at the same time. So basically I might of let 2 months of treatment go down the drain. I was feeling great on the doxycycline before, but when I went to the Lousiana doctor I was switched to some different meds to target Babesia. (Which I'm not even sure I have.) So for all I know I just have Lyme Disease and let 2 months go by, since we were focusing on Babesia. Ughhhh! That's is complicated to explain so sorry if it doesn't make sense.<br /><br />This weekend I thought a lot about if I wanted to go back to this doctor. I decided to give him another chance. I feel if I just saw the dr. where I live I would have to be my own doctor. The doctor here knows some about Lyme Disease (which is more than I can say about most doctors), but he's not that experienced. I have more confidence in the LA doctor. This experience last time was TOTALLY different from my first appointment in LA. <br /><br />Last time:<br />My doctor was here<br />He made me feel hopeful<br />seemed very condident that I would be completely normal again<br />he even talked about me having more kids (if I wanted) in the near future<br />plus he has/had lyme disease so he can relate<br /><br />So I think I will stick with him, for now.<br /><br /><br />So it's been about a week on Doxycycline and Flagyl combo. I feel very sore which is a good sign. It means that the bacteria is being killed off and toxins are being released, thus I'm feeling sore, more tired, ect. It's kind of like when you're pregnant and the nauseous feeling is somewhat reassuring because it means the baby is thriving. So it's not a lot of fun, but it is a good thing.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-71895127218416167882007-10-02T20:55:00.000-07:002007-10-02T20:56:36.106-07:00slacking BIG timeI can't believe I failed to mention Holden's test results came back!!!! I'm sure you can guess by my exclamation marks that it was NEGATIVE!!! Yay.. I'm BEYOND relieved.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-26694029189253415112007-09-23T09:13:00.000-07:002007-09-23T09:17:57.621-07:00Quick UpdateI'm doing <em>okay</em>. I'm taking my antibiotics and tolerating them pretty well! I've noticed my achiness getting a little more painful. First thing in the morning it's the worst. I have b-12 injections that are supposed to make that better, but I'm such a chicken about doing that! I need to get Matt to give me an injection today. Last time he did it (which was over a month ago) it hurt soooooooo bad. I don't know if he hit a muscle or what, but it was painful. Prior to that it had never hurt, so that kind of freaked me out. We still haven't gotten Holden's test result. I'm hoping we'll know by early next week. I'm so anxious about that, but I try not to think about it. My birthday is Wednesday, so I'm hoping I know before then.... and hoping that it comes out NEGATIVE. That would make my day, week, year!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-48854233254363727382007-09-15T17:43:00.001-07:002007-09-15T17:52:37.869-07:00Down in the DumpsI feel very depressed today. I started back up on my antibiotics today and I feel horrible. I guess that is a good thing, but right now I feel sad. I have no energy and I feel terribly nauseous. I'm so sick of feeling wiped out. I just want to feel normal. I feel soooooooo bad for Holden. I can't even hardly play with him. I am just so tired. I've been sleeping in so late in the morning. This morning I didn't get up until 10:30!! Yikes. <br /><br />I'm sure this depression will pass soon. I just felt like writing about it because it seems to help when I put my feelings into words. I know things could be worse and that thought really keeps my head up. I read about a boy named Dustin who had lyme disease. It was so debilitating (sp?) that he had to stop going to school and be home schooled. He was 8 when that happened and he is now 11. I can't imagine how hard that would be. I try to think about him when I'm feeling down. His Mom posted on a message board I go to. She said that he never feels sorry for himself and that he doesn't get discouraged. He just keeps on going, keeping his head up. I admire that and strive to be more like him. Here is Dustin's website <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dustineckert">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dustineckert.</a>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7569858951803076826.post-50136813985201475752007-09-12T20:53:00.000-07:002007-09-12T21:01:16.027-07:00Back at Square One...That's kind of how I feel. Since Friday I've been having unsettling, scary symptoms with my heart. Sunday and Monday night it was so bad I only got about 4 hours of sleep.<br /><br />So I called my doctor yesterday and he said stop the antibiotics for a few days. I hate doing that, but I guess I have to. I've been off of them for about a day and can already notice a difference. I feel very lightheaded and am having some serious vertigo.<br /><br />I had an appointment with my local doctor today. It went well. I told him what was going on with my other doctor and thankfully he agreed with pretty much everything he is doing. I'm glad to have them on the same page. <br /><br />I'm going to start back up on the antibiotics on Friday. Plus I'm going to buy some natural herbs called <a href="http://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james26.htm">Samento</a> and <a href="http://www.bionatus.com/nutramedix/pages/cumanda_what.htm">Cumanda</a>. They are supposed to be "natural antibiotics". Can't hurt, right? <br /><br />My dr. told me to take benadryl and large doses of vitamin C and it should help make me feel better. It definitely has helped with the sleeping department. Last night I fell asleep quickly and slept all through the night!! It was nice.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04798053175448602743noreply@blogger.com1