Lyme Disease Support Group

Hi all. I consider myself pretty lucky because I know so many are much worse off with their lyme. But of course Id like to be as healthy as I can and maybe some of you can fill me in on some things.

To recap my intro, I contracted lymes twice, in 04 and 05, knocked it out right away with antibiotics, but of course took quite awhile (about 8 months) to regain most my strength.

I have convinced myself I no longer have it actively, only some after effects. But I wonder about that. I just had a blood work-up (self-prescribed) and my WBC and neutrophils are borderline low (WBC--1500). MCV/MCH/MCHC borderline high. other blood components test OK, but RBC and platelets in low end of normal.

7 months ago my WBC was low but not quite so low, 1800. RBC and platelets also higher 7 months ago.

To keep this short, my main question is, "can WBC be low without an actual current or chronic infection?" And if there might be an infection, what kind of test is best at this stage?

Thanks!

also, I eat very healthy (organic) and am very fit and active. But I do get the afternoon slump, worse than I did before the lymes. Also pre-lymes had mild sciatica, but post-lymes much more problematic. Pre-lymes, not so good memory, post lymes, seemingly worse and struggle with complex technical problmes (which is my profession to do so).

Like some have suggested, lymes makes you feel older. Ive often said I feel like it aged me at least 5 years mentally. but I just am not sure how much of my symptoms are lyme-related or just natural aging.

Post edited by: INTPguy, at: 06/09/2008 01:34

I personally believe the Lyme can leave permanent damage to the brain including memory and motorskills. Another thing to consider is that you are older now and some of these things you are experiencing may be a combination of just getting older and your body aging harder because of the disease it has just been through.

I need to correct my original post--my liver enzymes are not high, MCV/MCH/MCHC are high. Liver enzymes were high during acute lymes.

After some reading, the most simplest explanation other than what accalea says is B12 deficiency, with zinc and thyroid deficiency also possibility. I'll re-test in a couple weeks of taking B12.

Some sources suggest that neurotoxins left behind by the lyme might not get eliminated and that may be a reason for continued low-level symptoms such as mine.