Since 2/26/07 I have had constant headaches, joint pain/soreness, muscle soreness, and extreme fatigue. Doing anything makes me feel worse, and I've been trying to fight the pain and go to work, but I've called out more than I've been in - I haven't worked a full week or a full day since 2/26. My brain feels sluggish and I haven't had the best memory.

My current doctor thinks it might be New Daily Persistant Headaches, but a family friend who had Lyme disease and my parents think it's Lyme. I haven't had a rash, but I know that's not always a factor. I have had my blood tested twice, and both times it came out negative.

Out of the 3 doctor's I've seen so far, they have all said that Lyme disease is the 'in' disease, and everyone is quick to diagnose it. Therefore, they have all blown off my concerns, saying the blood test is accurate (which I've heard it's not), and while everyone's quick to think it's Lyme, it's not, and I'd be wasting my time to pursue it further.

Has anyone run into this? Am I right to have my concerns about it being Lyme?

First of all, it's New Daily Persistent Headache ONLY if it doesn't go away at all. If you have a headache that does go away, and then returns sometime later, it's not NDPH.

Second, what kind of Lyme tests did you have? I don't know if you're aware, but the "traditional", mainstream tests are not reliable, and they can turn out false negative. This is why Lyme can go on undetected for years, until sometimes it's too late... Do you recall being bitten by a tick?

Yes, I think your concern is perfectly legitimate - and I hope from all my heart it turns out to be just that - a concern.

I can't think of one person with lyme that HASN'T gone through the nonsense you've been fed by these doc's. Most are woefully ignorant of this disease. The following link will take you to the most accurate lab in the country for detecting lyme. They'll send you the kit and instructions. www.igenex.com

Any multi-symptom disorder can be lyme. Lyme can percolate for years coming out one symptom at a time or with a bang.

Seeing an LLMD and having an reliable blood test sent to Igenex for LD and the co-infections wouldn't hurt.

In my LLMD's opinion, we all have been bitten and the CDC recently announced that 20,000 cases of LD were reported last year BUT they believe 200,000 went unreported/undiagnosed.

Lyme is common, period. It is a bug bite, the fastest growin infectious disease in the U.S. and number one Vector borne disease.

Get tested and not through a commercial lab, as they are highly unreliable.

Take care.

yes you probably HAVE lyme,,tests are full of holes,,,most only test for one or two strains out of like 100 or so. AND most are done incorrectly anyway. They KNOW they are going to be negative before they send them,,they KNOW all tests are negative!!

Dont fall for that crap. Go see a GOOD LLMD,,, one of Illads affliation.

Your symptoms scream lyme to me,,,a non doctor and your advice costs more than its worth,,,but IF your sick your sick,,,you have NEVER faked it before right???,,,why start NOW???

Get treated, get started and get your LIFE back!!!opinions of --just don--

I have my oldest granddaughter whose name is Ali. Its like talking to HER!!!

We're working towards finding a good LLMD in my area so I can be properly tested. I don't recall being bitten by a tick, but then again I'm not the most observant person... I'll often wonder where my bruises come from!

Again, thank you ALL for your comments. It's nice knowing that even though every doctor I've been to thinks I'm crazy, and I don't have Lyme because 'everyone thinks it's Lyme' (even though every other test they've given me for what they think it might be has come back negative!), you guys... people who have been there and know what I'm going though!.. don't. I'm not giving up and I'm realizing now what a fight it is, and I think it's really sad that the people who have Lyme have to fight like this to be recognized that they're sick!

I had a bullseye rash in '97 and have all the "right" symptoms, but my IgeneX tests were "inconclusive." But LLMDs can use other tests (like the CD57) to help determine what is going on. It's great that you had someone who could tell you that you might have Lyme, and that you are checking into it. I wish that I had done more research earlier. Good luck!!!