It doesn't sound like you got a Lyme specialist. I understand that money is an issue, but many do take insurance. Please let me know if you need help finding one.

I have not heard of an energy surge after blood being drawn. I do know that anemia is another Lyme symptom (in response to your sluggishness). It also has an effect on thyroid.

What made you suspect Lyme? You probably know that the tests are not very reliable, so it is a clinical diagnosis. I had a bullseye rash but was not treated at the time. Years later, my symptoms developed and it was years before I finally realized what it was. But I even had an LLMD send my blood to Igenex, and the results were negative. But to a good LLMD, it is a positive test because of the positive Lyme bands. This is why, if you suspect Lyme, you need to see a Lyme Literate doctor (LLMD) that uses a lab that has the necessary specificity and sensitivity, like the IgeneX Western Blot.

Please let us know if you have any questions, need any help, just want to chat.

Anyway, I have been somewhat weak and tired easily for years, but always just thought it was anemia, took iron, and went on with life. However, since the beginning of this year, I've just been getting worse and nothing I did helped. A friend suggested Lyme and I went home and looked it up. The first picture of a rash that I found looked identical to a rash I had about 11 years ago. However, we didn't think it was distinct enough of a bullseye, but my mom did take a picture of it as it was strange enough to catch our attention. Of course we didn't know much more about Lyme at the time other than that it existed. We expected something to happen right away, and the slow onset made me forget all about it (I even threw the picture out 5 years ago.) I probably did start having symptoms right away, but I got married shortly thereafter and chalked everything up to hormones and anemia.

I also found a Lyme symptom checklist and I had about 35 of the 40 symptoms (and at least 2 that I didn't have were male specific.) Some of them were odd ones too, that I would never have thought to connect (like the swelling and itching of the balls of my feet.)

Anyway, I guess I just have to wait. The fatigue and muscle aches are hard to deal with, but I think the anxiety attacks are the worst symptoms I have.

Thanks,

Crystal