Hi, I am New

I am Sommer Nielsen, I am from Lake of the Ozarks, MO and I was diagnosed with Lyme about 2 years ago.

I currently work as an Admin at a Real Estate co. about 2 days per week, sometimes more. My worst symptoms are fatigue, anxiety and brain fog. The brain fog seems to have gotten worse, sometimes I wonder if it will ever improve! I was on antibiotics for about 6 months until I decided they weren't helping me enough, so I am on the alternative "path" for now. I have improved significantly doing some alternative therapies, but I am definitely not out of the woods yet. I hope to meet some ppl here to get to know and relate with, so please don't hesitate to send me a message.

Like you I was on abx for months and they did NOTHING whatsoever for me...Plus I'm allergic to 99% of them...

So tomorrow I start the "Natural Route" hoping it will work.

I was doing really good up until 2 weeks ago when everything returned..Neck pain, both knees, flu, all of it...NOT HAPPY...So tomorrow will be the beginning of a new path for me....

I did try the cats claw, well that made me sick with just 1/2 pill, so I'm hoping I can take what he gives me...He did say he will start out slow because of all my allergies...

I hope you well

Julie

I was 'attacked' by an invisible or should I say unnoticeable tick back in July 2006, finally found a Dr to agree to treat me based on symptoms alone 16 months later and last week went to a clinic in WI that specializes in treating difficult cases (mine is complicated by late treatment AND steriods for bronchitis) of LD. So I am embarking on a course of three different abx as well as natural supplements. So far my only side effect is a return of some of the more annoying symptoms from before I was treated which from my understanding seems to mean that things are working as expected? The Dr who came up with this plan of action is not proclaiming guaranteed cure but I'm hell-bent on following his plan down to the last detail in the hope that he knows more than the endless stream of guessing Dr's I saw in the first 16 months of this unfortunate encounter with a tick.

So I guess my advice is to NOT give up or settle for what the average run of the mill guessing Dr comes up with. If you want more info on the clinic I went to for this more agressive treatment, let me know.

I'll be sending positive thoughts that all of us will beat this thing or at least get it under control to the point that we can get back a reasonable semblance of what our lives were like pre-LD

Can I ask what clinic in WI...My doctor wanted to send me to Marshfield in WI...You can PM me with the information if you want or just post it..I live in Lake Villa, IL on the border of WI...Grew up in Rice Lake WI...

I was bit in July 07 the day was July 22nd...My life has been a living H*$$ since...My family doctor is good, but has no idea what to do anymore...

Thanks much

Julie

Grammy, also interested in what clinic you're going to. Mine is a compicated case too....20 years infected, unkowingly, had 12 shots of steroids into my spine to help with pain last year, it's disseminated dormant viruses now...meaning, they are awake and not happy. I'm not showing outward signs of them, which means they are attacking inside....real nice.

Thank-you for the post and your information. The doc who diagnosed me is Lyme Literate and I am beyond thankful that I didn't have to go to those run of the mill guessing Dr's before I came to a LLMD. I would like to know who you are seeing just because it never hurts to have too much info about current Lyme treatments. You can PM me or just post.

Thank-you for the positive thoughts that all of us will beat this thing or at least get it under control... I am with you on that!

Post edited by: sn77, at: 04/02/2008 16:33

Thank-you for the reply. I know what it is like to improve, but then have everything return, it is one of the hardest parts for me, getting my hopes up. If you ever feel like talking just PM me anytime.

I hope you well too,

Sommer

Post edited by: sn77, at: 04/02/2008 16:33

I went to Fox Valley Wellness Center in Fond du Lac, WI. http://www.foxvalleywellness.com/faq.cfm I was impressed with the thoroughness of Dr. Meress's assessment of my history with LD, but also with his very careful explanation of his plan for a course of treatment, why each step of it needed to be done and what to expect. I was also given a great deal of literature, some of it the same as things I'd found on my own online but some new. Since this clinic is a combination of traditional medicine and holistic medicine, they also tested me for things that I would never have thought made any difference in life such as iodine and zinc deficiency...interesting results and at this point I feel 'what do I have to lose' by following their recommendations.

I guess, having been very fortunate in having been extremely healthy all of my life until this LD started, it does seem pretty scary to be on mega doses of antibiotics. But being determined to do anything possible to beat this or at least make it livable, I'm willing to tackle whatever it takes.

I did see a Dr at a branch of Marshfield Clinic who did agree to treat me back in December with what he considered to be the maximum dose of Amoxicillin which is half the dosage I'm on now. He also prescribed only one month's worth and I had to call for refills or he would have considered it treated if I hadn't.

Hope this helps.

Yvonne (Grammy, courtesy of my wonderful 14 year old grandson, Cody)

I'm sorry to hear what a nightmare you've been through! It was truly shocking to me to discover the havoc steroids wreak on people. The worst part for me was that while I was on them I couldn't tell if I the bronchitis and sinusitis was going away or not. Now that I think back on the whole fiasco a year ago, I finally did improve after I finished the steroids and was on a second course of antibiotics. I'd definitely warn anyone being prescribed steroids to find out absolutely everything possible about their condition before taking them.

I was so impressed with this LLMD that after the endless parade of so called 'experts' I went to over the last year and a half that I'd recommend him to anyone.

Sending tons of positive thoughts your way!

Yvonne