Borrelia

[Daffodil]

Hi everyone. I realize there are a million lyme forums to post this question but my fog is horrible today so I am asking here.

My doctor found Borrelia in me using the ELISPOT test. I started antibiotics about 2 months ago but I think I am "herxing" only now. Is this possible? I notice a definite worsening the last couple of days, in a way that is different than usual.

I also had high Bartonella IgG antibodies. I am on a lower dose of the antibiotics I think, because my inflammation in general is very high.

Thanks
Sue

 

[Ema]

I think it is possible, yes. Herxing involves a response from the immune system so if you've had it for a while, it may have taken some time for your system to ramp up again to mount a response.

Try drinking some Vit C (I really like the Thorne powdered buffered C) and taking epsom salt baths to help with the symptoms.

 

[Daffodil]

Thanks!

i dont know how i can have lyme...i never really had joint pain or headaches ( a lot of fog but not real headaches )....there are certain things one has with bacterial infections, which i never had.

even my old specialist said my issue does not seem bacterial

i dont get it.

 

[aquariusgirl]

Who diagnosed u?

 

[vamah]

Sometimes the first symptoms of chronic lyme are only neurologic. You could have had a tick bite years ago and not realized what it was. It is good if you are catching it before you have physical symptoms. Take your antibiotics and keep taking them for a long time. False positives for lyme are fairly rare.

 

[vamah]

What antibiotic are you on?

 

[Lala]

Some strains cause more neurological symptoms and some cause more joint symptoms. I also have predominantly neurological symptoms, this is common especially with bartonella in mix, which I also own.

 

[Daffodil]

thanks guys. i am on rifampin and clarithromycin. i've had CFS for over 20 yrs after mono

 

[Katherine]

My Elisa and PCR tests for Borrelia are negative but Prof. De Meirleir still thinks it is likely I have chronic Borreliosis. I'm having the Elispot LTT test but really not convinced about the current diagnosis.

 

[acer2000]

I'm curious, what is the reliability of the Elispot LTT test?

 

[Ema]

thanks guys. i am on rifampin and clarithromycin. i've had CFS for over 20 yrs after mono

Rifampin changes your cortisol metabolism. It was this antibiotic that was how a friend of mine got diagnosed with AI as her body was unable to keep up with increased cortisol metabolism caused by the drug.

If the symptoms seem like low cortisol,this might be the reason rather than a herx.

Ema

 

[Katherine]

Here is an excellent article posted by former member 'Ai-Yai' - http://www.aldf.com/pdf/Halperin_Book_Chapter_17.pdf
It's a must-read for anyone contemplating a Lyme diagnosis.

 

[Ema]

I would only use that Halperin article to line my birdcage.

It's fine to say that more research is needed (because it is) but to say that the current guidelines provide perfectly acceptable standards of care is ridiculous and has been well argued elsewhere so no need to do it again here.

Ema

 

[Lala]

Rifampin changes your cortisol metabolism. It was this antibiotic that was how a friend of mine got diagnosed with AI as her body was unable to keep up with increased cortisol metabolism caused by the drug.

If the symptoms seem like low cortisol,this might be the reason rather than a herx.

Ema

What is AI diagnosis?

 

[Lala]

I'm curious, what is the reliability of the Elispot LTT test?

Both sensitivity and specificity of LTT is very high. see http://www.infectolab.de/index.php?id=51&L=1

 

[Ema]

What is AI diagnosis?

Adrenal insufficiency.

 

[Katherine]

I would only use that Halperin article to line my birdcage.

It's fine to say that more research is needed (because it is) but to say that the current guidelines provide perfectly acceptable standards of care is ridiculous and has been well argued elsewhere so no need to do it again here. Ema

It's a very interesting article but your opinion differs - that's fine. I wasn't specifically inviting people to debate that, but anyone with an opinion is free to state it It's posted for anyone who wants to read it.

 

[Ema]

It's a very interesting article but your opinion differs - that's fine. I wasn't specifically inviting people to debate that, but anyone with an opinion is free to state it It's posted for anyone who wants to read it.

Interesting is not the word I use when people disregard illness and suffering and call it "science" as a defense.

I personally call it criminal.

Ema

 

[Daffodil]

thanks. all. I had my cortisol tested in 2008 and it was normal. I cannot remember the name of the test...cortisol stimulation maybe..i don't know.

ugh. so tired of being sick

 

[Lala]

Adrenal insufficiency.

How was your friend treated? Has she/he recovered? Is AI the same as adrenal fatigue?
Sorry for so many question, but I am on the rifampin myself (longterm) and wonder if some of my symptoms could be assigned to AI.