Living through Chemistry

Living through Chemistry is better than Not living at all

During the course of over six years, I was prescribed numerous medications as well as suggested supplements to ease my burden.  We wasted thousands of dollars on medications, doctor visits, and tests that were useless due to the fact all the doctors I was seeing  knew little to nothing about Lyme Disease and Co-Infections.

From the years 2004 to 2009, a well-respected rheumatologist was treating me for what he thought was Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome, both assumed to have been “triggered” from the Lyme Disease in 2004.  He  had prescribed the majority of the medications.  The medications were merely putting a band-aide on my symptoms as well as causing some dangerous side effects.

I was on Mirapex for over a year.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  My pain slowly subsided and I was getting back to my old self again.  I was doing things I loved and finding many other interests!  However, I found I wasn’t sleeping much.  My mind was constantly whirling with thoughts of what I would do the next day.  Then, up before the crack of dawn and go, go, go. I would re-arrange rooms in the house only to find they ‘just weren’t right’ and re-arrange them the next day, moving all the furniture, pictures, etc.  I would go on shopping sprees and treasure hunts for big bargains.  I found myself enjoying scratch off lottery cards and the local casino.   Shortly after a year of being on Mirapex, my husband and I were watching television late at night.  A commercial came on.  It was a Mirapex commercial.  I said, “Hey, that’s the medication I am on.”  At the end of the commercial, in a very quick speaking, quiet voice we heard,  “Recently, serious side effects of obsessive compulsive disorder have been found.  If you experience excessive shopping, gambling, alcohol abusive,etc….Please notify your doctor immediately.”   Oh my gosh.  That was me.  My husband, Vince, and I looked at each other.  Well, there’s another medication down the drain!  Vince and I discussed the past year while on Mirapex finding that “YES” I was indeed experiencing OCD.  I immediately researched Mirapex on the internet.  I was amazed at what came up!  “Mirapex serious side effects!- People going bankrupt because of uncontrollable spending, gambling, etc. while taking Mirapex.”  The information was scary, but a wake up call indeed.  I called my rheumatologist the following morning notifying him that I would no longer be on that medication.  Mirapex is a dopamine agonist. It works by acting in place of dopamine, a natural substance in the brain that is needed to control movement.  Thank God, we saw that commercial.

My body quickly went back to being in constant pain. I continued on a low dose of anti depressant.  The anti depressant was supposed to help with the pain.  Honestly, for me, it did nothing for the pain.   I was then put on Lyrica.  Then Cymbalta.  Followed by Savella.  The list goes on. All  causing some sort of dangerous side effect and doing nothing to diminish the pain.

I decided to go off all my medications, including the anti depressant.  I was going to ‘cleanse’ my body for 3 months, and then see another doctor.  After the 3 months was up, I was a wreck.  Severe depression and horrific pain. However,  I was looking forward to visit with a new doctor.  I had heard positive things about her.  At first, I liked her.  I thought she was fairly thorough in her exams and questioning and discussions.   She encouraged me to go back on the anti depressant.  I was thankful she did.  Four weeks later, my mental health was a little bit better.  I saw her quite often.  Each time she would order more blood work.  Results came back as being low in potassium, magnesium, B12 and I was anemic- ALL SIGNS OF LYME DISEASE!  She tried to give me “Pep Talks” saying, “Debbie, you can not let Fybromyalgia run your life.”  Deep inside I could hear myself saying back to her…. “Easy for you to say,  you have no idea what I am dealing with here…and by the way I do  not believe it is simply Fybromyalgia!”  Finally, when my knowledge about Lyme Disease was spoken, she shut me out completely.  A blessing in disguise.  I mentioned this doctor in another post.  She is the doctor who told me, “You can’t have Lyme Disease, you live in Wisconsin.”   “Bye Bye” to yet another doctor.

In early summer of 2010, while I was on a waiting list to see the “Best of the Best” lyme docs in Wisconsin, I knew it was important for me to prepare my body for what was to come.  My immune system was very weak.  According to blood results, I was deficient in many things.  It was pertinent to get my ‘gut’ ready for the heavy-duty medications I would be put on to kill off the bacteria, therefore, probiotics were in order.  I researched, read books, and asked a lot of questions on internet forums and support groups for Lyme Disease.

To start off, I began taking Acidophilus, a probiotic.  This was to replenish the good bacteria in my intestinal tract.   I started taking prenatal vitamins.  I found the prenatal vitamins much easier on my stomach.  I also started increasing my daily doses of vitamin C and Magnesium and Alpha Lipoic Acid.  I drank aloe vera juice and olive leaf extract.  I was and still am a fan of Super Seed Beyond Fiber that not only helps the digestive system, but also has the important Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

In August, 2010, my new treatment plan with antibiotics for Chronic Lyme Disease began.  My doctor, Dr. ‘H,’ told me up front, “I will treat you like no other person.  That is because every BODY is different.  Every person responds differently to Chronic Lyme Disease and Co-Infections.  Your case is unique just as all lyme cases are unique.  Every person responds differently to medications.  We will work together to find what works best for YOU!  We will be switching medications throughout your treatment, using different ones to attack different issues.”   I asked, “Am I ever going to be cured?” ….. there was a pause.  Then he responded, “I will treat you for as long as need be to get rid of this disease.”  There was a sense of comfort knowing I wasn’t talking to another doctor who thought it was “All in My Head.”  However, there was also a sense of uncertainty.  Will I ever be cured?

For the first six weeks I was on the following treatment:

Clarithromyc – low dose of antibiotics working towards higher dosage. Daily

Nystatin– For yeast control. Daily

Nexium– To protect my stomach. Daily

Fluoxetine- Anti Depressant. Daily

Acidophilus- Daily (Quickly changed to a HIGH Potency Probiotic)

Cyclobenzaprine – For Muscle Spasms. As needed

Butal/APAP/CAF – For Migraines.  As needed

I altered some of my vitamins and supplements following Dr. Burrascano’s Guidelines.

Ester C – 3000mg  Daily.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – 600mg Daily.

Magnesium (Triple Magnesium Complex) 800mg Daily.

Essential Fatty Acids- I get through the Super Seed Beyond Fiber- Daily.

Prenatal Vitamin– Daily.

Vitamin D– now on a RX maintenance once a month.

After starting a low dose of antibiotics,  my belly quickly expanded to the size of a 6 month pregnancy.  I called my lyme doctor and mentioned my problem.  He asked if I was taking a probiotic.  I answered, “Yes” explaining  it was Acidophilus. He said my body was susceptible to yeast and with the antibiotics, I will need a much stronger probiotic, a HIGH Potency Probiotic.  My intestines had quickly filled up with yeast.  Off the antibiotics I went and onto an anti fungal until the yeast subsided.  I also started taking a stronger high potency probiotic.  I cut out all sugar from my diet and started a VERY LOW carb, lean, high protein diet with as many fresh vegetables I could eat!  NO ALCOHOL.  A lot of water and green tea.

On the morning of September 13, 2010, I could not believe my eyes.  What I thought to be another tiny freckle on my ankle the night before, was now an engorged deer tick.  My blurry eyes and shaky hands properly removed it, however, it fell to the ground.  I was upset with myself for not having a towel or sheet of sorts underneath my ankle while removing it.  I could not find the tick.  Within hours, the tick bite produced a bull’s eye rash.  I DID however, take a picture of the tick bite and rash.  I called my doctor.  He assured me I would be ok.  I was already on treatment for Lyme Disease.

Less than six weeks into treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease, I found another deer tick embedded in my ankle. Within hours after removing the tick, my ankle swelled up producing a bull's eye rash.

Later in September, 2010, I went back to see my Lyme Doctor.   My headaches were much worse.  The longest one lasting for 10 days.  I had experienced such severe migraines that my eyes would swell shut.  I broke out in small rashes on various parts of my body.   My fevers continued, mostly at night.  Sore throat and swollen glands, with drainage coming from the lymph nodes.  I was very dizzy.  I was experiencing, “HERXING,” a die off of the toxins and spirochetes in my body.  I was not alarmed.  I was familiar with this because of my treatment in 2004.  During treatment, I knew I would get much more sick before I got better. The treatment was indeed working, but we had a long road ahead.  My medications were somewhat altered.  The clarithromyc dosage was increased.  For the neck spasms traveling up into my head causing migraines I was put on a ‘cocktail’ of Diazepam and Buta/APAP/CAF- which finally provided some relief!

Over the past five months, my medications changed as my symptoms changed.  We found that as the lyme disease (spirochetes) were dying off, other symptoms were coming out stronger.  These are the co-infections that were NEVER addressed in my first round of treatment in 2004.

In November 2010, I was experiencing the following symptoms:  Blurry vision, shortness of breath, anxiety and panic attacks, extreme fatigue, coughing, night-time and early morning fevers, occasional lower pelvic pain, vomiting, ringing in my ears, short-term memory loss, very painful bones and joints, neck stiffness and migraines, and DEEP muscle pain in the larger muscles.  I had lost 14 pounds since I started treatment.  A positive sign.  Doc ‘H,’ believed we were also dealing with at least two co-infections;  Babesiosis and Bartonella.  However, he believed the route we should take is eliminate the Lyme spirochetes as best we can, then start attacking the co-infections.

Treatment changes:

Doxycycline – Daily.

Clarithromyc– Daily.

Zofran– For nausea and vomiting as needed

The end of December 2010, we started to attack one of the co-infections, Bartonella.  We knew the Lyme Disease was not completely out of my system, however, the treatment was indeed working.  The Bartonella was the strongest co-infection at this time that was ‘breaking through’ and showing its true colors.

Treatment changes:

Riphamin – Daily.

Doxycycline– Daily.

No more Clarithromyc

Mid January 2011.  I continued having the previous symptoms, however, new ones were developing as well.  Small, streak-like rashes were on my arms.  They would come and go without warning.  I was experiencing chest pain.  My right side was having bouts of numbness making it difficult to drive and/or walk.  My weight loss was now 20 pounds.   My call into Doc ‘H,’ confirmed that we were definitely dealing with co-infections now.  He reminded me that my health didn’t become “CHRONIC” overnight.  We have only just begun this part of the journey.  If it would have been diagnosed and treated properly in 2004, chances are,  I wouldn’t be dealing with it now.

The majority of the daily medications I have to take at this time... all because the medical community wouldn't listen the first time around in 2004.

Stirring up the Spirochetes

From late August 2004 to March 2009, I was unsuccessful at finding a doctor to treat me for Lyme Disease.  The doctors I saw treated me for many things they thought were ‘possible’ culprits for my health issues, but never would they listen to what I had to say about my suspicion of still having Lyme Disease.

In March, 2009, I was experiencing some unusual menstrual bleeding.  Six weeks of on and off heavy bleeding, dizziness and headaches.  One day, the bleeding was so heavy, I left work and went straight to the Emergency Room.  It was there they found, by using an ultrasound, a fybroid tumor.  It was necessary to have it removed as soon as possible.  Three days later, I was admitted into the hospital for a hysterectomy.  The surgery was to be done using the Da Vinci Robotic procedure.  Laparoscopically done, the surgery would  only take 45 minutes with my hospital stay being no longer than 2 nights.  In two weeks I should be feeling ‘normal’ again.  There were a few complications during the surgery, but nothing life threatening.  The fybroid tumor was attached to my uterus as well as the scar tissue from the 2 C-sections I had, causing the removal of the tumor and uterus to be more complicated.

The Fybroid Tumor they removed from my abdomen in March 2009.

My hospital stay was longer than any of us expected.  I was experiencing terrible pain all over my body.  The heavy pain medications they had me on were not helping.   They ran numerous tests.  I saw and spoke to many specialists.  Some thought it might be CMV infection.  I was ‘quarantined’ until tests proved negative.  One specialist determined I had Pacreatic Divisum, a common congenital anomaly of the pancreatic ducts.  I was scoped and prodded, but no definitive answers to my horrific pain.  After a week in the hospital, they sent me home with no answers….only pain medication and a catheter.

I was home for three days, then returned back to the hospital because the pain was unmanageable.  They continued more tests, but found nothing.  They suggested more tests on the pancreas and a possible surgery to fix my pancreatic ducts.  However, I didn’t believe that was the source of my problems.  I weaned myself off the pain medication and tried my best to get on with my life.

I was now unable to work.  Even months after surgery, my overall body pain was so severe at times, I could not get out of bed.  I found myself overly exhausted, needing to sleep through most of the day and then back to bed early in the evening.  I thought my symptoms were bad before surgery, from 2004-2009, now they were much, much worse.  I was experiencing piercing headaches and neck pain.  My entire body hurt, even my skin.  Clothes that rubbed against my skin were unbearable.  I could no longer wear jewelry because my skin was so sensitive to anything touching it.  What was happening???

We continued our research.

Lyme Spirochetes with their 'corkscrew' bodies screw themselves into body tissue and organs.

Trauma to the body, whether it be physical or stress related, can cause the lyme spirochetes,which were once lying dormant in the body,  to come out of ‘remission.’   My hysterectomy had ‘stirred up my spirochetes’ that had been happily hiding in my body all those years.  The surgery forced them out of tissues, organs, etc. now ‘spiraling’ the cork screw bodies all around MY insides.  THAT is why I was in so much pain after my surgery.  There was a WAR going on inside me that only a lyme literate doctor or lyme literate person could understand.  Yet, even though I had the knowledge about lyme disease,  I was still unable to find a doctor to treat me.

The two months following my hysterectomy I put on 20 pounds.  I didn’t eat much.  I was, for the most part, a healthy eater.  I tried to walk as much as possible.  I continued working out in the yard and gardens when I was feeling up to it.  But, still, the weight came on….and FAST!  I was also experiencing many side effects, such as high blood pressure,  from the medication I was taking for what one of my doctors thought was Fybromyalgia.

I was referred to yet another doctor.  I liked her at first.  She took her time, listened to me and seemed proactive when it came to my health.  However, after several visits with her I mentioned again, my concerns of still having Lyme Disease.  She was busy writing things down in her notes and said, “You can’t have Lyme Disease.  You live in Wisconsin.”  That baffled me.  I can’t have Lyme Disease because I live in Wisconsin?  What?   I started mentioning all the things I knew about Lyme Disease.  She didn’t seem interested.  This was an all too familiar situation to me… a  doctor ‘blind’ to Lyme Disease.  I then told her that I was going to see a doctor in Waupaca to discuss Lyme Disease with him.  She seemed upset, saying, “If you want a lyme blood test, I will order one for you, but I don’t think  you have lyme disease.  Besides, you were treated back in 2004 for it.  You can’t have it anymore.”  I told her the blood test wasn’t necessary.  Blood tests for lyme disease are unreliable.  I went on with my ‘lyme knowledge,’ speaking to yet another  doctor ‘blind’ to lyme disease.  I haven’t been back to see her.  However, I plan on writing to her, along with all the other doctors who ‘treated’ me.  A letter, not of judgement or anger, but one explaining my chronic lyme journey and pleading to them that they become more educated in the World of Lyme.

"You can't have Lyme Disease. You live in Wisconsin!" Those are the words one of my doctors told me. It's long overdue that our medical community educate themselves on lyme disease!

Many people are dying from this epidemic.  I am not ready to be one of them. I have too much to live for.

I have too much to live for to give up!

Dr. ‘B’s’ list of symptoms and all my “YESES!”

I received the following information from Dr. Burrascano’s website.  It was also brought to my attention from other Lymies as well as my new Lyme Literate Doctor.  It is so comforting to know I am not crazy!

Dr. Burrascano is considered to be a HERO in the world of Lyme disease.  Below is a list of lyme disease symptoms.

CHECK LIST OF CURRENT SYMPTOMS: This is not meant to be used as a diagnostic scheme, but is provided to streamline the office interview.  Note the format complaints referable to specific organ systems and specific co-infections are clustered to clarify diagnoses and to better display multisystem involvement.

Have you had any of the following in relation to this illness? (CIRCLE “NO” OR “YES”)

I stated YES in BOLD next to my symptoms.

Tick bite    N  Y  “EM” rash (discrete circle) N  YES

Spotted rash over large area  N  Y  Linear, red streaks  N  YES

CURRENT SEVERITY CURRENT FREQUENCY

SYMPTOM OR SIGN NONE MILD MODERATE SEVERE NA NEVER OCCASIONAL OFTEN CONSTANT

Persistent swollen glands- YES

Sore throat- YES

Fevers- YES

Sore soles, esp. in the AM

Joint pain in:

Fingers, toes- YES

Ankles, wrists- YES

Knees, elbows- YES

Hips, shoulders- YES

Joint swelling in:

Fingers, toes- YES

Ankles, wrists- YES

Knees, elbows- YES

Hips, shoulders- YES

Unexplained back pain- YES

Stiffness of the joints or back –YES

Muscle pain or cramps- YES

Obvious muscle weakness- YES

Twitching of the face or other muscles- YES

Confusion, difficulty thinking- YES

Difficulty with concentration, reading, problem absorbing new information- YES

Word search, name block- YES

Forgetfulness, poor short term memory, poor attention- YES

Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places- YES

Speech errors- wrong word, misspeaking- YES

Mood swings, irritability, depression-YES

Anxiety, panic attacks- YES

Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, bipolar)

Tremor

Seizures

Headache- YES

Light  sensitivity- YES

Sound sensitivity- occasional YES

Vision: double, blurry, floaters- YES

Ear pain

CURRENT SEVERITY CURRENT FREQUENCY

SYMPTOM OR SIGN NONE MILD MODERATE SEVERE NA NEVER OCCASIONAL OFTEN CONSTANT

Hearing: buzzing, ringing, decreased hearing- YES

Increased motion sickness, vertigo, spinning- YES

Off balance, “tippy” feeling- YES

light-headedness, wooziness, unavoidable need to sit or lie- YES

Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains, skin hypersensitivity – YES

Facial paralysis-Bell’s Palsy

Dental pain

Neck creaks and cracks, stiffness, neck pain- YES

Fatigue, tired, poor stamina- YES

Insomnia, fractionated sleep, early awakening- YES

Excessive night-time sleep- YES

Napping during the day- YES

Unexplained weight gain- YES

Unexplained weight loss- YES

Unexplained hair loss

Pain in genital area

Unexplained menstrual irregularity.

Unexplained milk production;breast pain

Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction

Loss of libido- YES

Queasy stomach or nausea- YES

Heartburn, stomach pain- YES

Constipation- YES

Diarrhea

Low abdominal pain, cramps- YES

Heart murmur or valve prolapse

Heart palpitations or skips- YES

“Heart block” on EKG

Chest wall pain or ribs sore- YES

Head congestion- YES

Breathlessness, “air hunger”, unexplained chronic cough- YES

Night sweats- YES

Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol- YES

Symptom flares every 4 wks.- YES

Degree of disability- YES

Yet every doctor I saw over the years said there was nothing seriously wrong with me.  “Part of getting older.”  “Residual effects of Lyme Disease.”  “You need to see a Psychiatrist.”  “You are researching too much- you are not a doctor.”  “It’s all in your head.”

I wasn’t going to believe them…….

The eyes of understanding. Charlie Girl is my 'in home' 24/7 caregiver. She knows when I am not feeling well and never leaves my side.

 

The Opportunistic Disease in Disguise

In this post, I will try my best to explain what Lyme Disease is.  Let me warn you, it IS very complicated.  However, the more you learn about Lyme Disease, the better off you are.  No one is safe from becoming infected with Lyme Disease.

I will NOT let the fear of ticks keep me from enjoying nature!

I refer to Lyme Disease as the “Opportunistic Disease in Disguise’ because of the way it changes while in a person’s body.  It can go dormant and effectively hide from antibiotics and blood tests.  Lyme Disease attacks different parts of the body causing varied symptoms which are most frequently misdiagnosed.  People diagnosed with Lupus, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Severe Arthritis, Migraines, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Restless Leg Syndrome, Costochondritis, ADD, Peripheral Facial Palsy, Depression, Anxiety disorders, Autism and many more illnesses are found  to actually have Lyme Disease but are first commonly misdiagnosed.  Most Primary Care Physicians are not literate enough in the world of lyme to know that these illness harbor similar symptoms to lyme disease.  Instead they are treated for an illness other than Lyme Disease and never recover.  It is in the best interest of the patient to educated themselves about Lyme Disease.  You may be suffering from a misdiagnosed illness all this time when you could be getting treated for the correct illness that is affecting you.  Since my first treatment in 2004,  I had numerous doctors tell me I was experiencing Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Restless Leg Syndrome, Costochondritis, Hormonal Imbalances, Ulcers, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Severe Depression, Anxiety, just to name a few.  They were quick to put me on many medications to ‘bandage’ my problems, but none ever put a rest to what was truly ailing me.  The worst diagnosis I received was from several doctors who simply told me, “It’s all in your head. You need to see a psychiatrist!”

In the ‘traditional sense,’ Lyme Disease is an infectious illness caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) most often carried by an infected tick. However, as Joseph J. Burrascano, Jr., MD states, ‘clinically the illness often is much more than that, especially in the disseminated and chronic forms.”  Dr. Joseph Burrascano is, in my opinion as well as countless other lyme literate people afflicted with Lyme Disease, one of, if not THE BEST lyme literate doctors in the world.  His Lyme Disease Guidelines are commonly followed by the ‘lyme community,’  lyme literate doctors as well as lyme patients and care givers.  You can find a wealth of information online about Dr. Burrascano, his background information as well as his guidelines.Severe Depression, Hormone issues, Anxiety, Insomnia, just to name a few. The most frustrating diagnoses the I received from doctors were ones when they told me,  it was “all in my head.”  I plead with those of you who recognize any of the ‘illnesses’/symptoms listed above as ones you have been said to have to PLEASE look into the possibility of Lyme Disease.  It could very well save your life or the life of a loved one.

I would also like to mention PJ Langhoff an incredible author who, through her writings, speaks for all of us afflicted with this disease.  She is a victim of Lyme Disease, along with her children.   She is our voice.  I thank her for all the sacrifices she has made.  I thank her for her wisdom.  I thank her for never giving up.  She is a true inspiration.  She has written several books that are very informative.  I encourage those of you with Lyme Disease or who love someone with Lyme Disease to pick up one if not all of her books and get to reading!  Her books include but are not limited to:

“It’s All In Your Head,”  Patient Stories from the Front Lines

“It’s All In Your Head,”  Around the World in 80 Lyme Patient Stories

“The Baker’s Dozen & the Lunatic Fringe

The Dreaded TICK

Various Ticks

An infected tick embeds itself into its host.  The tick engorges itself with the host’s blood all the while  transferring the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) into the host’s bloodstream.   As the spirochetes travel through the host’s bloodstream, they use their spiral shaped body to ‘corkscrew’ their way deep into the tissues and organs of the host.  Above, notice how tiny the Nymph Deer Tick is.  It is so small, it often goes unrecognized as it embeds itself into its victim.  Within weeks, sometimes even days, symptoms will flare up.  Because  early Lyme Disease symptoms are similar to the flu, the infected person often goes untreated.  This will lead to a more dangerous and difficult stage of the disease with a long, painful road to recovery IF the patient can find a lyme literate doctor to treat them.  Sometimes, it is too late.

A Nymph Deer Tick is so small it often goes unnoticed as it crawls onto, then embeds itself into it's victim.

It was once believed that only deer ticks were carriers of Lyme Disease.  However, many scientists are finding that mosquitos, deer flies, horse flies and other biting, blood sucking insects are also carriers.  It was once believed that deer and mice were the only animals that carried the ticks around.  Wrong!  These tiny, blood sucking creatures are found on horses, squirrels, birds, dogs, rabbits, cats…. most animals that have access to the outdoors.

Co-Infections:

Not only do ticks carry Lyme Disease, but they carry Co-Infections as well.  Usually when a person is treated only for Lyme Disease and never seem to fully recover, it is because they have been infected with Co-Infections as well.  Co-Infections are treated separately from Lyme Disease.  It is essential to the patient that they be clinically treated for both Lyme Disease and Co-Infections.

Bartonella is the most common of all tick-borne pathogens.  Some symptoms seen with Bartonella are Central Nervous System issues; agitation, insomnia, and even seizures. Many cognitive deficits and confusion are common.  Other symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, sore soles, red rashes, and tender subcutaneous nodules along the extremities.  Swollen lymph nodes and sore throats are also very common.  I am currently on treatment for Bartonella.  The medication I am taking for Bartonella is Doxycycline along with Rifampin.

Babesiosis also known as Piroplasmosis.  Babesiosis is not a bacteria, they are protozoans.  Therefore, they will not be eradicated  by any of the common lyme treatments for the lyme bacteria.  Symptoms for Babesiosis include night sweats, high fever and chills, air hunger, occasional cough, persistent migraine-like headache, fatigue, a sense on imbalance, just to name a few.  Because of my symptoms, there is a strong suspicion that I have this co-infection as well.  If so, I will have to take a medication that is used to treat Malaria.  Insurance will NOT cover the cost of this very expensive medication.

Other interesting and important facts about Lyme Disease:

Lyme Disease can be sexually transmitted.

Lyme Disease can be transmitted in utero.

Lyme Disease can be transmitted through blood transfusions.

Lyme Disease can be found in body tissue and organs, in urine, mucus as well as other bodily fluids.

Lyme Disease can be transmitted through organ donors.