Yes. . . .it's true!

Yes--it's true. I've resigned from my current job. There were a number of reasons why, but the main being that I've had more flare ups with my Lyme's since I began working there. I completely underestimated how the level of stress in that type of position would affect me. So this brings me to the question. . . . .what now? Not in terms of work, but in terms of Lyme's. I hear so many mixed up things. I've done some things with my diet in the past, but my flare ups are so staggered it is difficult to tell when something works and when something does not. Also, my Lyme tests always show up as "non conclusive" and no test is every completely reliable, so the doctor that I currently have basically tells me that I'm stuck like this. Stuck with the flare ups that just sort of appear as they wish. I say I'm too young to be stuck in this sort of position. I believe that I need to be a bit more aggressive at this point and start connecting with some other folks with Lyme. Perhaps then I can get some real treatment.

The swelling, the swelling, the swelling

I'm having a definite Lyme's flare-up and I'm going to use this post to basically document it.

This flare-up started on Wednesday, August 20th. I felt tired and wore out after a good night's rest. I work up not feeling well, went to work anyway, and then turned around at 9:30 and stayed in bed the rest of the day. I returned on Thursday despite having a slight fever and sore throat, paired with my left knee beginning to swell again. I want to also note that the outside temperature was increasing and there were reports of storms on the way. Friday was more of the same, with increased swelling in my knee. Finally, a repeat of the previous day's health today.

I have begun to notice a correlation with the weather and my flare-ups. As I look back in my blogs relating to knee issues, the weather is a generally a common theme.

My knee and FREAKIN' Lyme disease or what ever is wrong with me

Okay. . .so I am having my knee flare up and it sucks. My current flare-up began on vacation--so right now I am at two weeks of a stiff and swollen knee, with varied severity. Yesterday was the worst--today I took the day off to elevate and ice, but mainly I just took the day off because my job requires lots of bending, stooping, lifting, etc. So I guess my frustration is that I am no where different than I was a year ago, two years ago or three years ago. My knee swells and gets stiff. By the time the dr. can get me in the swelling goes away. MRI's, X-Rays and a barrage of tests ranging from Lyme to the B-what-ever -it-is thing. . . .all come up clean. Everything comes up clean. I am suppposed to be well but I am not. . . . . . . . . . .

Here are past blogs documenting my knee issues. Most current vents to oldest.

Friday, December 09, 2005
The Rheumatologist. . . . . Current mood: determined
Today was a VERY interesting day at the Rheumatologist and my head is spinning. I say that I am determined because I am determined to get the bottom of what is happing to ME. I got a lot of blood work done today and my aspirated (which is a good thing even though it's uncomfortable). I have very mixed feelings about my visit with the dr. He does not feel that I am having lyme problems because my issues with my knee actually stem back further than when I was first diagnosed with LYME. So . . you all may be wondering why this is a surprise to me . .well the knee issues stemmed back to middle school and early high school. I don't really remember the issue (I had A LOT of other things going on at that time. . my knees where the LAST things on my mind) but the dr. had the medical records from when I was still under my parent's insurance (I just happened to get a rheumatologist in my previous clinic). It was the same knee with the same issue . . at least 3 1/2 years before I was ever diagnosed with LYME. Very odd. Anyway, I am open to anything at this point. The Dr. actually thinks that I have some genetic disorder that is related to arthritis(something called B-27 or something like that)because I have not responded to any of my previous anti-inflammatories and only one knee is affected. Time will tell. He did order a Lyme test among other things when my blood was drawn. Anyway. . .after my LONG day at the dr I treated myself to some time at the spa. :-)

Sunday, November 27, 2005
Still puffy and swollen. . . Current mood: blah
Today I officially started some of my new supplement regimine. Besides my multivitamin, I'm now taking some Omega 3's and Cat's Claw. Both are to help combat inflammation. I'll also be adding some anti-oxidents, primrose oil, magnesium, and b-complex. I'm not sure yet about the magnesium or b-complex because most multivitamins contain these. . not sure if I'll be adding to much into my diet. If any of you readers know, drop me a line okay? :-)

Saturday, November 26, 2005
swollen and puffy 2 Current mood: bored
Well David is taking a nap and I'm, once again, "puffy and swollen." My knee is hurting again. I started some of my supplement regimine today. I still have to get Samento, Magnesium, an Anti-oxidant, and a B-complex. Today has just been spent relaxing and being lazy. I did get to the gym for a VERY slow walk and some weight lifting. . .hope the swelling in my knee goes down before Monday.

Monday, November 14, 2005
puffy and swollen . . . Current mood: frustrated
I guess frustrated is the best description tonight. To go along with my pal, michael,'s self rating system. . .tonight I am a 3 (0 the worst and 10 best). My left knee is very puffy, hot and swollen.
I have been tired and cranky since last week--with the swelling really starting on Saturday. I have had difficulty walking today and I am taking off of work tomorrow so that I can be rested enough for wednesday (with, hopefully, minimal swelling).

Stupid, stupid lyme disease. Glad that I'm seeing the rheumatoid specialist next month. I hope I can get a referral to a lyme specialist.

Old Lyme support group posts. . . . .

Posted: Mar 31, 2005 9:01 PM

Hi Guys. I'm Rachael and I wanted to share my Lyme's story too. I used to teach riding lessons at a camp in Madison wi. One summer, I got very sick towards the end of camp and had a large unexplainable rash on my stomache. I didn't think anything of it as the days grew on. . I just thought I had a cold or something. This was about 7 years ago. Fastforward one year. . .I have unexplainable swelling in my left knee. We're talking huge swelling here. I get x-rays, I get MRI's, I see orthapedic doctors. . . nothing shows up anywhere. Finally a dr asks me about lymes and then proceeds to prescribe only two weeks worth of antibiotic. . .all seems well after this. I return to college. I begin to get sick again. More knee swelling, flu-like symptoms, fatigue. . . I go back to the doctor. The first thing he asks me is if I think I'm pregnant!!!! I was sooo pissed. Anyway he runs another lymes test and tells me it's negative and that this is all in my head. I knew my body and I knew that this was not in my head. I went that whole year with lots of leg swelling and being sick all the time. Fast forward one more year. . . .I was really sick that whole school year--lots of fatigue, missing classes, lots of leg swelling. Finally my roommate takes a reluctant me to the emergency room because my leg is so swollen I cannot remove my pants. I ended up getting 100 cc of fluid removed from my knee and getting a lyme test that comes up positive. I get put on a month of antibiotics and still continue to have swelling and fatigue. Finally I get prescribed Rocephen, IV antibiotic. I went to the hospital every day for three weeks and had antibiotics pumped into me for an hour. I'm told that I should be fine after this. A year later, I have unusually swelling again and go through another round of x-rays and MRI's with the doctors insisting that there is no way I should test anywhere remotely positive for lyme with the amount of antibiotics that I have had. . .but low and behold I did. I was put on another month of antibiotics and have not had too many problems since. I am still tired alot, but I am trying hard to combat that with exercise and diet. I do have some occassional knee swelling, but not enough that I am willing to go back to the doctor. Any way--I wanted to share my story. Good luck to both of you!


Converstation between a friend and I
Posted: Sep 23, 2005 8:38 PM

I had to reply to you! I have chronic lymes too. . it doesn't sound that like I have had the magnitude of issues that you have had. . .mine is ONLY centered around my left knee--which swells to the point of not being able to bend my leg and walk. I am VERY active--which I think has really helped. I am going to see a rheumatoid specialist in a few weeks. . . .hopefully he will have some ideas for me.


Posted: Sep 25, 2005 3:36 AM

Have you continued therapy for the Lyme? Has it been difficult to get the proper diagnosis and get the support you needed to keep active?-- Mike

Posted: Sep 25, 2005 1:15 PM

I have not continued anitbiotic use because I was told that antibiotics are not helpful at this point. I am currently seeking the help of a rheumatoid specialist.


Posted: Sep 25, 2005 7:22 PM

Was it a Lyme specialist who suggested you end the treatment? -- Mike

Posted: Sep 26, 2005 7:34 PM

No. My last dr. has been a orthopedic surgeon. As I have said--I don't have quite the extent of chronic issues that you are having. . . I have flare ups maybe 1 or 2x a year for about a month at a time and that is about it. I am hoping the rheumatoid specialist will have some ideas and if not, perhaps a referral to a lyme's specialist near my state. Although the incidence is increasing dr's aren't particularly educated about LYME here. Most likely the rheumatoid specialist will provide me with a referal (I hope) to see a lyme specialist. . . .we'll see!