Topic:   Any Lyme Success Stories?  
Foggy
Flash Member
Posts: 2
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
  posted 05 September 2001 23:19              
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I was just diagnosed with Chronic Lyme after a frustrating 4+ year quest for
answers to a debilitating malaise and this torturous brain FOG. After dealing
with a bunch of apathetic so-called MDs who told me "it was all in my head", my
life deteriorated to a vestige of the once vibrant lifestyle I led. I now have
a LLMD and I'm hoping his protocol of ABX will get me to the promised land. I
want my life back! I've been a bit down lately and I'm worried that I've seen
few success stories about people who've been cured, or improved to a point
where they can function normally. Does anyone have any optimistic stories of
actually being entirely cured of chronic Lyme? I'm frightened by the sad
reality that I may never shake this awful affliction. I do appreciate having
this forum as a place to share, seek support, and yes, even lament.
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 354
From: Mercer Island, Washington USA
Registered: Oct 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 01:54                
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I am counting my blessings and believe that mine is a success story. None of us
will probably ever know whether we are "completely cured". I don't think there
is such a thing with any chronic illness. I feel better now than I have in
many, many years. To show you how good, I was out in the yard with chain saw
and clippers today giving my trees and bushes their life back!! They had been
neglected for five years of Lyme Disease. Now they stand strong again, well
watered and fed. And my aim is to surround myself with positive energies and
keep the tick away. I promise you, you will get your life back also if you do
the right things. The brain fog was the toughest for me also. (I got rid of it
with 2-3 months of neural therapy.)Wishing you well!

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BRENDA2
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 394
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2001
  posted 06 September 2001 07:13                
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Foggy,
It is very scary where you are right now. I had Lyme untreated for 10 years and
I am doing ! great ! now  Went to several docs and they didn't know what was up
yadda yadda yadda. Diagnosed with Lyme this year. My abx treatment consisted of
12 weeks of {*filter*}doxy 300 mg per day followed by 3 weeks IV Rocephin, followed
by 3 weeks IV Penicillin G. I loved the Rocephin the BEST! I became allergic,
hence the switch to Pen G.

I feel fantastic. It's amazing how insidious Lyme can be as it slowly robs you
of everything. For me it was the insidiousness followed by a huge train wreck
of symptoms that were RELENTLESS!

Hang in there. Pray--God does the most.

Brenda

[This message has been edited by BRENDA2 (edited 06 September 2001).]

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Sammi
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 688
From:
Registered: Oct 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 08:23              
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Foggy I understand your concerns. The important thing is that now you know what
you are dealing with and you are getting the help you need from a knowledgeable
doctor. This is more than half the batttle! It is not easy going through
treatment, but you will get through it. Remember, you are NOT alone. I believe
many people are well. They are living their lives, so they are not posting on
the fourms. I am much better than when I started. It takes time. Learn as much
as you can, so you know what to expect. I have a good list of resources on Lyme

ko is an underline). Please mention your screen name as a reminder for me.
Do everything you can to help yourself recover--get plenty of rest, eat
nutritionally, drink tons of water, listen to your body, do not be tough on
yourself for things you cannot do at this time, and don't forget to laugh!

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RoadRunner
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1825
From: ct
Registered: Nov 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 09:25                
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Yes, you can get better!!
Here is my story....
IV Rocephin worked for me!!
along with Zithro and Flagyl!!
About two years ago I got lyme disease and didn't get a rash and my symtoms
came on slow because of my immune System and I didn't know I had lyme then.I am
on Rocephin IV treatment and it is working great I am almost 80% better and on
for 12 weeks only I was orals for three month's and no improvement at all.

I went to this great Doctor in Nov 2000 and I am on the way to recovery thanks
to him!!!!
I have lost 55 pounds because of this disease and it was no fun at all I was
down to 135 pounds(I was a little over weight when health I am 190) because I
was throwing up everyday(for six month's) and the other doctor said it was
stress!!!!!!
some of my other problems are memory and fatigue,dizziness,confusion,difficulty
thinking,difficulty concentrating and reading slurred speech, mood swings,
irritability,
feeling as if I was losing my mind,insomnia, nausea, upset stomach, sensitivity
to light,diarrhea,numbness,unexplained shaking,balance problems....

I am not on any meds and no symptoms as of May 15, 2001

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"Beep Beep"

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Sarah
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2124
From: Aptos, California
Registered: Oct 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 12:43                
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I am so glad RoadRunner!*)!*!
9 months of IV Rocephin brought me to 95% and then my Babs surged (I have Lyme,
Ehrlichiosis & Babesiosis) and I am always somewhere between 90-100%, mostly
95+, with flares being 92 or so*)!!!!!!!!!!!! But I was REALLY REALLY REALLY
sick pre-Rocephin
and now I get to enjoy life again*)!!!!!!!!!

It sometimes takes a while, but most people imrpvoe with
treatment!*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do know people who are cured!!! Including some who were VERY VERY VERY VERY
ill. it does happen!!

Like RoadRunner-!*)!*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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hipvelma
Flash Member
Posts: 25
From: CT
Registered: Jun 2001
  posted 06 September 2001 12:52                
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Foggy,
Hope this makes you feel better. I sure do after reading this! Thanks all.
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RoadRunner
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1825
From: ct
Registered: Nov 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 20:24                
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hipvelma
hey where in CT do you live??
are you going to a good doc??
yes sarah it feels great!! to be better!!
do you remember me in nov 2000 rally in NY
I was in bad shape uh!!
sarah is one of the nicest people you will ever talk too....
she is a great friend!!
please listen to us!!

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"Beep Beep"

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HaplyCarlessdave
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 955
From: ithaca, NY, usa
Registered: Nov 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 21:00                
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I didn't go as long as you untreated, but I received insufficient treatment the
first time around. I got pretty bad after the second relapse due to
insufficient treatment, then went half a year without treatment. My life
degenerated, too; couldn't even THINK about windsurfing, catamaran sailing,
maniacal skinny-skiing or any of the crazy stuff I love to do. Since finding a
real DOCTOR, not just ... youknow, a.. .. 'doctor'..., and started taken high
doses of antibiotics, both pharmaceutical and natural, 7 months ago, I have
almost totally recovered. 96% of the way back at this point. I just went down
to look at my old catamaran at the boatyard-totally overgrown with weeds- but I
think I'll be out on it before this month is over! (hopefully I'll fix some of
the holes first, since it's had time to dry out!! -if I'm having a good day and
there's a wind, though, I might not be able to resist...)
You wouldn't have caught me dead saying anything like this a couple months ago!
In another month I get tested- we'll see- I might still have to tak tinadzole
or flagyl, I guess, but I have a feeling between the herbal stuff stuff and
those big yellow horrible tastin biaxin pills, eyc. I might have a chance!
Well, better {*filter*}down a handful or two of pills and get to the jam. (if
you're near Ithaca, come on down to ABC cafe on the west side of stewart ave 2
doors north of buffalo street.)
Hang in there, it's a long hard fight but you will get better!
DaveS

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sftblchik4
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 63
From: Massachusetts
Registered: Nov 2000
  posted 06 September 2001 21:06                
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Hi Foggy,
Don't be dismayed by the lack of postings from those who've gotten better;
we're out there, just out and about and going on with our lives because we're
feeling better, and not spending so much time confined at home with nothing to
do but sit in front of the computer.

I was treated with 8 weeks IV Rocephin and have been on orals for 7 months.
Feeling much better. Treatment is long and can be discouraging, but worth
sticking out.

I used to post quite a bit, but now I find I just don't have enough time!

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Foggy
Flash Member
Posts: 2
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
  posted 06 September 2001 21:47              
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Thank you all for your words of encouragement. There's light at the end of this
very dark tunnel! I'm following the {*filter*}antiboitics regimen like clockwork
with no problems(knock on wood). I'm praying that this combo of {*filter*}ABX works
and can't wait for that momentous day when I start to feel better and the Fog
lifts from my head.
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charlie
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 444
From: Texas
Registered: Oct 2000
  posted 07 September 2001 00:16                
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.... I've had lyme for 10+ years and I'm between 90-100% now after a year and a
half of heavy-duty self-administered orals. Only catchy knees, sometimes tingly
feet and a funny-looking swollen elbow remain. This time last year I was near
bedridden. Keep it up, you'll get there. BTW, I'm still not stopping abx other
than for short breaks until ALL this stuff is gone for awhile, if then. Charlie