Sorry to hear your wife is becoming more ill. From everything I've read, I subscribe to the cause of fibromyalgia being a mycoplasma (small bacteria). The reasoning behind a stressful event triggering fibromyalgia is the body harbors these organisms in small amounts and they replicate when the body is under extreme stress. I think, too, as we age, our bodies are less capable of fighting infection, so symptoms can increase with age. I've had fibro since I was 40, and, I'm 51 one now. I spoke to experts in Gulf War Illness when I first fell ill as the symptoms are similar. The best advice I can give is to help your wife's immune system become the strongest in can be. These organisms have been known to lay dormant in the organs. It's similar to older people who get shingles, which is a caused by the chicken pox virus which had laid dormant from childhood.
I think your doctor is on the right track with the doxy as it will kill the RMSF bacterium. The challenge will be to keep this bacterium in check. I would recommend starting your wife on a good multi-vitamin, fish oil and Vitamin D. See my other posts for suggestions. I would also take a look at your diet, keeping in mind to include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as they all help the immune system. If you would like to list your wife's specific symptoms, I can recommend other vitamins or foods to help. There are medications to help symptoms, but I personally have had experience with a plethora of medications which basically resulted in feeling worse because of all the side-effects. My doctor felt the meds would cure my condition, and I believed her. But if she is having trouble sleeping, there's a place for medications as the body cannot function without sleep. It's all about
getting a quality of life.
While she is on the antibiotic, it's important for her to get the good bacteria replenished in her bowels as the antibiotic will kill all bacteria, good and bad. Yogurt helps in a small way, there are also pills for acidopholus, but I find the most effective is the Bio-K supplement, once a day. My son just finished 6 weeks of doxy for suspected lymes (they think he has MS, but we wanted to try to see if it is effective), and, experienced no bowel problems or no lowered immune system (no colds caught!) by taking the Bio-K everyday. He did have a sore stomach sometimes after taking it as they recommend to take it on an empty stomach. Ginger tea will help her as it calms the stomach.
There is also a chance the doxy will initially make her feel worse. This is the bacteria dying off, which can make it tough for the body to go through. It's called the herxheimer reaction. If she does feel worse, than this is a good indicator it's working on the ressurgence of RMSF. If she doesn't, then it's possible she either needs a longer treatment. The moderator's suggestion of the Lyme forum would be best for information on killing off the bacteria. I understand it's a challenge to completely get rid of them!
Take care and best of luck with getting some help for your wife! The condition is rare, but there are some online support groups. Some support groups are not good, so be careful as some just like sharing the misery by complaining instead of finding a better way to live through supporting each other. I just joined this one recently and it seems to be great so far.
http://www.mdjunction.com/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Rocky-Mountain-Spotted-Fever/support-group
Post Edited (Sue123) : 1/13/2012 3:54:12 PM (GMT-7)