new and can't sleep

This week the left side of my face went numb, and there was severe itching under my skin. Thought it might be shingles, and I was expecting a house full of company for Thanksgiving. My regular dr. has banker's hours so I went to urgent care.  The dr. did a fairly good history, and immediately sent me to the lab for a Lyme's test. 

10 years ago, I had an emergency hysterectomy, strep throat that did not respond to antibiotics, moved to a new house and lost my grandmother--in the space of a couple of weeks. Then, the joint pain started. My knees, shoulders and hands hurt so bad they cut off my wedding bands. I was tired and crying non-stop. Ended up in the hospital for IV pain meds and a mental health "nap".

Went to a rheumatologist who diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome, and I called him a "horse's ass" because I felt like he ran a lot of expensive tests, but didn't really think there was anything wrong but stress.

Over the years I've had bouts of joint pain, depression, chronic sinus infections, TMJ, back pain and headaches that wake me up at night. I quit drinking alcohol because it acts like poison in my system. Right now, the pain in my kness made it impossible to sleep, and I'm waiting for the vicoden to work.

I live on a farm with plenty of woods, with horses. Have treated 3 different horses for Eurlichia (sp?). Husband has had the rash twice and was treated sucessfully right away with antibiotics. I was bit hard this summer by a deer tick, which I removed right away, but we pick ticks from spring till fall.

What are my odds do you think my test will be positive?

Thank you! I did read all of he new to Lyme info. This forum seems to have the most useful info, and as I was up anyway, I read a lot of info! This dr. said that they do two tests on the blood--I only remember the western Blot. The clinic was nice enough to fit me in, but I didn't know this dr., and I really didn't want to waste a lot of her time that evening, so she probably didn't get the whole picture, and yet she was still sure that this is what I had--which is more hope than my regular dr. has offerred in years! (He's a big fan of more drugs. I have enough vicoden and muscle relaxers to start a pharmacy on the street corner.) If she'll take me I will switch. In the meantime, I am going to start reading all I can about maybe relieving some symptoms. I drink a LOT of diet cola. Thank you again, and I'll update after the tests come back, and get a better idea where I should go.

What I'm curious about is if your on antibiotics? What you described with your face going numb sounds like the onset of Bells Palsy, paralysis of one side of your face. It would be better to catch it before having to go through a long recovery process.

Hi Bump!
Welcome to our little spot!! I am so sorry to hear of all that you have been through! You are in good company though!! We can understand what you are going through!!

I agree with the others, you should be seen by a truly Lyme Literate doctor. If you want to see that doc that you saw if the Urgent Care center, please be sure to find out a bunch of info first! You really don't want to use a doctor that you have to educate! We have a great thread titled "All members please read - questions to ask LLMD's?" that I would highly encourage you to read through. We have some links that we can provide that can help you find a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) if you wish, and you can also start a new thread asking our members for the name and info on a LLMD near you - be sure to include the area you are looking for a doctor in - that way we can suggest docs as close as possible. You will need to activate an email account, as we don't allow people to openly discuss all LLMD's here.

You really do need to have the best possible diet - even if your family doesn't follow suit. Cola, especially diet cola isn't good for a person's health, especially if they have Lyme and/or other tick-borne infections. Aspertame (what most diet sodas use for sweetener) has it's own disease.

You can also start detoxing now! This should go a long way towards alleviating some of your symptoms. Don't forget to do the dry skin brushing and drinking plenty of lemon water!