New to Lyme - Help us understand what's in store

Hi everyone,

My wife was recently diagnosed with chronic Lyme so we're starting on the journey with which many of you are already familiar.

Based on my reading, I have a basic understanding of what to expect from long term antibiotic treatment. But with all the information available online it's hard to separate what's common from what is possible yet unlikely.

That said, can you please post about your experience with treatment no matter how insignificant? Even if it's just to say your treatment progressed without many difficulties.

Any insight is helpful but my wife and I are especially interested in understanding the following:

1) How much pain does the treatment tend to introduce?
2) How likely is it that candida will be a problem during and after treatment?
3) After treatment, what can we expect in the way of long-term/permanent side effects?
4) We've heard long-term antibiotic treatment is like firebombing your system (akin to chemo). Is that a legitimate analogy?
5) After everything you've gone through in treatment, what would you do differently if you could do it over again?

Thank you very much for your insight!

Happy to answer any questions if it's helpful to have additional context.

Welcome. Sorry to hear your wife has been added to our ranks but hopefully this will be a supportive site for the both of you. The question of pain is hard to answer. I believe I have been infected ten years now. Just in the last few months getting small confirmations of lyme and co-infections. Regarding pain, early in my journey I had severe, debilitating pain in muslces and joints. Then pain would subside for a period of time (months, years) then it would flare up again. I have only started second round of abx treatment so cant answer a couple of your other questions yet.

How did she find out she had lyme? Clinical dx or testing? It would be helpful to know what tests she had and their results and also how long she has been ill.

Wish you both the best and I think you will find this site helpful and encouraging through this process.

adrocks512 I am writing a blog about my journey. Most of your questions are answered there.

Hi adrock, I am undergoing tx for chronic lyme for 10 months. I am doing about 85% better from the initial time of diagnosis. My experience is that the abx provided immediate relief of symptoms. You can find a treatment regime that agrees with you.

I would highly recommend Omnicef or similar medication to deal with the dizziness, mental symptoms etc. I have not had a bad yeast problem but take probiotics daily. You will likely encounter some side effects and some bad days due to die off of bacteria. But the disease causes brain swelling and the antibiotics counter that. They also help your body fight the disease and deal with an already overloaded immune system.

I cannot tell you what the long term effects will be but it differs with each person. A friends husband was on abx 2.5 years and is fine now. We share a wonderful llmd who I trust very much. He has helped me and many others immensely. Your wife should know diet also plays a role in this. Read Burrascano's guidelines for more info. Basically a diet of protein and vegetables is best.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Your wife is very fortunate to have you helping her in this journey.

www.lymenet.org/BurrGuide200810.pdf
Burrascano

Has your wife been tested for HLA (mold detox, lyme, and post lyme syndromes?)