Memory & brain issues Lyme or hormones or some other darn thing?

Hi Dixeee, the thing is, Tick diseases such as Lyme can affect all of those functions in us, thyroid, hormones, and any other pre-existing condition can be accelerated.

Welcome to our group, I understand you've already read our "New to Lyme?" topic?

about half the people bitten and infected either never get a rash, or see it. Testing if just as 'iffy', but you might look into getting the dna connexions testing done, which looks at your urine. From what I understand you don't need a Physician to sign off for one.

Second thought. If you have insurance to cover getting tested, try to ask for a Western blot rather than Elisa type, or ask your Physician if he/she would sign for you to get tested through Igenex labs in Ca. They use a more complete W.B. band screening and more in depth methods that many labs. However they usually charge a fee that can may be able to submit to your insurance company.

I've personally not used them but others here have and will have more info. igenex.com/Website/#

Post Edited (julymorning) : 4/20/2017 9:09:49 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Dixee—

Welcome. I'm so sorry you have been bounced around like you have. So many of us have similar stories.

I agree w/ the others' suggestions. I have a hunch you're in the right place. We'll at least help you find good sources for info or rule some things out, if nothing else.

One thing that might help if you decide to do the IGeneX serological testing (which looks for an immune response to the Lyme microbe and DNA fragments, not the actual microbe) is to "provoke" a stronger immune response by taking Olive Leaf extract for about a month before testing. One of the main reasons the serology tests are only 50% accurate is because our immune systems are often not producing enough antibodies to the infections for the tests to pick them up.

And the nice thing about the DNA Connexions urine test already mentioned is it looks for about a dozen strains of Lyme and two other coinfections. It's roughly $500.

But because all of the testing is less-than-stellar, Lyme is generally a clinical diagnosis so you don't need a positive test with a good Lyme specialist.

Regarding your symptoms - what you're describing are recognized as psychiatric-neurological symptoms in the Lyme world.

I have Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia and maybe others and have developed a list of nearly 50 symptoms over the years. Quite a few of them are the psycho-neuro symptoms you're describing. These symptoms are what stump MDs the most, I think, because Lyme is supposed to be arthritis and a rash. And they can also make treatment the most challenging, due to the cognitive challenges managing such a complex treatment.

Not only can the infections cause many of the p-s symptoms but so can the treatment process, our lack of effective detoxing, the stress of being ill and not having help or solutions, and imbalances within the other health systems as our bodies struggle w/ the Lyme & Co., as you and others have mentioned.

ETA:
A couple of things you can do right now, regardless if you decide to treat is to increase detoxing methods - science finally proved the gut-brain connection with blood vessels that link the two, which helps explain why GI distress can manifest into psycho-neuro issues for us. A binder can help you be more regular and usher toxins out regularly.

Diet is key - eliminating non-natural sugars, processed foods, maybe even inflammatory foods and things like gluten can help with gut health and digestion. Since 70% of our immune system IS our guts, this also helps with healing.

And I have a lot of success with Nutrimedix tinctures for brain support: Pinellla and bur bur. Huperzine is helpful and an anti-inflammatory might also be helpful like Japanese Knotweed and/or turmeric.

Hope this is helpful - if not you can continue asking questions.

-p

Post Edited (Pirouette) : 4/20/2017 11:13:42 PM (GMT-6)