Recurrence of Lyme Disease Symptoms

[biofuel555]

I'm a physician who last posted here in 2012. Both my wife and I developed symptoms at around the same time and eventually got better after a 12 week course of doxycycline, presuming that we had Lyme Disease. For the past 9 weeks, after a stressful period, I've had a recurrence with cramps and fasciculations; and perceived weakness and pain in my feet, hamstrings and buttocks upon standing. Best position: feet elevated. Negative Neuro exam and EMG. No spinal stenosis on MRI, arterial Doppler negative.My wife, who is a very calm, well-balanced person, is also reporting milder symptoms again over the past few weeks; mostly some twitches. I don't suspect any psychogenic component in her case.We both started doxycycline again, because we previously improved at the same time on that medication during our first episode from May-December, 2012.I'm wondering if our case suggests a viral or other infectious etiology for some cases of BCFS.Also wondering dose ranges for any Tegretol success stories.

 

[Gloria123]

How crazy coincidental that you and your wife are getting symptoms at the same time. And strange that it appears bacterial. Were you both bitten by ticks? Why did you think Lyme disease in the first place?I always wonder if I have Lyme because the few times I have been on antibiotics since this all started (in 2011), my twitching subsides. It's very strange. But, I live in Colorado where this is presumably no Lyme disease.Mitra

 

[biofuel555]

Hi Mitra, Thanks for responding. Lyme was actually suggested on an ALS board, when this all started for us in 2012. No one really knows the etiology of B(C)FS, so perhaps some cases are of infectious origin. All the best.

 

[GHayes420]

nice to hear from you biofed55. I remember your case well from a couple years ago. Thanks for checking in. I really wanted to try a course of dxy myself as this all started for me about a month after I was bitten by a tic but Mayo and every other doctor are telling me this isn't a dormant Lyme infection and certainly not Lyme disease. So I don't know. I still am keeping all options on the table and I am curious if you again try doxy. Instead of Tegretol, try looking at its newer cousin, Trileptal. Tegretol can lose effectiveness over time where Trileptal seems to avoid this. Please stay in touch. -Greg

 

[biofuel555]

Hi Greg, Thanks for replying. Yes, my wife and I both restarted doxycycline at 200 mg twice a day and we'll do a 12 week course. Mostly because we both got completely better, at the same time, after doing it 2 years ago, and I don't see much down side to doing so. Best wishes.

 

[GHayes420]

Thanks again for the feedback biofed55. Please report back to us after this next round of doxy. I always wondered about trying it, but have been unsuccessful in convincing a doctor to prescribe me doxy for the fasciculations. Which is frustrating. If this works again for you, I may have to fly to your practice for the script. Keep us updated and best regards to you and your wife.

 

[Alousiva]

Make sure you're not drinking aspartame. It brings on MA like symptoms. It can be something that simple! See my post. Have you both been dieting? Hugs.