There is no definitive test for Lyme. On some more accurate tests, it shows up as different bands on a chart. The test I had, it showed up as long term, chronic Lyme.
One way to know for sure is if you have one of the known 5 coinfections. Since I also had Babesia, which mimics Malaria symptoms, the doctor was 100% sure I had Lyme.
For the Babesia I took Mepron, for 2 weeks, off 2 weeks while I was taking a not her Malaria med, then 2 weeks of Mepron. Since then I have tested negative for Basesia.
Lyme is a prehistoric microbe, which is in the form of a "spirochete" or cork screw. Over the millenia it has developed the ability to go into hiding - in the form of an indestructible, hard cyst form - When it senses danger from antibiotics. Once it senses it is safe the cyst opens up & FIVE spirochete come out. Unlike most microbes, it has the ability to go across the blood brain barrier, where it can cause brain fog, confusion & fatigue. It can also get into muscles, joints and/or cartilage, causing inflammation & pain.
Nyboy is right, that many people don't know they have it. I didn't. I had to go to The doctor & tell him I had it, after learning The symptoms of Lyme. The probelm with Lyme is the symptoms mimic so many other diseases.
I took rotating antibiotics for six months, because it was thought (and probably still is thought) that by changing antibiotics every two weeks, they can fool the spirochete & kill most of them off.
I now know that the best way to put Lyme into remission (which is the only way to treat it - it is impossible to irradicate it), is to build up the immune system. By doing that the body is able to fight the spirochete on a higher level.
I wish I hadn't taken 6 months of heavy duty antibiotics for 2 reasons:
1. It destroyed my immune system, making it harder for my body to fight the Lyme.
2. Antibiotics can cause tinnitus. I now have constant high pitched buzzing in both ears. It is louder at some times (usually when I am alone). But, it is constant - never goes away. I hate it! It seems to get worse every time I take a course of antibiotics. I don't ever want to take them again!
@Nyboy, you are lucky that you caught it early. The earlier it is treated, the less severe the symptoms. Although the joint pain, & some of the other symptoms can return as a person ages & their immune system isn't as robust as in their youth.
My son was bit by a deer tick, with the classic bulls eye rash, when he was 15 & went on a white water rafting trip in Wisconsin. We caught it early. He had 3 weeks of antibiotics & felt better.
He is now 39 & starting to have symptoms - especially joint pain.
If you want more information about Lyme, you can check out this site:
http://www.ilads.org
We hit the mute button ALL The time, so We don't have to listen to that!
As well as the gentle coo, of the chickens, as they follow us around the yard & our turkey hen, trilling & popping. Those noises are all music to my ears.
I guess in a way, it has become intermittent white noise.
