June 2009, as I stated previously, I began to feel unwell during this time. My body began to ache like a bad case of the flu. During this time I also began to develop a pain in my neck (literally) and of course the headaches were becoming more intense. (I do suffer from migraines). I did have rashes but not the "classic" circular rash that so many rely so heavily on. I had a rash on the right side of my face along the jaw line that seemingly would come and go. Later on I developed what my husband referred to as a "belt strap slap" on my left shoulder blade. I had an MRI of my neck revealing minor age related changes. I was prescribed muscle relaxants to no avail. I ended of in the Emergency Room several times due to severe headaches and neck pain-each time I was given narcotics which barely took the edge off, and sent home. (Oh I did get some basic blood work too) Since we were not getting any answers for my downward spiral, I began to think it was fallout from all the narcotics given for my headaches. Two Lyme screens came up negative, but the second test was taken after an ER doctor prescribed me a 10 day course of antibiotics for a "viral syndrome." So naturally the second test was tainted by treatment. I continued to feel worse and worse. My symptoms: severe neck pain, severe headaches, overall joint and muscle pain (not aches-real pain), my joints felt as if they were swollen yet they weren't, extreme lethargy, muscle twitches/jerks, inability to sleep due to pain, shooting pains radiating down my legs from my hips, lower back pain, shoulder and elbow pain, nausea, dizziness/lightheartedness, numbness, extremity tingling, and severe pain in my left should blade area which became the pain in addition to the headaches that kept me from sleep for weeks. Early in July I had asked for another course of antibiotics recognizing that I did feel a little better on that ten day course prescribed by an ER Dr. but I was turned down. And everything continued to spiral downward....
I went to the ER several time over the next few weeks only to be given narcotics and sent back home. Once I even came in by ambulance because I couldn't walk, ad was so light headed-the ER gave me more narcotics and left me WALK out of the ER. This went on for several weeks. Oh and lest I forget the Dr. who never even looked at me in ER but wanted me to have a spinal tap. I looked at the ER Dr and said, "He wants me to have a procedure that will likely intensify the pain (headache) I'm already in?" I told him "not now" and he concurred, and besides he said I wouldn't really want him to do it, and I said "no only a neurologist or surgeon experienced with lumbar punctures." I later learned from an infectious disease Dr. and neurologist that the tap they would have put me through probably would have been to no avail as it might show some infection, but without looking specifically for the "Lyme et al" it wouldn't have provided any info. They might have spotted an infection and given me a short course of antibiotics but it would not have been enough to eradicate the disease at that point. So I'm glad I said "no." I was in so much agony I couldn't bear the thought of more pain. After many ER visits a I laid on the the dirty ER waiting room floor, I begged for relief. They took me in (I guess they didn't want me on the floor). I begged (imagine!) to be admitted-I couldn't take it any more. I was refused once again by a Dr who never even saw me. A kind ER Dr came on and after reading my lengthy info over the past month and hearing me today said we'll keep you here until the hospital Dr. comes on. BLESS HIM!!! But alas...my turmoil was not over..
I went to the ER several time over the next few weeks only to be given narcotics and sent back home. Once I even came in by ambulance because I couldn't walk, ad was so light headed-the ER gave me more narcotics and left me WALK out of the ER. This went on for several weeks. Oh and lest I forget the Dr. who never even looked at me in ER but wanted me to have a spinal tap. I looked at the ER Dr and said, "He wants me to have a procedure that will likely intensify the pain (headache) I'm already in?" I told him "not now" and he concurred, and besides he said I wouldn't really want him to do it, and I said "no only a neurologist or surgeon experienced with lumbar punctures." I later learned from an infectious disease Dr. and neurologist that the tap they would have put me through probably would have been to no avail as it might show some infection, but without looking specifically for the "Lyme et al" it wouldn't have provided any info. They might have spotted an infection and given me a short course of antibiotics but it would not have been enough to eradicate the disease at that point. So I'm glad I said "no." I was in so much agony I couldn't bear the thought of more pain. After many ER visits a I laid on the the dirty ER waiting room floor, I begged for relief. They took me in (I guess they didn't want me on the floor). I begged (imagine!) to be admitted-I couldn't take it any more. I was refused once again by a Dr who never even saw me. A kind ER Dr came on and after reading my lengthy info over the past month and hearing me today said we'll keep you here until the hospital Dr. comes on. BLESS HIM!!! But alas...my turmoil was not over..
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