Is it really possible for me to have had lyme disease for decades?
I’ve been doing alot of digging recently about lyme disease which I think I might have. I’m currently 29 years of age and when I was 5 my mother found a tick on me and took me to a hospital where they didn’t really want to do much-probably for the fact this was an inner city hospital where they don’t see many tick bites.
Only recently have I been feeling odd and am wondering why? Many of my current symptoms seem to fall in line with lyme disease like the stiff neck, aching joint in my neck, fatigue and flu-like symptoms-which has past for now. Other symptoms are somewhat related to slight memory loss, especially with vocabulary.
I have an appointment with my doctor this coming wednesday but i’m wondering if this disease could really have been in me for decades showing relatively no signs until now. I suppose me living a healthy life and diet could have kept the disease at bay, but that still seems like a long time.
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Yes, it is very much possible. Many people report experiences similar to yours, and they do turn out to have Lyme disease, and Lyme treatment helps them feel better. It’s very important to get yourself evaluated by someone with experience diagnosing and treating long-term Lyme. That would likely be a doc affiliated with ILADS, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. A good way to find one in your area is to go to http://www.lymenet.com, click on "flash discussions," then click on "seeking a doctor." You can post a request for a referral in your area.
It’s also important to educate yourself about this disease. Good places to start:
http://www.lymenet.com
http://www.lymeinfo.net
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org
http://www.ilads.org
http://www.betterheatlhguy.com
http://www.publichealthalert.com
Good luck!
I think the symptoms woul have shown up before and been more severe.
By all means chat with the Dr and get tested, but I don’t think you’ve got it. It sounds like you’re just stressing out and tense.
I’m not sure about decades. You could have been infected more recently. I was diagnosed with lyme disease about 6 weeks ago and I have most likely had it for about four years. I do not recall having a tick or a rash. So, I guess you can be infected without classic symptoms or realizing it.
I think that it is very possible. I had a tick bite in the early 90′s and have only now been diagnosed. The only symptoms I knew of was arthritic pain in my back for the last 5 years. I have been under a lot of stress the last year and now have multiple debilitating symptoms of lyme. I, like you, have led a healthy lifestyle and so it may have kept the lyme at bay. Make sure you find a doc that specializes or knows a lot about lyme. You can find that out if you look at a number of the lyme web sites. I am in Northern California and know an excellent doctor here.
Don’t let it get you down. I have a very responsible job and am continuing to work. I would get more stressed just being at home thinking about things. I think the important thing is to educate yourself, be assertive and don’t think that you are crazy. Find someone who takes you seriously even if it is online. I wish you the best
Kathleen