That was my question when I visited a new doctor today. For a minute, he looked at my new labs, then my old labs, then at me, then back at my file.
"Not in your case," he said. "Especially not when your body's carrying 5-20 times the load it should be."
He then goes on to explain how yeast feed viruses and how he thinks those two things are my biggest problems.
"Have you always had such a scratchy voice?" he asks (something that's noticeably worse lately).
"How's your breathing?"
For 45 minutes, we go over all of it--my 5 inch medical history, where it started, my exhaustion, what "better" looks like, how it's impacting me. The longer we talk, the worse I feel...not physically, but emotionally. Yes. I'm improving. Yes (he reminds me). I still have a long way to go.
With authority, he orders a throat culture, a colonoscopy, more labs, and a trip to the Dermatologist. He thinks they should look at the lump that's been forming on my head (something I've been concerned about). Then, he throws in the kicker.
"You need to be back on Antivirals..triple quadruple the amount you were taking."
"REALLY?" I question. "They made me feel terrible."
"They WOULD make you feel terrible," he says. "That's the good news and bad news."
(Translation: Feeling bad = they're working).
He also wants me back on antibiotics....something I really don't want to do.
His diagnosis?
- Infectious Mononucleosis
-Fibromyalgia
-Walking Pneumonia
-Lyme
-Cytomegalovirus Disease
(and a host of other things)
For now, I'm sticking with GU and UVBI treatments, but will do further testing as requested. In six weeks, if I am not better or still improving, I'll consider other options. In the meantime, I'm grateful to find a Primary Care Physician who a) understands Lyme/viruses b) treats chronic patients c) can order labs and d) is in network.
Altered Today: PCP, options, definition of health
Oh Kathy, reading this made my heart sink. I know how determined you are to kick Lyme's ass and I know you will do it! Love you and thinking about you!
Posted by: Laina | 10/07/2011 at 04:03 AM
First of all, seeing a new doc is a big deal. I hope he can bring some new insight to the table that will really benefit you. I'm glad to hear that he was understanding.
Secondly, I also just read the post about your insurance company, which must be why you are going to a new doc. Or least a primary reason. I won't even go there :/
Thirdly, I'm SO sorry to hear about your virus levels. I empathize with you very much! I have battled the same thing for a long time myself. CMV and EBV were high again for me back in the summer and I felt absolutley awful. All those viral infections on top of Lyme... Well, there just really are no words.
Lastly, know that I'm thinking about you and caring very much. Love you, friend. (((Hugs)))
Posted by: Michelle Holderman | 10/07/2011 at 05:28 PM