Boy did I ever get a surprise last night! AND NOT A GOOD ONE! I was just ready to go to bed, but I ended up running to the bathroom and started vomiting so hard that I seriously was sure I had broken every rib in my body. Then the vomiting changed over to pure stomach acid then on to dry heaves. I went from the beginning of vomiting to back to bed in about a 3 hour-period, but it was at least another hour before I fell asleep.
The last time I was on this antibiotic my dosage was 400mg, this time, however the dosage is 900mg. Add this to the research pain relief medication and it is mush more likely for me to become physically sick.
I'm just so thankful that Jeff was home to help me to calm down, get me back to bed, and provide a cool, damp washrag.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Educational Update on Lyme's Symptoms
Hi Everyone!
I thought I would provide an educational update on the stages of symptoms of Lyme Disease. I am functioning in the third and fourth stages of symptoms. Take note of the section highlighted yellow below. I am also having additional symptoms including hair loss, which I have noticed through random pieces of hair on my pillow, a brush full of hair, and hair covering the shower drain, everyday. One of the symptoms, I had read somewhere or heard from someone is that a Lyme's symptom is hair loss like an individual suffering from chemotherapy treatments. I continue to thank you all for your love and support. I can't imagine facing this time of my life without all of you.
Love you all ~ Sydni
If you are bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease bacteria, a circular skin rash often develops at the site of the tick bite within a month. The rash slowly expands and may become very large. Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, sore muscles and joints, fever and chills, and swollen lymph nodes, also may occur. Lyme disease develops in three stages.
Early localized Lyme disease usually occurs 3 days to about a month after being bitten. If Lyme disease is not detected and treated properly during the early localized stage, the infection may progress to the second or third stages of Lyme disease and involve the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart.
Early disseminated Lyme disease is the second stage. It may develop several weeks or months after you become infected and can cause:
- Skin problems, such as an expanding, circular rash at the site of the bite. Additional rashes can then develop on other parts of your body as the infection spreads. More serious skin problems from Lyme disease are rare in the United States but can include swelling in the earlobes and near the nipples, and severe thinning of the skin on the hands and feet.
- Joint problems, which are common and include brief episodes of pain, redness, and swelling in one or more large joints—most often the knee. Joint symptoms usually improve with antibiotic treatment.
- Early nervous system problems, such as pain and weakness in the arms and legs caused by nerve inflammation.
- Heart problems, most commonly a slow or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Heart problems caused by Lyme disease are rare and are even more rare if you did not already have a weakened heart before you got Lyme disease.
Late persistent Lyme disease is the last and often the most serious stage of the disease. It may develop weeks, months, or, in rare cases, years after the initial infection and can cause:
- Joint problems, such as early arthritis that most often affects the knee. A small number of people eventually develop chronic Lyme arthritis, which usually improves with antibiotic treatment. But joints that have been badly damaged may take a long time to heal or may not respond to antibiotic treatment. In some cases, surgery to remove the lining of the affected joint (synovectomy) may be necessary.
- Late nervous system problems, such as pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms or legs that can occur when the bacterial infection has spread to the nerves or spinal cord. Severe headaches, fatigue, or problems with vision, hearing, memory, concentration, and thinking can also develop. Serious nervous system problems can cause severe headache and stiff neck due to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis); paralysis of the nerves that control the muscles in the face; and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). These problems sometimes go away on their own, but if they do not, they usually improve after antibiotic treatment.
- Heart problems, which are rare, but can occur months to even years after being bitten by an infected tick. The most serious heart problems—such as inflammation of the structures surrounding the heart (pericarditis)—usually resolve without any permanent damage. Unfortunately, heart problems can be the first sign of Lyme disease in a small number of people who did not have early symptoms.
Later symptoms of untreated Lyme disease, such as joint problems, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, severe fatigue, or difficulties with memory and thinking, may seem like other illnesses such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Yesterday
Yesterday my parents had to put Quasey to sleep. She had numerous seizures and she had the four worst ones my mother had seen. The doctor said there really wasn't anything else, so the best thing for her was to let her good.
On a much happier note we had the chance to meet Jen's (my sister) new boyfriend, Brian last night. It's so surprising that we have so many similar interests. Last night we figured out that we are on the Storm Spotter team in Washington. Who knows what other interests we all share. First above all, Brian is a Follower of Jesus...Jen's #1 priority.
syd
On a much happier note we had the chance to meet Jen's (my sister) new boyfriend, Brian last night. It's so surprising that we have so many similar interests. Last night we figured out that we are on the Storm Spotter team in Washington. Who knows what other interests we all share. First above all, Brian is a Follower of Jesus...Jen's #1 priority.
syd
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Jesus Please Help Me
Dear Jesus,
Things are really becoming a struggle. Physically moving around is frightening, especially the idea of falling down the stairs when no one is home. No matter how much security I give myself by carrying my cell phone, if I fall it could get broken under me or slide out of my reaching distance; then I right back to were I began... home alone.
I am having a terrible time keeping my feet under me. I'm sure I look like a circus clown walking all goofy like with a cane wobbling and hospital gown wide open in the back mooning half the town. My muscles just keep screaming regardless to things folks suggests I try, such as exercise, walking, or even bathing. For example, Dr. Purtle, my chiropractor, and Callie, my massage therapist, have both suggested a warm relaxing bath. Believe me, I am very fond of their 'bath' idea, except for one problem... how do I get out of the tub? I need to get a forklift company on speed dial in my cell phone. Ha ha!
As for my actual chiropractic appointments and massage therapy appointments, they are wonderful. I wish that they would just let me move in so whenever they had a free moment I could get spoiled with whatever treatment they deemed necessary.
I have noticed problems with my speech and my hearing abilities. I probably should get them both tested, but that would require some money to do so.
Presently I am participating in a morphine related/opioid based research study. This study is to access how well "Embeda" (the morphine based medication) controls my personal pain level. I also have Morphine pills that serve as immediate release pain medication when the Embeda isn't working.
I am also on to my third antibiotic and whew, it is really rough on my system. I have aches and pains, I can't get comfortable, I'm having trouble breathing, I'm using the quad cane to walk, I can't drive, I am completely dependent on someone else; and that's just a portion of my Lyme's Disease.
Well Lord, as you know we are looking at getting a referral to see Dr. Crist, a Lyme's Specialist, in Columbia, MO. Lord, we have heard wonderful things about Dr. Crist, and we trust that if I am to have Dr. Crist as my doctor, then you will place me safely in the palms of his hands.
In Your Name We Pray ~
Sydni & Jeff
Things are really becoming a struggle. Physically moving around is frightening, especially the idea of falling down the stairs when no one is home. No matter how much security I give myself by carrying my cell phone, if I fall it could get broken under me or slide out of my reaching distance; then I right back to were I began... home alone.
I am having a terrible time keeping my feet under me. I'm sure I look like a circus clown walking all goofy like with a cane wobbling and hospital gown wide open in the back mooning half the town. My muscles just keep screaming regardless to things folks suggests I try, such as exercise, walking, or even bathing. For example, Dr. Purtle, my chiropractor, and Callie, my massage therapist, have both suggested a warm relaxing bath. Believe me, I am very fond of their 'bath' idea, except for one problem... how do I get out of the tub? I need to get a forklift company on speed dial in my cell phone. Ha ha!
As for my actual chiropractic appointments and massage therapy appointments, they are wonderful. I wish that they would just let me move in so whenever they had a free moment I could get spoiled with whatever treatment they deemed necessary.
I have noticed problems with my speech and my hearing abilities. I probably should get them both tested, but that would require some money to do so.
Presently I am participating in a morphine related/opioid based research study. This study is to access how well "Embeda" (the morphine based medication) controls my personal pain level. I also have Morphine pills that serve as immediate release pain medication when the Embeda isn't working.
I am also on to my third antibiotic and whew, it is really rough on my system. I have aches and pains, I can't get comfortable, I'm having trouble breathing, I'm using the quad cane to walk, I can't drive, I am completely dependent on someone else; and that's just a portion of my Lyme's Disease.
Well Lord, as you know we are looking at getting a referral to see Dr. Crist, a Lyme's Specialist, in Columbia, MO. Lord, we have heard wonderful things about Dr. Crist, and we trust that if I am to have Dr. Crist as my doctor, then you will place me safely in the palms of his hands.
In Your Name We Pray ~
Sydni & Jeff
Monday, February 14, 2011
Hopes & Prayers
I've been doing a lot of thinking and it is time for me to share with you some of my deepest hopes & prayers.
My medications are changing like crazy. I've changed antibiotics three times and narcotic pain medications twice. The dosage of all my medication has changed at some point. I am presently participating in a pain medication trial. Some days it seems to make a huge difference, yet there are other days where I would easily beg someone to just run me over with their car.
I am continuing with chiropractic treatments and massage therapy. I get adjusted at least once a week and massaged about once a month. Let me tell you, I would LOVE to just live in their office and get adjusted and massaged. Wouldn't that be a dream come true?!
Here is the Major Hopes & Prayers Part...
There is a Lyme's Disease Specialist in Columbia, Missouri by the name of Dr. Charles Crist. He has a great rep in the Peoria, IL with other individuals that presently have Lyme's or have been through a variety of stages. My personal physician is more than willing to give me a referral to see Dr. Crist, however, I need to check with my insurance to see it Dr. Crist is in our network. If so, then I'm sure I will at least get the referral from my personal physician. It is just a week and see operation. I truly need as many prayers as humanly possible in this area. My hope is to get healthy from this chronic disease so I can get back to serving Jesus Christ according to His Will.
Thank You & God Bless!
Love,
Sydni
My medications are changing like crazy. I've changed antibiotics three times and narcotic pain medications twice. The dosage of all my medication has changed at some point. I am presently participating in a pain medication trial. Some days it seems to make a huge difference, yet there are other days where I would easily beg someone to just run me over with their car.
I am continuing with chiropractic treatments and massage therapy. I get adjusted at least once a week and massaged about once a month. Let me tell you, I would LOVE to just live in their office and get adjusted and massaged. Wouldn't that be a dream come true?!
Here is the Major Hopes & Prayers Part...
There is a Lyme's Disease Specialist in Columbia, Missouri by the name of Dr. Charles Crist. He has a great rep in the Peoria, IL with other individuals that presently have Lyme's or have been through a variety of stages. My personal physician is more than willing to give me a referral to see Dr. Crist, however, I need to check with my insurance to see it Dr. Crist is in our network. If so, then I'm sure I will at least get the referral from my personal physician. It is just a week and see operation. I truly need as many prayers as humanly possible in this area. My hope is to get healthy from this chronic disease so I can get back to serving Jesus Christ according to His Will.
Thank You & God Bless!
Love,
Sydni
Saturday, February 12, 2011
My Blond Moment Corrected :)
Okay, let me clear this up for ALL of us...
When I first started taking antibiotics back in October my doctor ordered Doxycycline 400mg total a day. Than when I started my second round on antibiotics in January my doctor ordered Ceftin 500mg in the morning and in the evening. Unfortunately, the Ceftin did not work as well as we had hoped. In the first 3 week period my Lyme's comp level dropped from 38 - 37; one whole point...yippy! So, my doctor decided to end the 7 weeks time period of Ceftin. She started me on a higher dosage of Doxycycline. I will be now taking 900mg per day.
Hope this helps clear up some of the confusion associated with the antibiotic medication.
Feel free to ask any question you might have!
Love ~ Sydnu
When I first started taking antibiotics back in October my doctor ordered Doxycycline 400mg total a day. Than when I started my second round on antibiotics in January my doctor ordered Ceftin 500mg in the morning and in the evening. Unfortunately, the Ceftin did not work as well as we had hoped. In the first 3 week period my Lyme's comp level dropped from 38 - 37; one whole point...yippy! So, my doctor decided to end the 7 weeks time period of Ceftin. She started me on a higher dosage of Doxycycline. I will be now taking 900mg per day.
Hope this helps clear up some of the confusion associated with the antibiotic medication.
Feel free to ask any question you might have!
Love ~ Sydnu
Friday, February 11, 2011
Doctor Update from February 10, 2010
Hi Everyone! I pray that your February is off to a great start! May God's love surround you and remind you of the true meaning of "loving one another as we want to be loved ourselves."
Yesterday I went back to Dr. Knight's office to receive the comp levels from my Lyme's blood test the week prior. Three weeks ago Dr. Knight started me on a new antibiotic (Ceftin), but unfortunately it didn't work. Prior to starting the Ceftin my blood level was at 38. Three weeks into taking the medication my level was only 37.
This is very frustrating because the goal is to get the comp level to stay under 20. This can be a very long term process since my case is very chronic. We just keep praying for God's healing hands over me.
Dr. Knight is starting me on a new antibiotic, but I apologize, I can't remember the name or dosage of it. Jeff is (God willing) picking them up tonight. We have had a very difficult time getting my Lyme's medications lately. Drives us crazy!!! Once I have the info, I'll post it for you.
We are looking into possible other treatment. There is a Lyme's Specialist in Missouri. Our plan is to try one month of the new antibiotic and then look into a referral to this specialist. We are just following God's plan. We have been blessed to meet some folks recently that go to Missouri to see this doctor and they are all having significant improvement. This gives me a sense of hope.
Well, at this point we are trusting in the Lord and asking that He truly opens His heart to any and all prayers. Thanks to you all for serving as prayer warriors, supporters, and for loving Jeff and our family.
We love you all dearly,
Sydni
Yesterday I went back to Dr. Knight's office to receive the comp levels from my Lyme's blood test the week prior. Three weeks ago Dr. Knight started me on a new antibiotic (Ceftin), but unfortunately it didn't work. Prior to starting the Ceftin my blood level was at 38. Three weeks into taking the medication my level was only 37.
This is very frustrating because the goal is to get the comp level to stay under 20. This can be a very long term process since my case is very chronic. We just keep praying for God's healing hands over me.
Dr. Knight is starting me on a new antibiotic, but I apologize, I can't remember the name or dosage of it. Jeff is (God willing) picking them up tonight. We have had a very difficult time getting my Lyme's medications lately. Drives us crazy!!! Once I have the info, I'll post it for you.
We are looking into possible other treatment. There is a Lyme's Specialist in Missouri. Our plan is to try one month of the new antibiotic and then look into a referral to this specialist. We are just following God's plan. We have been blessed to meet some folks recently that go to Missouri to see this doctor and they are all having significant improvement. This gives me a sense of hope.
Well, at this point we are trusting in the Lord and asking that He truly opens His heart to any and all prayers. Thanks to you all for serving as prayer warriors, supporters, and for loving Jeff and our family.
We love you all dearly,
Sydni
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