This 62 year old female went to a local ER complaining of a bite and a painful red rash with a high fever. She looked toxic and was admitted to the hospital. The rash was somewhat mysterious. She was seen by three different ID doctors who ultimately diagnosed staph cellulitis secondary to the bite of a Brown Recluse Spider. Neat diagnosis. After a few days she was discharged from the hospital.
She developed other symptoms and sought care elsewhere: joint pain, brain fog, severe headaches, numbness and tingling and others. She had periods of frank confusion. At times she was unable to speak.
Two LLMDS diagnosed Lyme and Babesia. She was treated aggressively, inclusive of several months of intravenous Rocephin. Eighteen months later, 70% improved, she walked into my office.
She was treated another 7 months. That was two years ago.
Today she came in for a non-Lyme issue - in complete remission for two years.
Brown Recluse Spiders do not live in Maryland. Their habitat includes the Midwest and the south.
Even if they lived here - they are generally docile and bites are rare. But they don't live in Maryland. Never have.
Still, this is a common diagnosis.
Brilliant.
5 comments:
It is truly frightening to hear these stories.
A friend of mine has been symptomatic for a few years and recently tested positive for Lyme on a western blot. The local ID doc gave her 30 days of antibiotics. When she still had symptoms after completing the 30 days the ID doc told her that the remaining symptoms will gradually subside on their own over the next 1-2 years.
Wouldn't that be nice!
Dr. Jaller... I was not sure where to add this comment... I wanted you to take a look at this link:
http://lymebook.com/blog/research-news/artemisinin-herx-reactions-artemesia-annua-babesia-babesiosis/
It is really very interesting... talks a lot of the different herbal supplements that are used in Lyme, and also mentions a new supplement that is a "brother" to Artemesinin. Take a look. - Your Patient, Katie
Brown recluse are also in Utah. My brother sets out the sticky pads to trap them. If you try to use pesticides/spray the spiders will just go higher up to get away from the chemicals.
I was wondering if you have any availability to treat new patients - I've been seeing another LLMD for almost three years and, even though I feel better, I feel like my progress has completely stopped. My husband and I want to have children and they keep putting me off with alternative treatments that make no change. I'm pretty desperate at this point.
I love the 'Brilliant' comment. I have 3 friends who developed Lyme carditis and all three had strokes from arrhythmia that occured when they were asleep. All of their heart doctors were confused by the fact that all three were athletic, had strong hearts and no previous conditions. One is dead, one is vegetative and the other is half what he used to be.
Thank you for your enthusium for further educating not only yourself but we 'Lymies' too.
We need to see a light at the end of the tunnel now and then.
I've cured myself twice (re-itten after two years) by my own protocol based on what eliminates immediate symptons. Doxy for sore joints, sore bottoms of the feet, fatigue. Tindomax/Minocycline for brain fog/headaches,tingly 'bug bites. Bactrin for digestive distress. Minocycline/Doxy for heart arrhythmia.
Short quick bicycle ride a half hour after taking any of these as aerobic exercise makes abx work 13 times better when it opens up all my capillaries.
I'm 63 and restore old houses and have been hanging and finishing drywall for the last 3 weeks with no pain even though 5 weeks ago I couldn't get out of bed.
Post a Comment