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The Lyme Disease diagnosis is used to encompass more than Lyme Disease sometimes. Some people use it to refer to being infected with the bacteria Borrelia Burgdorferi. Others use the Lyme Disease label to refer to the bacteria and the other co-infections that you can get when being bitten by a tick. Such as Babesia, Bartonella, and Erlichia. I prefer to call them Tick Borne Diseases (TBD). I got bit July 2010 at the age of 27 either in Northern Nevada or Folsom, CA (I drove from Nevada to Folsom, but noticed the bite in Folsom) and saw a doctor immediately since my ankle swelled up so much I couldn't walk on it. I was given 7 days of bactrim and went home. Symptoms came on slowly. Loss of sleep, loss of energy, loss of libido, head pressure, heart palpitations, parts of my body feeling numb and shaking, and severe brain fog. I thought I was going to be bed ridden. Over 2 1/2 years after I got bit and 8 doctors later, I tested positive for Lyme Disease (Borrelia Burgdorferi) and Babesia. Borrelia Burgdorferi is a spirochete similar to Syphilis and Babesia is a protozoa similar to Malaria. The Babesia strain that I tested positive for is the WA-1 strain (Babesia Duncani) and is more difficult to treat vs Babesia Microti. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago. I am still treating Babesia now. My life is so much better, but I still have many of the symptoms. I make quinine from ground up Cinchona bark and make a tea since my doctor won't prescribe quinine to me because he thinks the quinine side effects are too severe. If I stop taking quinine, my brain fog returns, I lose sleep, and my hands start to shake like crazy. I also take Alinia and Azithromycin. The cinchona bark has really helped me get through the day at work. I am seeing a new doctor next Monday, but my journey still continues. This is the craziest thing that ever happened to me and I never heard of it before I was diagnosed. My suggestion is if you ever get bit, is to request 4 weeks of Doxycycline. Otherwise, if the tick carries these diseases, it could cost you at least 5 figures out of pocket and change your life dramatically. Many people who get sick lose their jobs, their spouses, and friends. Many doctors in Northern California don't believe that the disease exists in California. Sonoma County has tested the ticks in their area since the 80s and have found ticks carrying the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria all over. Unfortunately, not all doctors are informed of that. |