IgeneX says:

[cjsmith]

Lyme disease.

Comments

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Wait. This means you can haz it?

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

Well, roll me up and call me curly.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

According to the CDC, no; I am not positive on enough of the bands. However, the CDC standards kick out some stunning percentage (40%? 60%?) of the people who had a characteristic bullseye rash and fever!

According to IGeneX, yes, I can haz.

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

Seeing how one of my partners has it, I know Lyme disease is a real pain. I really hope the diagnosis is false, 'cause I'd never wish Lyme on anybody!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too.

I'd been presuming that if I had it, I'd caught it in Georgia in the Army in '91. (Last I remembered, from vague info 15-20 years ago, it was nearly unknown west of the Rockies.) But I just learned tonight that Lyme-infected ticks have been found in most counties of California. So maybe I caught it during my major backpacking phase.

I just now went back through my LJ for the time before the pain got bad, late fall of '03, and I didn't even have the "flulike symptoms". I didn't in '91 either, and back then, I was paying attention, because I had ticks all over me. I'm definitely an atypical case.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm actually kind of hoping it's correct, because a) if I have it I know I've had it for at least 5 years and more likely 17, and it's not getting worse, and b) my foot pain might respond to treatment. I know a) makes me a very lucky case (if I do have it).

[pure-agnostic.livejournal.com]

Oh! Okay. That's a take on the situation I hadn't considered. At least you'd have know what ails you instead of wondering, fearing, and dealing with the uncertitude.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

wow. Bizarre. Congratulations. Something.

and here, have some bonus cute (http://www.flickr.com/photos/puffinart/100394707/)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

In my experience, knowing and dealing with the outcome is so much better than not knowing.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

wow. Bizarre. Congratulations. Something.

Yeah, that's about what I'm thinking. Something. Definitely something, but I'm not sure what. :-)

YAY for bonus cute!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

*nod*. I suspect anyone who has spent years battling something without knowing what it is would grok why I was actually a little bit excited to read the report. Unhappy too, sure, but... yeah.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Plus I know I've been very lucky so far. If indeed this report is correct and I have Lyme, and if indeed (as seems most likely) I've had it for nearly two decades, I'm amazingly fortunate that all I got out of it was chronic pain, a permanent handicap hang-tag, and a rework of what I want out of life. It could have been SO much worse. My brain still works. My heart still works. *shiver*

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Amen to that! In the last 18 months I've been correctly (finally!) diagnosed with 3 different conditions/syndromes that have seriously affecting my quality of life since I was a toddler.

Now if they could find a cure for allergies...I'd be perfect.

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Hey, if you can prove you got it while in the Army, you may qualify for benefits....

worth thinking about.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Probably from 2002 or 3 though, since you didn't feel bad until then.
Nice if they can fix you though.
At least then you can stand on your feet and do all the vet work!

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Let's hope this is a constructive diagnosis with some nice *cures* attached. But in any case, it's better than battling fog.

[evilegg.livejournal.com]

I had lyme slushie disease all last summer. It gave me chills, and turned my tongue green, and gave me the sugar shits. :(

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Well, I would never wish an actual disease on anyone, I don't think my karma could stand it. :) But I would love for you to get an actual diagnosis that can lead to a real treatment, so I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

A diagnosis is a good thing.

[wooddragon.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I understand the relief of finally knowing something, maybe mixed with a little concern.

[samtosha.livejournal.com]

I agree; having information to be able to start to narrow your choices and responses makes a HUGE difference in being able to deal with that situation. Yes, it is a shock to hear "We have a problem, you have a brain tumor" BUT I finally had answers. My hope for you is that this answer helps you get an effective course of treatment. Good luck!

[joedecker.livejournal.com]

I suspect anyone who has spent years battling something without knowing what it is....

Indeed. Congratulations, and crossed fingers for you.

[ashiegrrrl.livejournal.com]

While I can't consider this good, I do know what a relief a diagnosis can be so you can start treatment to see if it will help with relief.

*hugs*

[tryslora]

Have you gotten the blood taken for the testing? My thoughts are all excited congratulations on an answer and a direction and all omg!condolences and thanking gods it's not worth and ... and ... *HUGS* Because those are for both the good and the bad.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I thought of that all night, and sadly, I don't think there's any way to prove that. Personally, I'm pretty sure of it, but that's not proof.

My ROTC "deal" is getting less good by the minute, though. :/