I received the following information from Dr. Burrascano’s website. It was also brought to my attention from other Lymies as well as my new Lyme Literate Doctor. It is so comforting to know I am not crazy!
Dr. Burrascano is considered to be a HERO in the world of Lyme disease.
Below is a list of lyme disease symptoms.
CHECK LIST OF CURRENT SYMPTOMS: This is not meant to be used as a diagnostic scheme, but is provided to streamline the office interview. Note the format complaints referable to specific organ systems and specific co-infections are clustered to clarify diagnoses and to better display multisystem involvement.
Have you had any of the following in relation to this illness? (CIRCLE “NO” OR “YES”)
I stated YES in BOLD next to my symptoms.
Tick bite N Y “EM” rash (discrete circle) N YES
Spotted rash over large area N Y Linear, red streaks N YES
CURRENT SEVERITY CURRENT FREQUENCY
SYMPTOM OR SIGN NONE MILD MODERATE SEVERE NA NEVER OCCASIONAL OFTEN CONSTANT
Persistent swollen glands- YES
Sore throat- YES
Fevers- YES
Sore soles, esp. in the AM
Joint pain in:
Fingers, toes- YES
Ankles, wrists- YES
Knees, elbows- YES
Hips, shoulders- YES
Joint swelling in:
Fingers, toes- YES
Ankles, wrists- YES
Knees, elbows- YES
Hips, shoulders- YES
Unexplained back pain- YES
Stiffness of the joints or back -YES
Muscle pain or cramps- YES
Obvious muscle weakness- YES
Twitching of the face or other muscles- YES
Confusion, difficulty thinking- YES
Difficulty with concentration, reading, problem absorbing new information- YES
Word search, name block- YES
Forgetfulness, poor short term memory, poor attention- YES
Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places- YES
Speech errors- wrong word, misspeaking- YES
Mood swings, irritability, depression-YES
Anxiety, panic attacks- YES
Psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, bipolar)
Tremor
Seizures
Headache- YES
Light sensitivity- YES
Sound sensitivity- occasional YES
Vision: double, blurry, floaters- YES
Ear pain
CURRENT SEVERITY CURRENT FREQUENCY
SYMPTOM OR SIGN NONE MILD MODERATE SEVERE NA NEVER OCCASIONAL OFTEN CONSTANT
Hearing: buzzing, ringing, decreased hearing- YES
Increased motion sickness, vertigo, spinning- YES
Off balance, “tippy” feeling- YES
light-headedness, wooziness, unavoidable need to sit or lie- YES
Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains, skin hypersensitivity – YES
Facial paralysis-Bell’s Palsy
Dental pain YES (started six months into treatment while treating Bartonella)
Neck creaks and cracks, stiffness, neck pain- YES
Fatigue, tired, poor stamina- YES
Insomnia, fractionated sleep, early awakening- YES
Excessive night-time sleep- YES
Napping during the day- YES
Unexplained weight gain- YES
Unexplained weight loss- YES
Unexplained hair loss
Pain in genital area
Unexplained menstrual irregularity.
Unexplained milk production;breast pain
Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction
Loss of libido- YES
Queasy stomach or nausea- YES
Heartburn, stomach pain- YES
Constipation- YES
Diarrhea
Low abdominal pain, cramps- YES
Heart murmur or valve prolapse
Heart palpitations or skips- YES
“Heart block” on EKG
Chest wall pain or ribs sore- YES
Head congestion- YES
Breathlessness, “air hunger”, unexplained chronic cough- YES
Night sweats- YES
Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol- YES
Symptom flares every 4 wks.- YES
Degree of disability- YES
Yet every doctor I saw over the years said there was nothing seriously wrong with me. ”Part of getting older.” ”Residual effects of Lyme Disease.” ”You need to see a Psychiatrist.” ”You are researching too much- you are not a doctor.” ”It’s all in your head.”
I wasn’t going to believe them…….
The eyes of understanding. Charlie Girl is my 'in home' 24/7 caregiver. She knows when I am not feeling well and never leaves my side.