So I am excited and scared, relieved and overwhelmed

[Mama Geek]

One more thing I thought I would throw in, they make a lyme vaccine for dogs, I am not sure about cats. After battling lyme with my last dog we will keep our current dog and any future dogs up to date on lyme vaccines.

[elegantlion]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Many, many positive thoughts going your way.

[kaylk in tx]

When we were invaded by ticks a few years ago, this was the only thing that worked! Luckily Lyme is not usually a problem around here.

[ktgrok]

All wrapped up together.

 

Also, does anyone have recommendations for dogs? They are bringing ticks into our house. Frontline and all those heavy pesticides will be a last resort. i will be asking the Lymes literate doctors about this.

 

:crying:

 

Honestly, frontline is really very safe. But even better for ticks is a preventic collar...they are just for ticks, do nothing for fleas, but work REALLY well and are inexpensive. If you have a LOT of ticks change them every 6 weeks instead of every 3 months though. And treat your yard.

[Denisemomof4]

:grouphug: I am sorry you are going through this. I am friends with a man that had what doctors considered one of the worst cases. Him and his son both had Lyme's. One thing they learned through a trial study was the reason people have such a hard time getting over it is because after treatment when the symptoms start to come back rather than wait it out doctor's would start treatment again. They said the time right after treatment the symptoms are the worst but if you can ride it out and not start another cycle of treatment than it will cure you. This man battled for ten years. After doing this he was cured an has never had another problem. Neither has his son. HTH

 

Denise,

 

I don't post often, but I have followed your story over the years. I'm so glad to hear that you finally have an answer. :grouphug:

 

Diann

Thank you two SO MUCH.

 

i just logged on to see if I got anymore responses but I am so emotional right now. I can't read the rest of the responses.

 

I will check back later!:grouphug:

[GailV]

:grouphug::grouphug:

 

Dh is dealing with this. He had been diagnosed with MS back in the 90s; but last year got a diagnosis of Lymes, which probably began when we lived in New Hampshire in the 80s.

 

He was seeking answers for increasing pain and mobility issues when he got the new diagnosis. Since starting treatment for Lymes, the pain has been reduced. However, he's far from cured. He has also noticed that he's much calmer now. Lymes (and MS, for that matter) can definitely affect how one's mind works.

 

Interestingly, many of the ways he treated his MS also help with Lymes. Perhaps that helped slow the progression of the disease all of these years. My understanding is that you must both kill off the Lymes AND rebuild what has been destroyed, so I think of it as a 2-step process.

Edited June 29, 2012 by GailV

[Tammyla]

I hope everyone responds well to treatment...even the pets.

[Laurie4b]

Google around about reducing tick habitat.

 

Part 1 is to reduce habitat where deer or white-footed mice are happy--it could mean fencing off lot of property for deer. (One thing my father does is run a single strand of electric wire around his garden, with metal strips folded over it. Put peanut butter on the metal strips, so the electricity zaps them in the mouth when they lick it. Has more impact than a buzz on the flank or something.) For mice, avoid wood piles near the house, etc.

 

Part 2 is to reduce tick habitat. Since ticks live in wooded areas and then climb up long grass to grasp mammals, if possible, create a tickfree-habitat around the areas you are outside--a barrier between the woods and lawn and keep your grass cut low.

Ticks don't hang in short grass very much.

 

Part 3 is to make it hard for them to attach to you. When outside, wear light colored pants tucked in socks (both to deny entry and so you can see them) and shower when you come in. (Showering may rinse off unattached ticks and gives you a time to see them.)

[Lisa in Jax]

Thanks!!! We bought two 25lb bags of food grade DE last week. Today it is dry enough to spread it. Dh and I will be wearing masks to be safe.

 

Will it kill off the frogs and toads? :sad:

 

I feel so bad that it's going to kill the good with the bad. Dd's like to collect fireflies in a jar. The ones in the grass are an easy catch.;)

 

Btw, I will be in touch. Dd has agreed.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:thank you SO much!!!

 

FWIW, we actually put it ON the dogs, not the ground.... :)

 

RE: DD -- :) Do you still have my number?

 

Li

[Flowing Brook]

our vet said for ticks we should bathe the dogs in dawn dish soap. It seems to work we have nine dogs and I have yet to see ticks or fleas on our dogs. It is a bad year for ticks I clean house for a family that has five dogs that come in the house and every time I go over there without fail I have ticks all over me. However none on my dogs.

[Sparkle]

Denise, I'm happy that you are finally getting some answers, and hopefully treatment soon that will resolve your dd's problems :grouphug:

 

I know 2 women who are going through aggressive treatment for tick-borne disease right now. It's been a rough road, but they are improving and feeling hopeful. If you want me to ask any questions, or put you in touch with one of them, let me know.

[justamouse]

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

I think you may just have to use the frontline for the dogs.

[Denisemomof4]

:grouphug: You will get through this. It will be a bumpy road, but you can do it. I remember the excitement, the fear, all of it... of being just diagnosed after years of not knowing what was wrong and going to specialist after specialist.

 

In fact, I wonder if the LLMD you saw speak might be the same who left me in tears, with answers, years ago. That was in 2005, and I was diagnosed with MS and DH and I were looking for a one story home as he could not keep carrying me up and down the stairs. Lyme and co-infection treatment gave me a life again! It took 4.5 years of treatment, it was a hard road, but worth it. I think now, with what my LLMD has learned, my treatment would be shorter. (And, by the way, I am now actually in treatment again, for one remaining co-infection.) Had I been diagnosed years earlier, I would not have the lifelong consequences that I do now. But, I do have a life! And your family will, too!

 

Does your daughter have bartonella? (You don't have to answer that here, for privacy, of course.)... If so, I found bartonella treatment harder than some of the other co-infections. Be mentally prepared for that. Bart seems to hit teens hard, too, and a lot of the symptoms seem to mimic mental illness in teens. Our family has some unfortunate experience there.

 

Follow all directions to a T. Don't ever neglect making sure your kiddo (and everyone else on treatment) takes probiotics. And adding in S. Boulardii would be very, very wise. A good S. Boulardii is Florastor, available at CVS. It is a beneficial yeast that will help prevent C Diff. We all stay so focused on avoiding candida, that it's easy to forget to monitor the overgrowth of C Diff, which is scary, painful, and can derail Lyme treatment (yes, I had that experience, too, ouch!). Take all the supplements for reducing inflammation and herxing recommended. They will help.

 

And... Don't overlook the new protozoa recently discovered by Dr. F in AZ. Protomyxozoa Rheumatica. I am treating for it now, and hoping that it will alleviate my remaining symptoms (fatigue and migraines).

 

You are welcome to pm me, if more support would be helpful. I know you have lots already, but it's always good to have another brain in one's corner. :)

 

For ticks on the animals... You have suggestions already, but I don't think I saw anyone mention Damminix Tick Tubes. Dr B (the big LLMD) recommends those, if you have property. They are very helpful in reducing tick populations over time.

 

Oh! One more note - my LLMD also advocates treating tick bites. Waiting till symptoms show can mean that the spirochetes are already wreaking havoc on one's immune system, allowing the other co-infections to take hold. I am so grateful, living in a Lyme endemic area, to have our LLMD on board, and that she treated my son with 30 days of abx, when we needed it. I know there are people who disagree with that approach, but the lifetime of pain that Lyme has given me makes me take it as very serious threat to the well-being of my family. If we were not in an endemic area, I might have a different view on that issue.

 

:grouphug: Hang in there. Knowing is half the battle!

 

Yes, bartonella is one she has. Can you please share what the affects of treatment were?

 

i am so sorry you have experienced this. I am just SOOOOOOOOOOOO scared for dd12 right now. She leads a normal life and doesn't give in to her fatigue. I have forced a queiter schedule since she became too weak to keep up with synchronized swim. Did your family's treatment completely incompacitate you?

 

Also, thank you for your offer to help. I am sure I will be in touch.

[Denisemomof4]

I do think our chickens have helped keep the tick population down some on our property. I still see check us. I had my dogs groomed the other day and the groomer found 3 ticks on one dog, and none on the other. I said "Sorry you had to deal with that!" (Ticks are everywhere here). She said, "No. It was great. That's the fewest I've taken off any dogs lately. I couldn't believe your other dog didn't have any. I had one dog the other day with 40 ticks." Can you imagine? This is not a cheap grooming place, so most of the dogs would be well-cared for, I would think. But the tick population here is crazy.

 

I have Lyme (caught and treated, and one of my dogs has been treated for Lyme. Her numbers are low, and she is very active and healthy. But not out of the woods by any means.

 

I hope you and your family get the treatment you need, and start to feel better soon!

 

One thing- Guineas are LOUD. Oh so very LOUD. I had to get rid of them. The the first one was hawk dinner, and I was grateful.

 

I am not surprised by your tick count. We have definitely removed several hundred between the two puppies this year. They don't seem to have any symptoms. Can you tell me how you knew your dog had Lymes?

 

I won't be telling dh about the guinea noise. He hates noise. I love birds. We need help. End of subject.;)

 

Our town is the worst in the entire state. Lucky us.

[Denisemomof4]

I think the exposure to your dd would be minimal. They have pills that dogs can take.

 

 

 

Now the question of the century.....why are there so few doctors who recognize and know how to treat LD?

 

And my family laughs at me over my tick phobia.

 

There is a huge controversy over LD in general. There are huge differences in opinion on how to treat it. The doctor I spoke to is well versed because he has spent his parental life trying to find adequate help and treatment for his own kids.

 

The few doctors who can help (FOUR in the state of Nh and we were told we have many more resources here than MA does!) are not covered by insurance. The one who is can't keep up with his case load so he is no longer accepting new patients. Treating three, possibly four, for lymes disease is goint to be EXTREMELY expensive.

 

I don't know what our future holds. It is so overwhelming that I only am able to let my thoughts go so far.

[Melissa in Australia]

I agree. The pesticides are a concern for dd12 as I was told her pineal cyst is a build up of toxins. :confused: so I really try to keep chemicals and exposure to a bare minimum.

 

Then what about not allowing the dogs in the house at all? they then could be treated for ticks and not bring the toxins into the house.

[Celia]

I have no words of advice, but just wanted to let you know that my heart totally goes out to you and your family. 2 of my friends children have chronic lyme, so I have an inkling of what you're going through. I'm happy you've found the culprit, and you'll certainly be in my thoughts as you go through treatment.

[Amber in AUS]

So sorry to hear what you and your family are facing but so pleased that you finally have answers and direction. I can no imagine how difficult the past years have been of knowing something is wrong and not finding any answers.

[mumto2]

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

 

So sorry to hear what you are going through!

[Denisemomof4]

One more thing I thought I would throw in, they make a lyme vaccine for dogs, I am not sure about cats. After battling lyme with my last dog we will keep our current dog and any future dogs up to date on lyme vaccines.

 

I wonder how accurate it is?

[Denisemomof4]

:grouphug::grouphug:

 

Dh is dealing with this. He had been diagnosed with MS back in the 90s; but last year got a diagnosis of Lymes, which probably began when we lived in New Hampshire in the 80s.

 

He was seeking answers for increasing pain and mobility issues when he got the new diagnosis. Since starting treatment for Lymes, the pain has been reduced. However, he's far from cured. He has also noticed that he's much calmer now. Lymes (and MS, for that matter) can definitely affect how one's mind works.

 

Interestingly, many of the ways he treated his MS also help with Lymes. Perhaps that helped slow the progression of the disease all of these years. My understanding is that you must both kill off the Lymes AND rebuild what has been destroyed, so I think of it as a 2-step process.

 

The doctor I saw said Lymes CAUSES MS. He said if you treat the Lymes, the Ms symptoms will go away. I hope your dh had Lymes before the MS because there is a chance his MS will go away from Lymes treatment!

 

lymes causes what can look like Chronoc Fatigue, Alzheimers, MS, ALS, ODD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and I think he said Parkinsons, along with GI issues like irritable bowel, etc.

[Denisemomof4]

Google around about reducing tick habitat.

 

Part 1 is to reduce habitat where deer or white-footed mice are happy--it could mean fencing off lot of property for deer. (One thing my father does is run a single strand of electric wire around his garden, with metal strips folded over it. Put peanut butter on the metal strips, so the electricity zaps them in the mouth when they lick it. Has more impact than a buzz on the flank or something.) For mice, avoid wood piles near the house, etc.

 

Part 2 is to reduce tick habitat. Since ticks live in wooded areas and then climb up long grass to grasp mammals, if possible, create a tickfree-habitat around the areas you are outside--a barrier between the woods and lawn and keep your grass cut low.

Ticks don't hang in short grass very much.

 

Part 3 is to make it hard for them to attach to you. When outside, wear light colored pants tucked in socks (both to deny entry and so you can see them) and shower when you come in. (Showering may rinse off unattached ticks and gives you a time to see them.)

 

The peanut butter is a good trick! We do keep our grass low but were infested anyway this year. Dh and I are going to dust the dogs and treat the yard with diamatAceous earth today.

 

I will also look into Preventic.

[Denisemomof4]

FWIW, we actually put it ON the dogs, not the ground.... :)

 

RE: DD -- :) Do you still have my number?

 

Li

 

I am going to dust them today. Thanks for this great idea!

 

Yes, I still have your #. Thanks!!!

[Denisemomof4]

our vet said for ticks we should bathe the dogs in dawn dish soap. It seems to work we have nine dogs and I have yet to see ticks or fleas on our dogs. It is a bad year for ticks I clean house for a family that has five dogs that come in the house and every time I go over there without fail I have ticks all over me. However none on my dogs.

 

How often do you bathe your dogs?

 

I have received other remedies as well for bathing. I will be giving them a try. The dogs aren't getting as many ticks now but the spring was the worst I had ever seen!

[Denisemomof4]

Denise, I'm happy that you are finally getting some answers, and hopefully treatment soon that will resolve your dd's problems :grouphug:

 

I know 2 women who are going through aggressive treatment for tick-borne disease right now. It's been a rough road, but they are improving and feeling hopeful. If you want me to ask any questions, or put you in touch with one of them, let me know.

 

Thank you. U fortunately, I know many people being treated for Lymes. :sad:

 

Dh. Started his treatment on Friday and it is half the recommended dose of meds until we see the Lymes Literate Doctor. It is causing symptoms that would really be too harsh on dd12.

 

I am going to check into the cure rate of a doctor in NY that treats using Traditinal Chinese Medicine. I need to see what the opinion is of him. The dr we saw last week gave me his name. Actually, there is no CURE but the patient goes into remission.

[StephanieZ]

I recommend putting Preventic collars on your dogs during all tick seasons, in addition to whatever topical or systemic product you use for fleas if fleas are an issue. I like Comfortis or Trifexis for fleas, and it does not introduce additional pesticides into the home since they are oral medications, not topical pesticides.

 

Preventic collars are definitely the best thing we've seen for preventing attached ticks and also preventing hitchhiker ticks. The amitraz in the collars is a repellant as well as toxic, so it actually repels the ticks in the first place.

[Denisemomof4]

Then what about not allowing the dogs in the house at all? they then could be treated for ticks and not bring the toxins into the house.

 

It is a consideration but I have several things I will be trying on them.

 

I am sure the lymes didn't COME from our dogs but I stil don't want the ticks in the house! Our light maple floors make it hard for ticks to go undetected.

 

We are a family that spends a LOT of time outside. We need to look at more tick prevention for ourselves.

[Denisemomof4]

So sorry to hear that. Interesting though. My uncle had Lymes and he was sick for a long time. He had a lot of mental health issues too. In fact he ended up divorcing my aunt (they were married for 20 years). I swear he was not the same for a very long time.

 

When I told the dr about my son, he said Lymes can make a person act crazy. It causes mental illness, rages, etc. He sees marriages end over it all the time.

 

Dd12 and dh have ny personality change, ds was completely irrational and out of control. Dh will be speaking to him today and I hope he will agree to treatment but I think it's doubtful. When he was diagnosed with Conduct Disorder (I think I said he was diagnosed with ODD but it is CD) he was put on medication. He took himself off of that months ago. Thankfully is is doing well.

[Denisemomof4]

I recommend putting Preventic collars on your dogs during all tick seasons, in addition to whatever topical or systemic product you use for fleas if fleas are an issue. I like Comfortis or Trifexis for fleas, and it does not introduce additional pesticides into the home since they are oral medications, not topical pesticides.

 

Preventic collars are definitely the best thing we've seen for preventing attached ticks and also preventing hitchhiker ticks. The amitraz in the collars is a repellant as well as toxic, so it actually repels the ticks in the first place.

 

You are the third person to recommend this and I have never heard of them! I am going to try the DE today and I have a few other things, but I am going to keep all this information on file.

[StephanieZ]

You are the third person to recommend this and I have never heard of them! I am going to try the DE today and I have a few other things, but I am going to keep all this information on file.

 

Preventic collars are manufactured by Virbac and are actually OTC. They are not expensive. Maybe $25 but they last a few months. Dh is a vet. We dispense many, and used them every summer on our dogs when we lived in a region with lots of Lyme and other tick borne diseases. We have never seen an adverse reaction. They really are the best tick product out there. They've been used for many years.

[Parrothead]

Denise, I'm very glad you finally have answers.

 

Preventic collars are manufactured by Virbac and are actually OTC. They are not expensive. Maybe $25 but they last a few months. Dh is a vet. We dispense many, and used them every summer on our dogs when we lived in a region with lots of Lyme and other tick borne diseases. We have never seen an adverse reaction. They really are the best tick product out there. They've been used for many years.

I'll be getting some for Baxter this weekend. I saw them available at amazon.

Unfortunately they aren't available for Prime shipping.

[JumpyTheFrog]

My parents had the vet vaccinate their dog for lyme disease a few years ago. Before the vaccine, he was healthy. After, he had trouble walking for months.

[ElaineJ]

Denise, I am so glad you are getting some answers at last! I wish you all confidence and strength for the journey. :grouphug:

Elaine

[Remudamom]

Frontline for the dogs. We treat our dog and at least nine cats.

[justamouse]

:grouphug::grouphug:

[Flowing Brook]

How often do you bathe your dogs?

 

I have received other remedies as well for bathing. I will be giving them a try. The dogs aren't getting as many ticks now but the spring was the worst I had ever seen!

 

 

We bath about once a month.

[Mom22ns]

I didn't read through the thread to find out the advice you've gotten but Tick Collars, I believe they are Preventic collars are like miracles. We've used frontline and every other topical chemical and have still had ticks. The collars kill the ticks FAST. No more tick and they don't spread the chemicals all over. Teach the kids not to touch the collars and you can live with them.

 

Here are hugs for what you are dealing with. :grouphug::grouphug:

 

I celebrate the victory that a diagnosis can be and send you lots of prayers for all that the future holds.

 

Should have read the pps

 

Preventic collars are manufactured by Virbac and are actually OTC. They are not expensive. Maybe $25 but they last a few months. Dh is a vet. We dispense many, and used them every summer on our dogs when we lived in a region with lots of Lyme and other tick borne diseases. We have never seen an adverse reaction. They really are the best tick product out there. They've been used for many years.

 

Then I could have just said :iagree::iagree:

Edited July 1, 2012 by Momto2Ns

[abacus2]

I am mostly replying so I can keep track of the info in this thread, but is it possible dd9 is affected too and it is the cause of some of her issues?

[Denisemomof4]

I am mostly replying so I can keep track of the info in this thread, but is it possible dd9 is affected too and it is the cause of some of her issues?

 

I did consider this but she had these issues when we got her in China. They have actually gotten better through the years. She has no other symptoms.

[Melissa in Australia]

It is a consideration but I have several things I will be trying on them.

 

I am sure the lymes didn't COME from our dogs but I stil don't want the ticks in the house! Our light maple floors make it hard for ticks to go undetected.

 

We are a family that spends a LOT of time outside. We need to look at more tick prevention for ourselves.

 

Thanks for explaining :001_smile:

We don't have Lyme's where I live. In fact it probably doesn't exist in Australia. We have paralysis ticks, that kill the dogs, so frontline is used on ours.

 

We have lots of Mosquito born diseases that are unique to Australia

[Wildcat]

.

Edited January 6, 2023 by Wildcat

[i.love.lucy]

Denise, how about diatomaceous earth? It's non-toxic and natural. We use it on our dogs for fleas, but it also works for ticks. It is highly absorbent, so it dries out of the insects, killing them. It won't hurt you or the dogs unless you inhale the dust. (Best I can tell, inhaling a little is no big deal, but inhaling more can be bad for your lungs.)

 

Lisa

There is a thread on the Low Carb Friends forum about DE. A poster there said she had Lymes and went through a long tough battle healing her gut. She takes DE herself every day. Thought I'd post it just as an encouragement that there are some dietary and supplemental things people are doing to heal their gut after long battles with Lyme treatment and coming out healed in the end. :grouphug: