Yes, I did take all of the antibiotics. I had three ticks within a few days, then I got flu-like symptoms, but it was not quite like any flu I'd ever had before -- something was different about it, so I went to my doctor. She ordered a blood test for Lyme's, but started me on the antibiotics right away before the tests came back (it took a week for the test results back then). She also told me that I could test negative if I had not had it long enough for the test to detect the Lymes, but take the antibiotics anyway. The test did come back negative. I have never had another test and a doctor has never told me that I should.

If you decide to see a doc regarding FM, I suggested a Doctor trained in Alternative Medicine, I still do. I wanted to say that I also concur with Doreen's suggestion If they're familar with FM, the treatments will be more than *just* pain killers and a pat on the head. T
hat happens all too often and with such a serious problem as FM it leaves one feeling helpless and more confused instead of in control and getting better. There's some great info on the links that Doreen has put here and at http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdis...p?forumid=47&s= Great stuff for you doc as well. She might want to try some of the Treatments.

I'm glad that you've taken control of the LC part of whatever it is, and good luck with getting to the root of it.

Don't mean to butt in, but have any of your symptoms occured very badly after a meal? I had bouts of fatigue, "cold" spells, and arthritic pain (and a host of other things) for years before I found out that the culprit was a particular food.

I know it's a little out of the blue, but just a suggestion if you haven't thought of it already.

Guess I really never thought about it before, so I'm glad you suggested it could be food-related. I'll be certain to write down what I ate during the hours before one of these 'spells' to see if there is a connection. Thanks for the input!

My girlfriend has severe FM and has found one of the best things for her is Effexor.

Actually, I was using it because I had SAD and I have chronic back problems, and told her that I noticed that my back problems went away with taking the Effexor. After research, we found that it does indeed affect the pain centers of the brain. So, she has been on it since this past February and LOVES it.

I have symptoms of FM that seem to flare up along with my SAD (usually Jan/Feb and July/Aug). I have not been diagnosed with it, because my GP sent me to someone for my back/neck and shoulder pain who did not believe in FM, so I never got dianosed and then just started researching and trying to cope on my own.

I have a new doctor now. And my husband is just about fed up with my snoring and constant sleep interruptions. And I am tired of being tired all the time! So I am planning a visit soon.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, my friend also got a hot tub which the insurance company paid for because of her diagnosis.

She also gets massages weekly.

She went to a naturlist when she didn't lose weight on Atkins. She has been following that diet for about 6 months. She looks and says she feels great.

Hope this helps some.

This might sound wierd, but here's my story. I've had various, seemingly unrelated illnesses my ENTIRE life. Mysterious rashes as a child, treatment for a duodenial ulseration at age 10(!), all the symptoms with all the pain points for fibromyalga, and all the symptoms of cronic fatigue including a low grade fever that lasted for months, migraines that put me in the hospital at 16, clinical treatment for anemia twice, strep throat and broncitius more times than I can remember. I read all the time trying to find some physiological problem to correct it all. I think I found it. A Candida overgrowth can cause it ALL!!! Everything I had would last several months to several years. The freezing cold and shaking I've had too. Still do on occasion. What it could be is you inadvertently did something to cause a die off. I'm on an elimination plan and I took my yeastie killer before bed and woke up to answer natures call at midnight shaking so hard I hardly walk down the hall. Candida can also affect your thyroid. Here's a web site to check out, lots of good info: candidapage.com There's also a good thread going here too. Hope this helps!

Liz

Wow this has been a very interesting read for me as I have had fibro for about 6 years . The tonsil connection is very interesting because every once in a while I get infections in my glands in the back of my throat but never suspected that as part of the problem .I have had that since highschool, then the fibro and of course living in Maine we have ticks as well but I never really considered Lyme Disease either. It is all pretty interesting...
Debbie

Puppetlady, just for you're own curiosity take the quiz on the link at the bottom of this post and see how you do!!

Liz