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Well, folks, what a month! Two weeks in and August has already stolen everyone else’s thunder.
For those of you who’ve been trying to get a hold of me, I’m so sorry it’s been slow on the go over here! Trust me, I’m not pulling out the “I-HAVE-CHRONIC-FATIGUE” card (though that still applies), I’m just being honest: Things are wild over here.
First of all, my husby and I are trying to start a company, and this month has been all about seeing the last puzzle pieces fitting in place before launch. *YAY!* Even though I don’t work even close to full-time (Ok, that is the “I-HAVE-CHRONIC-FATIGUE” card), we’re a team on this one which means I’m giving it all I’ve got…avoiding burnout, of course. Don’t need that lesson repeated.
Secondly, there’s the little matter of LYME DISEASE. What? That’s right. It says it right here:
I’m still skeptical it’s a true positive read, but here’s what I know:
- July 19th – Got bit by a couple things while sitting in the grass at night (date night watching “Cool Runnings” on our park’s big screen…cuz that makes it all worth it!). When I flicked off one attacker, I told Mr. C. that it felt like a small beetle. A tick maybe?
- July 24th – Blood draw included Western Blot to test for a long-term infection that could possibly explain why I’ve been sick for years.
- August 1st – I got THAT phone call. You know, the one when your doctor doesn’t want to wait until your follow-up to tell you the bad news. It was explained to me that I was tested for both IgM and IgG antibodies. IgMs develop within about the first 4 weeks of infection while the IgGs take 4+ weeks, indicating a more chronic infection. Thankfully, I tested negative for the long-term Lyme infection, but as you can see in the picture, I got 2/3 of the IgMs. It’s positive for Lyme! Doxycycline was immediately prescribed.
- August 1st-11th – I prayed, was in denial, didn’t take the antibiotics and researched a ton.
- August 8th – My follow-up. Retest scheduled and advice heard about the dangers of waiting too long to take my medicine.
- August 12th – When I woke up, I couldn’t deny that over the past week my head, arms and legs were aching way more than usual, and it was steadily getting worse. It was time to stop playing. If this really was Lyme (big IF still in my book), I couldn’t risk letting it develop into a chronic infection.
- August 12th-present – Can I just say that Doxycycline is a rough one? After the first dose and not feeling good at all, I read the side affects. Those are why I don’t like meds! Considering not talking it again.
Here’s why I’m skeptical:
- According to the Center for Disease Control, the IgM test is infamous for false positives.
- There is also suggestion that taking a blood test 5 days after a bite is too soon for an accurate read.
- Even my lab printout says: “Sera from individuals with the following may cross react in the Lyme Western Blot assays: other spirochetal diseases (periodontal disease, leptospirosis, relapsing fever, yaws, and pinta); connective autoimmune (Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and also individuals with Antinuclear Antibody); other infections (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; Epstein-Barr Virus, and Cytomegalovirus).” So, I don’t know what half of those mean, and neither does my spell-check program here, but it seems to indicate that the positive result could really be because I have something else wrong with me.
- I can’t say that I really have typical symptoms of acute Lyme.
This is where I’d like to poll the crowd. Anyone with experience in Western Blot interpretation, Doxycycline and/or Lyme? I would appreciate direction. Thanks!
Well, I didn’t want to make this post all crab and drab, so here’s a recipe! Fun fact: the day I started taking my Lyme medication, I was eating Cilantro Lime Chicken. Ironic but so appropriate. It’s so refreshing and smooth, and great for detox (high fives for Cilantro!).
Tools of the trade:
- 6.5 Quart Crock Pot
- Fatigue friendly garlic press + garlic peeler (love these!)
There you go – when life gives you Lyme, make Cilantro Lime Chicken! As always, if you try it out, let me know!
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 5 hours |
| Servings |
Thighs
|
- 12 pieces chicken thighs bone-in, skin on, though you can do w/o too!
- 2 TBSP ginger grated
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 whole lime zested and squeezed
- 1 cup broth or water
- to taste paprika, salt, pepper, cumin I'd start with 1/2 tsp of each if you're not sure
- 9 cloves garlic chopped, minced, whatever. I usually do more like 12 cloves because I love this stuff.
Ingredients
|
|
- Layer your chicken thighs into the 6 + quart slow cooker.
- Mix up everything else and pour onto the thighs. I get my hands in there to rub it all around.
- Turn the slow cooker on high for 4-6 hours.
- For crispy skin, take the cooked chicken out, line them up on a baking sheet, and broil them for 3-5 min.
- Enjoy!
