I have had a sustained CR for more than two years, ASCT and consistently good test history, with no evidence of elevated proteins. Also had been taking Revlimid as maintenance, although I stopped three months ago due to side effects, with plans to resume.
But last week I began to feel fatigued and lethargic, then developed a fever that fluctuated up near 101 but would come down after taking Tylenol. On Friday things got out of hand and the fever spiked to over 102 so I headed to the ER. By the time they tested me it was 104, which was pretty scary. I couldn't help but wonder if the myeloma had quickly re-established, or if I'd developed a secondary cancer. Both were irrational fears, or at least to believe this fever was a symptom seems so, but it still put my head back to where it was two years ago.
Then the back of my thigh began to itch and when I asked someone to look at it there was the classic bullet rash of Lyme disease. With the correct antibiotic prescribed the fever's gone and I've been told that early diagnosis likely means no future problems.
While I'm happy with the resolution, I'm glad that initially they had to do extensive blood testing to look for a cause, thus ruling out some worse outcomes. In fact, if they had found the rash initially (if it was there, then), I might have wondered if anything else was going on.
This was a reminder to me to keep my recovery in perspective and to live as if on any day I and my family could be facing much more than the reaction to a tick bite.
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Re: Lyme disease scare
Glad you caught it! Good reminder for us too. Best wishes for many more good years ahead!
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Joy - Name: Joy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Lyme disease scare
Thanks for sharing this experience, Ron. It's a good reminder for all of us here.
Do you live in an area where Lyme Disease is a common problem?
Do you live in an area where Lyme Disease is a common problem?
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