Does a bullseye rash always mean lyme disease?

Yes, it is diagnostic. I had one 14 years ago and tested negative a few years later, so they said I didn't have Lyme.
I do.
Great that you have a picture.
Who is your appointment with? What type of doctor?

Thank you kitty 9309 and Orzelro for your posts. I have an appointment with my family Dr on Tuesday I will try to get an appointment with the infectious disease specialist in my area. I don't know if that wil help. After reading everything I've read over the last few days I know that I am fortunate to have had the bulls eye rash, otherwise I would still be thinking Lymphoma or? My health has deteriorated quickly and I honestly was beginning to think I would die trying to figure out what's going on with me. I am scared that I won't recieve the treatment I need because Dr's in Canada don't seem to be familiar with Lyme. This message board is a blessing to people who have Lyme disease. Thanks for your help!

Remembering my bull's eye rash is what saved my life.

I flushed in rashes and a small circular rash one... and had a backwards "J" rash that ran through a lypoma scar on my back. I got pics. of the circle and the "J". I had flushed in rashes usually from the abdomen up to my face for about 1-2 years before I got sick. I'd go to work and then the rash would appear, I'd go to the CIGNA clinic and get a steroid shot and then leave. It was kind of humorous, because it kept happening. I have copies of my CIGNA records indicating a circular rash that they called "ringworm" and all over rashes that they called "contact dermatitis".

I think I have carried Lyme around for a long time and it finally started causing symptoms, slowly (so I never recognized what was happening) until that day I woke up and was almost immobile from depression and had a right swollen knee.... and then the LD journey through he11 began. I'll let you all know when it ends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KO-LD, that is exactly what happend! But, I haven't gotten the test back yet. I contacted Canlyme and the've given me the name and # of a LLMD in Canada. I will probably have to bypass my GP to get a referral 'cause he said that Lyme disease is a US disease and it's definitly not found in this part of the country. I explained that I got the rash when I lived in BC. He kinda laughed and continued to check his e-mail while I'm in the office.I told him I've lost 11lbs in 2 months and tried to show him my list of symptoms that I got from canlyme's web site. He said the weight loss is not signifacant (I'm 4ft 10in tall, of course it is!) He wouldn't even look at my list of symptoms. He then told me to leave 'cause he had other patients. He gave me the same set of blood work that he did 2 months ago. I left sobbing. I couldn't believe that he totally dismissed me considering I've been having cognitive symptoms, shouldn't that be taken seriously? I've made several phone calls. Everyone is telling me that the rash is dignostic.
I was so excited when I finally figured out what's been going on with me. I was beginning to think I would die waiting for a diagnosis. I was really naive to beleive this was going to be simple. I thought with my picture and symptoms I would get help and eventually get better. Not so simple. I can't believe how difficult it is to get treatment for Lyme! I've done allot of research in the last few weeks and this seems to be the way it is for everyone. I'm so gald there are message boards like this one. You guys are very supportive. Thank you.

I have the same question as stated in the title of this discussion.
Here is our story:
We live in the border of NY and CT - the two states where lyme ticks are most common, afaik.
The first time my son (10 months at that time) got a bulls-eye rash was in August last year. First 4 photos in this album. It was Sunday and on Monday the next day we took him to pediatrician. While the rash itself did not look like lyme symptom to her, the photos of it from the day before (link above) did. That day we started him on Amoxicillin (we decided to do it for 3.5 weeks). No tests were done before or after.

This past Sunday he got similar rash again. Unfortunately, I only took a couple of pictures with my cell and there is no way to get them copied right now, so there are only two random cuts from 1)a video made more than a day before the spot turned into the target-looking and 2) a picture from couple hours after it was looking as target.

Both times, now and in August, the spot was as bull's-eye only for about an hour or two. Both times it then turned into just pink spot and gradually decreased in size (this time, only about 2.5 days later the spot is still there; the first time at 4 weeks checkup there was hardly anything to detect). Both times I did not see a tick (I know, it does not mean that it was not there before, although the places are pretty visible both times). Both times no other "bright" symptoms. Well, I don't remember about back in August, but right now he has runny/stuffed nose and maybe on average is a bit more cranky than usual, although not very noticeable. No fever both times. But he definitely was more cranky while on antibiotics and it did upset his stomach to some extent (yes, we did give him the probiotic).

This time we did not take him to any doctors (yet?). The pediatrician will have to be a different one due to change in insurance. I would be glad to hear any advice on what we should do. Is there chance that it is not lyme? I read on different websites that the bulls-eye is increasing in size (and stays there longer, as I understand), plus there are often other symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue - all of that I have not seen in my son.

Thanks for any advice!

Wow, sure looks like lyme disease rash to me. I have had 2 sons with the disease and if I had it to do all over again and could afford one I would go right to a coil/rife machine to treat them. Its not something to fool around with. One son did very well with a good brand of colloidal silver but even that does not totally get rid of lyme.

Best of luck to your little one!

Razzle, allieann, thanks for your answers! I am searching for LLMD. The insurance certainly did not have one on their list.

daisyrlb, the initial post by 2 tired for 30 was posted on 11/20/2008. Their situation might have changed since then.

Thanks Hope, I'll pay more attention to dates from here on out. I learn something knew everyday.

Hope119 said...
I have the same question as stated in the title of this discussion.
Here is our story:
We live in the border of NY and CT - the two states where lyme ticks are most common, afaik.
The first time my son (10 months at that time) got a bulls-eye rash was in August last year. First 4 photos in this album. It was Sunday and on Monday the next day we took him to pediatrician. While the rash itself did not look like lyme symptom to her, the photos of it from the day before (link above) did. That day we started him on Amoxicillin (we decided to do it for 3.5 weeks). No tests were done before or after.

This past Sunday he got similar rash again. Unfortunately, I only took a couple of pictures with my cell and there is no way to get them copied right now, so there are only two random cuts from 1)a video made more than a day before the spot turned into the target-looking and 2) a picture from couple hours after it was looking as target.

Both times, now and in August, the spot was as bull's-eye only for about an hour or two. Both times it then turned into just pink spot and gradually decreased in size (this time, only about 2.5 days later the spot is still there; the first time at 4 weeks checkup there was hardly anything to detect). Both times I did not see a tick (I know, it does not mean that it was not there before, although the places are pretty visible both times). Both times no other "bright" symptoms. Well, I don't remember about back in August, but right now he has runny/stuffed nose and maybe on average is a bit more cranky than usual, although not very noticeable. No fever both times. But he definitely was more cranky while on antibiotics and it did upset his stomach to some extent (yes, we did give him the probiotic).

This time we did not take him to any doctors (yet?). The pediatrician will have to be a different one due to change in insurance. I would be glad to hear any advice on what we should do. Is there chance that it is not lyme? I read on different websites that the bulls-eye is increasing in size (and stays there longer, as I understand), plus there are often other symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue - all of that I have not seen in my son.

Thanks for any advice!