HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New To Lyme.

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/15/2010 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Two weeks ago I found a tiny tick on me (not uncommon for my geographic location)
Didn't think anything of it. Five days ago I started getting extremely bad headaches. Not putting the two together I was talking to my wife about the headaches when I remembered the tick bite. Went back to examine the location of the bite and there was a nasty looking rash.
Went to the Dr. she took one look at it and said you have lyme. They have put me on antibiotics.
The question I Have is... now what?
Did I catch it early enough to not have any lingering effects?
What should I expect now.
I know these questions are broad but I have had not much inout from the Dr.
Thanks for any info you might have!
Eric
Posted 7/16/2010 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Since you caught it this early, I would highly recommend that you find a LLMD in your area to ensure that you are getting appropriate treatment. The typical ABX doseage is not sufficient in most cases. What treatment are you on and how much? Good luck to you, you have found the right spot for the best info on this subject.

 

Jeff

Posted 7/16/2010 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Im taking 100mg of Doxycycline twice a day.
I did blood work at the Dr yesterday. Yet she was convinced that it was Lyme just by the look of it.
Is that normal for a MD to be able diagnose just by looking and knowing my symptoms.
Eric
Posted 7/16/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Eric,

That is the dosage my LLMD gave me at first. An EM rash is ONLY seen in lyme disease. So if you had the bullseye, then yes, an MD could diagnose you on the spot. You are lucky in the sense that you had the rash and got on treatment quickly.

Did you by chance keep the tick? If so you could get it tested. I ask because ticks can also transmit what are known as co-infections. Different bacteria like babesia, bartonella etc.

The question of lingering effects is difficult to answer. Did your MD mention how long you would be on the doxy?
Posted 7/16/2010 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
you are lucky to find out immediately. Take advantage of the knowledge and make sure you get the correct amount of medication so you can put this behind you as quickly as possible. It is no fun...to suffer with Lyme.


I was not lucky...never found tick nor did I have a rash...just got sick!
Posted 7/16/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, an MD that is familiar with Lyme will be able to diagnose based on symptoms and the EM rash. However, will undertreat in most cases. It's fortunate that you caught it this early, please don't hesitate to make sure you take the ABX for long enough.
Posted 7/16/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everybody for chiming in!
It is a distinct rash.. but not a perfect bullseye.
Yet the MD seemed pretty sure.
Thanks again
Eric
Posted 7/16/2010 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Eric,

Please see and LLMD for appropriate treatment. 200 mg a day of doxy is inadequate. How long did your MD put you on doxy? Lyme disease is nothing to play around with. You were fortunate to have an MD who recognized Lyme disease and diagnose you on the spot, but he/she probably will under treat you because a regular MD has no real training in treating Lyme disease. They go by the infectious disease doctor guidelines which is usually three to six weeks of 200 mg of doxy and that doesn't always take care of it. See a LLMD. You won't regret it.

Gary
Posted 7/16/2010 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
ERic, the rash need not be a perfect bull's eye, in fact, most aren't.

But 2 important things:

1) IF the rash is a bull's eye type (look at some photos on the internet), nothing ELSE causes this rash, ONLY Lyme.
2) Not knowing what you mean about a 'distinct' rash, I'd have to ask -- what kind of rash is it, then? How much of your body does it cover?

I am asking this out of fear of Rocky Mt Spotted Fever -- since you became ill and then got a rash. RMSF is EXTREMELY serious. IF this is what you have, it is possible that your abx is adequate to take care of it, I don't know. You might want to look that up.

BUT, if you have Lyme, then it is not adequate, for certain. If he/she will, all that your Dr needs to do is up your dosage for a few weeks longer.

AGain, I do not know the description of your rash, but depending on what it looks like, I might ask for treatment/preventative for RMSF.
Posted 7/16/2010 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks! Im going to look up RMSF rash images.
I will keep you updated.
Keep the great info coming!
Eric
Posted 7/16/2010 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Ok after looking at some RMSF images I am pretty sure it is not.
Here is a link to a image I found that resembles the rash I have on my chest.
If there is any difference mine is more one tone is color (red). This bite was right in the middle of mine.
Sorry If this is a little too much info.
Eric
4
http://www.skinsite.com/info_lyme_disease.htm
Posted 7/16/2010 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Gary,

I don't want him to be disappointed if he goes to an LLMD and he is prescribed 100 mg of doxy twice a day.
After reading this board and others and going to lymemd, I was disappointed that this was the dose he prescribed to me (never raised it). He told me that is pretty standard to start out with (even for LLMD's) Unless the symptoms call for more or he's been symptomatic for awhile.

lyl
Posted 7/16/2010 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Here you have my pics. I had a rash, different shape than the one in the pic to start with and it took around 2 weeks to develop in to a proper bulls eye rash, see pic. Link to pic:https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1662539
Also, I was like you, had a rash and symptoms, and they put me on 2 weeks 200mg of doxycycline, which proved not to be enough, then I managed to get 400mg for a month, not enough either. Felt better for 2 months but had a relapse after. So now I am on 6 months different antibiotics. I just want you to understand that you need to go to a lyme doctor and get proper treatment straight away. Good luck!
Posted 7/16/2010 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I assure you, 200 mg of doxy is not enough. How long were you prescribed doxy for? That amount will only push it into hiding and then it come back with a vengeance later and you'll have all kinds of miserable symptoms. See a LLMD and get the appropriate treatment. This is a very serious disease. You are fortunate you caught it in time, and with proper treatment you will be able to put this baby to rest for good (well, nothing is 100% but close to it). If you under treat this disease, as it appears you doctor is doing, it's not gonna be a pretty picture later. We're only trying to help you, Eric. I'd give a million bucks to be where you are and have the opportunity to go back in time to get the appropriate treatment in the first place. The sooner you see a LLMD, the better off you'll be.

Gary
Posted 7/17/2010 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
The Dr gave me a two weeks of Doxycycline.
I know you are here to help and it means the world to me!
Thanks
Eric
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply