Timeframe to get treatment?

Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to read and help individuals like me when it comes to Lyme awareness.

I got a non-engorged tick bite at the beginning of the month, no rash but started getting unusual symptoms. Had blood tested on IgM/G about 3 weeks after bite, returned negative and was suggested that I might have a gluten sensitivity.

I'm looking to get a second opinion, but my concern is that the symptoms are starting to diminish....and I'm not sure if this is Lyme disease at work at or my gluten-free diet is being effective.

So my question is twofold: can Lyme symptoms dissipate as early as 2 weeks? (I'd assume so if the symptoms can occur in 2 weeks...). And perhaps more importantly, is there a time-frame in which I should start getting treatment, provided I need it? Obviously the sooner the better, but I don't want to look back and say 'If only I had started a week earlier'...

I'm contacting a specialist this week, but I guess my concern is that I have absolutely no idea what the urgency is (day, week, month?).

Thanks!

Hi Tick clock!
Welcome to our community!
If you haven't already, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists (as Lyme rarely occurs by itself), helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, and a list of questions that you can ask any doctor that you are seeking treatment from!

"If only I had started a week earlier" or just earlier is something many say, so you are right to be concerned about this! Prevention is best, but don't ever under estimate how well the Lyme bacteria can hide from the immune system!!

The rate at which the infection spreads - if you are infected - varies from person to person, depending on how well their immune system is working, if they have other conditions that may keep the body from functioning well enough to do battle with this incredibly complex bacteria and a few other things, so there is no set time period. If you had symptoms of some type following a tick attaching, then get treatment. Just ask anyone with chronic Lyme, they will tell you the same thing. A few months of anti-infective treatments is well worth it to avoid a life time of issues.

Many Lyme patients are gluten intolerant, so just going on a gluten free diet can reduce symptoms, but this doesn't mean that the person is "just" gluten intolerant!

For information on finding a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, you can start a new thread titled something like:"Looking for LLMD/LLND in the _______ area." Although you will need to enable your email option in your profile in order to receive any recommendations, as we don't allow doctor's names and contact info to be posted on the forum for several reasons. You can enable your email option in your profile, under 'edit profile'. Be sure to click the submit button to actually save your preference.

You can email Stephanie at: [email protected] You can also go to: www.turnthecorner.org/ if you want to learn a little bit more about Lyme Disease.

You can also go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74

You will want to find an ILADS (International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society) trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. The ILADS site is another great place to read to get you started on your Lyme journey. www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines_clearing_ilads.html

Well. Many LLMDs treat clinically since the tests are crap anyway. It took me almost a year to get into my LLMD and I took doxy and herbs until I could see him to get the fight started. He said I made the right move. It can get real bad real fast and for me it was over night (literally woke up in my own bed not knowing where I was or whom I lived with). If you have any symptoms I would find a way to get on it now.

Actually, that site that you linked to only argues not to use short term abx (antibiotic) treatment, which we agree with as well. Anything less than 3 months of abx treatment is a complete set up for the person having chronic Lyme come out at a later date.

Depending on where you live -if your state denies the existence of these infections or not - you should be able to walk into any clinic and insist on abx for Lyme. They may not know what to give (you'll need at least 400 mgs a day of Doxy), but should be willing to treat you.

I'm not sure what herbs Will took (or is taking), but you can go to Buhner's site: buhnerhealinglyme.com/ and see what is recommended there. This is likely the most straight forward herbal site for Lyme disease, so it will be easier to understand and get started, although there are others.