Help needed :(

Hi all,

I woke up about 2 weeks ago max with a few bites on my arm - I thought it was a spider and didn't pay much attention to it.
One of the bites was really itchy and had a ring around it but it seemed to calm down the last few days.
I woke up this morning to a full on bullseye ring and I went to the walk in clinic right away.
I had shared the image on instagram and two friends reached out to say get to a doctor right now.
I paid for the doc appointment as I am on holiday in BC, Canada and the doctor laughed off lyme disease - said it was very rare but if I wanted I could have the treatment (antibiotic) for 1 week.
I had already researched and knew 1 week was not enough but he wouldn't listen.
I go home to Ireland on Sunday so will get another 2 weeks there - is 3 weeks enough?

I don't seem to have any other symptoms just this ring which is really itchy and raised.

Sara x

p.s how do I post a picture?

Hi, Sara:

As for the doctor that laughed-off Lyme Disease, I quote Woody Allen:

"What I wouldn't give for a large sock with horse manure in it."

Welcome to the club. While we're sorry you've been affected, we're happy you found us.

You were wise to go right to the walk-in clinic right away. If a person has the Erythema Migrans (EM) rash, then they have Lyme Disease. But, not all people who contract Lyme Disease get the rash.

We request that new members read the New To Lyme?.......Start here! thread that's pinned to the top of the main forum page. In it, you will find loads of helpful and valuable information.

As for antibiotic recommendations, it seems the recommendation is 200mg of Doxycycline twice daily for 28 days. I copied that information from THIS THREAD where I asked the same question and it was answered by Girlie - one of our great Forum Moderators who is infinitely more knowledgeable than I.

She also noted the following:

* Astragalus capsule for new tick bites - not to be used in chronic lyme
- 150 lb adult: 1,000 mg daily
- 100 lb adult: 1,000 mg daily
- 60 lb child: 1,000 mg daily
- 30 lb child: 1,000 mg daily

* Astragalus tincture for new tick bites - not to be used in chronic lyme
- 150 lb adult: 1 teaspoon 3x daily
- 100 lb adult: 1 teaspoon 3x daily
- 60 lb child: 1/2 teaspoon 3x daily
- 30 lb child: 1/3 teaspoon 3x daily

Online Metric Converter

I realize that's a lot to start, so I'm sorry.

You will soon find many other replies from the helpful, knowledgeable, and caring members. Keep asking questions.

Welcome...

The Dude

From what I've read, the EM rash is "usually" flat and "occasionally" raised with "minimal" itching. Those are subjective terms, of course. I never had a rash, so I'm unable to speak from personal experience.

Here are some rash photos: /www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/rashes.html
(NOTE: There are two tabs for photos: EM Rashes and NON-EM Rashes)

By the way, here are some photo hosting websites, since you asked about uploading photos:

/www.lifewire.com/free-image-hosting-sites-3486329

So the 28 days is for a tick bite.

If there is a bulls-eye rash, then it's to treat until sign/symptom free PLUS 4 more weeks.


Sara - You do not want this to become chronic...you need 200 mg twice daily for several weeks...don't stop treating too soon. Do not stop if you have symptoms...

I live in BC. -

The Dude Abides said...
Thanks for the correction, Girlie!