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Should I get tested for lyme disease?

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Posted 8/20/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I had a rash suddenly appear on my arm.  It is about three inches was dark red with a dark red circle in the middle.  It has been slowly fading.  I went to the doctor today and they said it was ringworm, but it hasn't spread anywere or to anyone.  I have a toddler who has been in direct contact with it numerous times and would have gotten it if it was ring worm.  I have had unexplained pain in both knees recently and have been dizzy on and off.   I also fought off a cold right before the rash appeared.  I was in a high tick area a month or so before the rash appeared.  I mentioned to the doctor that I was conserned and was basically blown off. 

I am not sure what do to from here.  Who I need to contact or who I need to see.  I may just be being paranoid, but better have someone tell me its nothing now then have something turn up a few years down the road.  Any input would be great.

Posted 8/20/2009 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Happyhoment,

Welcome to the forum! We are so glad you found us. There are some great members here with a ton of knowledge about Lyme Disease.

Do you have any pictures of the rash? If not, take some pictures of it and put a quarter by it to give it size definition. This could help you out a whole lot when you see the right doctor. Seeing a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor is the best way to go. They can look at your rash, or the picture and tell you if it is in fact a bulls eye rash. If you are interested in finding aN LLMD in your area, I have some information for you below.

You can email one of our long time members, Ticker at:
[email protected] to find an LLMD in your area. If you'd like more suggestions, you can email: [email protected]You can also go to: www.turnthecorner.org/bod.htm and ask for further sugestions.

ILADS is also a great site to find information:
http://www.ilads.org/

For even more info, please read the topic at the top of the first page of this forum tittled "The Basics, Newbies check this out". It will help you get started learning about lyme.
Posted 8/20/2009 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
happyhomemt - I too was diagnosed with ringworm and a variety of other rashes within 1-2 years of becoming extremely ill. I would definitely get tested for Lyme disease!
Posted 8/20/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
The tests are only 30% reliable--so completely unreliable--it's disgraceful that they even use them (by comparison the test for HIV/AIDS is 99.5% reliable!).

This means a false negative is not uncommon. And unfortunately, only a Lyme specialist can diagnose you or rule it out for you.

Most doctors are completely ignorant about this disease and do blow it off, like what happened to you. That's why so many of us (myself included) were left for a decade or more with various misdiagnoses or no diagnosis.
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