Newbie Questions

Hi Sojourn!
Welcome, welcome!! I am very sorry to hear that you have reason to be here, but happy that you found us!! I have been on quite a few "Lyme Boards" & have found this one to be the best moderated, with the most caring, understanding, & empathetic people - with a ton of info!!

The 1st thing I would like to say is please remember above all else, Lyme Disease & it's co-infections are as unique as your body is!! Pretty much everyone will take different amounts of different abx, supplements & any other "meds" in order to heal.

Whew!! Now that that's out of the way ~ here is a link to some good phots of the LD rash (hoping the link will work!);
www.lymediseaseassociation.org/PhotoAlbum_Rash.html

This and other photos of other rashes can be found under the thread "Newbies-Check this out" at the top of the forum home page. Yo should go through this post asap as it has a lot of general info that most 'newbies' need.

I am one of many that never had the Lyme Bulls eye rash (Only about 40% of those dxed w/ LD have this), so I can't tell you anything about it. LD also can 'create' many different rashes besides the bull's eye rash.

Putting off tx (treatment) gives LD (a VERY aggressive infection) a chance to go into chronic (where the infection is no longer in the bloodstream, but dissemenated through out the body). This can occur as early as 2 weeks after the bite.

My opinion??? RUN, run like the wind to your doc!!! (tee hee!) Start tx immediately!!! The longer you are infected, the longer it takes to heal & some here have been in tx for YEARS.

Lyme Disease & other tick borne disease are VERY complex by nature. It can infect EVERY bodily system, and organ.

Because of this, it's incredibly important to see a very knowledgable (sp?) doc. Lyme Specialists are known as Lyme Literate Medical Doctors or LLMD's. There are very few of them in this country, although they are the only ones

who understand the potential damage to a persons body, as well as their mental functions & well being. Sadly, there are those who have to just muddle through it all with a doc nearby that isn't educated very well about LD co's.

You also must be your own advocate. Learn & read all that you can about all TBI's (tick borne infections). And ask questions!! of your doc, of us, and any one else who really understands what the heck they are talking about!!

I wish for you a quick return to health!!and may you find peace along the way.
~Trav

Thanks so much for the warm welcome, swift replies, and excellent advice. I went to my rheumatologist right away, and am awaiting the test results. Thanks again.

Hi! I received the test results, which were negative for Lyme. Looks like the rash was part of an exisiting blood condition that I've had for some time now. I'm gratful that you all--and my doctor--took it seriously and tht I got prompt treatment and testing. Thanks again!

I just read your post. My EM rash was not a typical bulls eye as many are. I questioned the rash but never went to the doctor. 15 months later I have chronic Lyme and am having a difficult time feeling better.

The reason I am responding is that at my first appt with my Lyme doc a year ago, we talked about my rash. He specifically asked me if it looked bruised. He said some EM rashes appear to look bruised. I understand that you have another med condition that may have caused this, but just because your test was negative doctors a lot of times say it is something else. I never tested positive and I have a flaming Lyme infection. I think you should get an appt with a Lyme doc and just make sure. You don't want to play around with this and end up like me.

Wishing someone gave me my advice 2 years ago!!!! Please let me know what you decide.