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Posted 8/18/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, nice to meet you all :) I have a question about diagnosis. Yesterday, while driving an insect fell down my shirt and gave me a very nasty bite/sting. I have no idea what it was, but this morning I ended up with a very prominent bullseye rash about 4cm wide. My PCP looked at it and is 98% certain it's Lyme. We are waiting on the bloodwork to see if it is or not. She says I may need to repeat it if it's negative, since antibodies do not typically show up so soon.

I am terrified if the result turns out to be positive. Are there other insects that can give you a bullseye rash? The doctor went in the bite area and pulled out pieces of an insect today, it wasn't identifiable though. Sorry, I know that is gross.

Can anyone shed some light on diagnosis? Thanks.
Posted 8/18/2011 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
Better safe than sorry.

We all know ticks are the main culprit of Lyme. But if you think about it... why wouldn't other insects carry as well? It's just logical. Like if a mosquito bites an infected animal, then bites you right after... why wouldn't that transmit Lyme to you?

I have also heard strange rules like "a tick needs to be on you for at least 24 hours". Who made that rule up? Here's what I know for sure... in nature there are no rules. Once an insect has drawn blood... all bets are off.

I'm not an expert and these are merely opinions based on personal logic. But if you are worried about Lyme... treat ASAP. It's alot harder to get rid of once you get sick. A pre-emptive strike is not a bad idea. Good luck.
Posted 8/18/2011 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Britgirl,

Welcome to the forum! It is good that you were able to get to your doctor and have them see your rash.

I'm not very confident that a blood test this early on would yield anything. What is being recommended in the early stage is a course of antibiotics.

Addressing this immediately will avoid a world of trouble later on.

Have a look through our resources listed in the permanent thread "New to Lyme?..." located at the top of this forum. You could go back to your doctor with that info in hand and confidently -- and politely! -- insist on treatment.

www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/treatment_guidelines.html

Good luck!
Posted 8/18/2011 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies! She prescribed me a course of Doxy, 100mg twice a day for 21 days. So at least she is on top of it. She told me there have been 3 new cases in the practice over the last week. Scary stuff. Is there a trick to taking the med without causing stomach troubles?
Posted 8/18/2011 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Take your Doxy right after a full meal. A cracker won't do it.

Absolutely avoid all dairy products-- at least 2 hours before and 2 hours after.

And don't go in the sun !!! Doxy can burn you to a crisp--- even with mega sunscreen, especially if you're very fair skinned.

Best of luck! You caught this early so you should fully recover....IMO.
Posted 8/18/2011 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Great! So glad you got a course of treatment!

You should take a good probiotic two hours after each time you take the doxy. Get the kind from the health food store that is sold from a refridgerator. Take maybe double the amount suggested on the label.

This will prevent problems with yeast overgrowth in your gut and other areas.

Looks like you are in great shape!
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