Hi Wonderboy!
I am so sorry that you have had to deal with these symptoms! However, I am glad that you found us! I'm sure that you will find us to be helpful and understanding!!
It doesn't really look like it in the pictures, but are you olive-skinned? Darker skin people will frequently have more of a bruise looking mark rather than the brighter red. Although that really matters little - any rash combined with those symptoms should be evaluated for Lyme and other tick-borne infections (TBI's). You will need to see a specialist, known as Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMDs) as they will diagnose you clinically (by your symptoms) as directed by the CDC. Tests are supposed to be used only to confirm a diagnosis, not make one.
Another thing is that ticks are no longer the only insect that can pass along these lovely infections - any insect that can bite and survive to bite again can potentially carry these diseases now. So mosquitoes, ants, spiders, and so on are now more dangerous too!
If you haven't already, it would be beneficial 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 relevant information and informative links that have been put together by our members here! We also have a pretty good search function on this forum to help you narrow down your search for information from past posts. We must be our own health advocates now and the best thing to arm yourself with is knowledge!
For information on finding a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, please email our long time member, Dan's Mother at:
[email protected] 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) doctor. 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 Another thing you can do is to post a new thread with the title something like "Looking for a LLMD near ________." Please be sure to not put your exact
location, as we are in an
open forum - meaning that anyone , not just members, can read your posts.