New and frustrated...Please help!

Hi,

about three weeks after going to a park where a tick was discovered in someone's bag, I had the feeling I had come down with Lyme's. I was having strange sweats, pain in my finger joints and feeling just too tired.

Then about a month later, what looked like a bullseye rash showed up on my forearm and I happened to see it when I was washing my face.

My doctor thought it looked similar enough to a Lyme's rash to go ahead and start the Doxy. Within a week, the rash was gone. The sweats got worse but the pain in my finger joints got better. Fatigue about the same. about 2 and 1/2 weeks in, I got the intense burning sensation on my skin. Even my scalp burns. I kept covered up when outside but avoided it and wore a hat with UV protection and yet still, the burning sensation.

I have packed on weight and not changed anything in my diet. Well, except now to eliminate all sugar. And my mood hasn't been great.

I have been off the Doxy for a little over two weeks and the burning sensation continues to be there. Not all the time but enough to be extremely upsetting. How long does it take for this to go away? I asked this to my doctor and he said it may take a while but should eventually go. In the meantime, he had nothing to offer me to make me more comfortable. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?

He did do the blood test for Lyme's -- sorry, I don't know which one -- but it didn't show up. I'm not convinced that means the rash was something else.

I would like a referral to a Lyme specialist in and around Philadelphia. I don't mind driving an hour.

Thanks!

DancingChicken

Hi Dancing chicken!!! LOL! I do like your choice of a screen name!!!

As Lovehealth has suggested, it would be very helpful for you to read through the "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread. It's packed full of really important information about Lyme and the other infections that usually come with it and more.

How long were you on abx? What strength was the dose? It's important for you to get this information if you are not sure. You can always call the Pharmacy or the Doctor's office if you don't know. Just tell them that you just wish to know, not that you are researching any thing to do with Lyme. You don't need any backlash that could happen.

A true bulls eye rash is only from Lyme disease, as it's the skin form of the disease, so if you had the bulls eye rash, there's no doubt that you have Lyme.

It's quite possible that you still have an active infection going on since you are still having symptoms. Going to a LLMD would be your best bet.

For information on finding a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) in your area, you can start a new thread titled something like:"Looking for LLMD/LLND in the _______ area." Although you will need to enable your email option in your profile in order to receive any recommendations, as we don't allow doctor's names and contact info to be posted on the forum for several reasons. You can enable your email option in your profile, under 'edit profile'. Be sure to click the submit button to actually save your preference.

You can also email our long time member, Dan's Mother at:[email protected]

You can also 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) trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. 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

Your spam blocker won't allow me to send an answer to your email. Would you please add my email address to your approved email list? I've tried to follow the instructions on the approval form, but it tells me my time has expired no matter how fast I complete the form!!

The sweats and burning sensation are actually confirmation that you have the infection - really. It's known as a herx and for syphilis and for Lyme, it's considered diagnostic of those conditions when your symptoms increase, or new ones show up.

I do hope you find a Lyme Literate doctor soon. You really need to get into a good treatment protocol soon.

LOL!! Opugirl - I just a good giggle at the way that post looks!!! Giggle!