HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Rash on back

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/20/2014 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have developed a slightly itchy rash on my back. Mostly goes down the middle of my back.
I'm thinking it's a reaction to the abx.
If I can put up with the rash, is it harmful to do so?

I'm wondering if I need to go off the antibiotics just to make sure that's what the cause is.
Do herxes ever cause rashes?

The weird thing is it's not on any other part of my body. It's worse in the evenings.
Posted 8/20/2014 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes herxes can cause rashes. When I was on the Synergy Protocol I had daily rashes from day 1 for 4 straight months. Mine would come and go quickly. I know it wasn't a reaction to the herbs because I've had that happen on no treatment. It also brought out tiny itchy bumps which was another Lyme symptom of mine. It's a tough call I know whether to continue but just monitor it and make sure it doesn't get any worse.
Posted 8/20/2014 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ToddPaul - the thing is - I never had these bumps before treatment, and they came after several weeks of doxy.
Maybe it's just too toxic for me to stay on these for so long - although I'm only at 6 weeks - a drop in the pan in the Lyme world.
Posted 8/20/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mike...I will do that...it's on my list.

BTW - were your rashes ever isolated to one area? Mine is just on my back. kind of weird because my back is where my worst symptoms currently are...pain/stiffness.upper/mid/lower/shoulder blades.
Posted 8/20/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
As of last year (when I was prescribed multiple rounds of various abx), I am now allergic to a couple of them (bright red itchy rash around neck and chest—and an antsy, agitated feeling). ER doc and LLMD both recommended popping Benedryl, which helps diffuse the rash and especially the itching. I asked the same question—is this harmful to take if I'm having a reaction and both said that as long as the reaction isn't anaphylactic or something like that, it's probably OK. However, these were short courses of abx. I will have to have a whole other convo w/ LLMD when I start abx tx. Maybe the benedryl will help you intermittently and you won't always have a reaction?

-p
Posted 8/20/2014 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking maybe I'll take another break from the doxy. I am taking zithro with it, but pulsing it 5 on, 5 off.
But, I've been on doxy since July 4th - except for a 6 day break a couple weeks ago. My rash didn't go away, but it seemed a bit better...so maybe I'll have to do 3 weeks on, 1 week off doxy.

I'll let the LLND decide - seeing him on Saturday. This will be my first appointment with someone who is truly LL. To this point, I've pretty much been self-medicating. smhair
Posted 8/20/2014 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
oh wow. You're doing well, then to be so informative and treating yourself up 'til now. Your LLND will love you.

I am now remembering a couple of posters here awhile back suggesting that their body eventually got overwhelmed with the toxic abx Rx—even with a pulsing approach and they had reactions. And even with herbals that I'm on, my LLMD has cautioned more than once to listen to my body and if I feel I need to take a break, she'd support it.

Please report back what your LLND says—so great that you found one (I am forced to see both LLMD AND the ND separately).

-p
Posted 8/20/2014 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Pirouette - don't most Docs hate it when you tell them what you know about medical stuff? Maybe LL docs are different?
I just don't trust docs because of my experiences in the past. So I usually do my own research on everything.
Reasons:
1. My premature baby was misdiagnosed at 5 weeks old - he had pyloric stenosis...Dr. insisted it was gastroenterologist. He didn't have diarrhea or a fever...just projectile vomiting and crying like his tummy hurt. I thought he had pyloric stenosis and took him to another Dr. - yup. He had to have surgery - before he was even at his due date.
2. My son was undiagnosed for 9 years - had Celiac disease - symptom was he couldn't keep his iron up - the Ferritin -even with supplementation. Docs said he just needs to eat red meat (my son was a vegetarian from 3 years old) - I knew that was a bunch of baloney.
3. My father is in a Full Care Facility today because he went in for surgery on his hip and during his 5 week hospital stay, they gave him sleep meds and didn't tell anyone. He got out - three days later - tremendous anxiety (we found out later he was withdrawing from the sleeping meds) - Dr. prescribed ativan as needed to 4 per day, along with sleeping pills at night. They then took away the ativan about 5 weeks later - cold turkey..and my dad went into a psychosis from withdrawal. It wasn't recognized as that...and he ended up in the psych ward...where that was the beginning of the end for him psychiatrically - cognitively and emotionally.

Three years of fighting the system for my father - along with a very stressful job, and an injury - here I am with Lyme disease.

Sorry for the ramble, but that's why I have trouble just giving myself over to the Docs.

We don't have LLMD's here in Canada. There was one, but he was forced to retire...as they threatened to take his license away. He now works to educate people on Lyme disease.
But, I have heard a lot of good things about the LLND I am seeing.
I'm looking forward to it - actually excited about it - hope I'm not disappointed...
Posted 8/20/2014 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I say be very, very careful. If your body doesn't tolerate the abx very well, and the rash progresses - stop all abx - no matter what any practitioner tells you. It can be the start of a serious allergic reaction.

Otherwise, rashes showing up anywhere on the body during treatment for Lyme isn't all that unusual.

I'm like you, Girlie - I just don't trust the doctors any more - I've had too many - uhm, shall we say, disappointments? Fairly major "disappointments", although they didn't turn out like your situation with your Dad (so sorry to hear this!!), fortunately.

It's been my experience that very, very few doctors like their patients knowing much - and like it even less if their patients' spouses know more about a subject than they do!! smhair

Although there are a few doctors out there that do appreciate a well-informed patient - the doc I'm seeing now is really wonderful. We actually discussed my having gotten reinfected, testing options (I opted for none) and my treatment!! She wanted me to go for IV abx and I wanted to try my herbal treatment again!! So try to talk with them intelligently, but be prepared for your doc to not like it - just in case.
Posted 8/20/2014 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I know Traveler - I'm not going to do much talking - other than my symptoms and what I'm currently taking. I'm going to be on my best behavior. smilewinkgrin

I don't want to intimidate him with my wealth of knowledge.. hehe
Posted 8/20/2014 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
LOL!!wink Good idea!! No need to blow him away on the first visit!! Giggle!!! turn
Posted 8/22/2014 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm, you know, my llmd actually prefers for the patient to be "lyme-literate" themselves. He even states this on his website even that ""it is important for the patient to be lyme-literate""....so yes, I guess llmd's can be different than the other doctors. Mine actually appreciates the knowledge anyway!

Jeez, with all that Girlie...I guess you have lost your faith in Doctors! I totally dont blame you! Im sorry to hear you have had to endure all that.

I mean, what do the doctors get paid the *BIG BUCKS-so to speak for anyway! My experience with lyme has led me to lose my faith in most doctors as well. They sure arent like they used to be......genuinely caring for their patients well being and thinking outside of the box what could be wrong rather than these days they go with what fits in their 'lil box' it seems.

Great Doctors are a dying breed it seems for the most part, its very disheartening :-/


I hope all goes well with your appt. Girlie!

xx's-Courtney
Posted 8/22/2014 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Courtenay! I haven't heard one negative comment on this Dr. I'm seeing tomorrow. I talked to one person who described him as "amazing". The other person i talked to is from a Lyme Disease support group a few and she knows about 10 people who go to him and they all just love him. He's described as knowledgeable, kind, calm, and doesn't push his own supplements, etc. He seems to be understanding when you're on a budge. He also does telephone or skype appointments - and you only need to see him in person every 3 months or so. That is good news for me because he is 5 - 6 hours away (driving/ferry) so I'll hopefully get to do phone consults.
BTW - regarding doctors. When I was a little girl, the doctors did house calls if you were sick. Those days are gone!
Posted 8/23/2014 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Ur welcome Girlie-Girl!! ;-) Its so funny that you called me 'Courtenay' as that has been a nick name throughout the years by some of my friends and fam!!!

I love that you will be seeing a doctor with such a great reputation....absolutely so comforting and re-assuring that you will be in good hands.

Big day tomorrow...prayers to you for a comfortable & safe trip

xx's -Courtney
Posted 8/23/2014 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Oops Courtney! I spelled your name wrong becuz theres a city close to where I live - Courtenay.. so its just a habit to spell it that way. Thanks for the well-wishes.

Its good timing to see him as Ive had a bad day today with symptoms - lots of nerve pain!
But tomorrow's another day....
Posted 8/23/2014 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Wasnt sure if intentional or not...but I thought it was cute & funny you said it that way Girlie!! Lol

Also ..Ughh..I hear ya girl...Im sorry......I have been on a roller coaster ride w/ symptoms also lately myself with predominant nerve stuff. I was a complete shaking/nerve tremors wreck when I walked into my llmds office for the first time. So truly glad your getting in to see him! I dont know if you are christian, but they say "The Lord may be a little late...but he's always on time!"
......So I bet this is def 'good timing' for you to get into your appointment w/him ;-)


Warmest regards-Courtney
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply