Confusion: A bullseye of Insignificant Size

A few days ago, Friday March 16, I removed a tick from my inner thigh. I am unsure how long it was attached, but I can confidently confirm he/she was sucking away. I immediately attempted to remove the tick and found it to be a little more difficult than I had envisioned. When I would tug on him/her the skin on my leg would completely lift up and I could feel the pull. I decided to give a nice big yank and see what happend. I was in luck. I pulled the parasitic abomination out in entirety. I immediately ran to the kitchen and grabbed a paper towel to place the infectious varmen in. I took one quick look and become so overwhelmed that I went directly to the fireplace and tossed it in.
I know ticks carry Lyme so I decided to take pictures of the bite; I would be able to monitor and have a record of what transpired this way. At first it didn’t look bad, but by early Saturday Morning I was a little concerned. The area was still red and had a rashy look. It still was nothing like the horrific google pictures, but it was looking a little conspicuous. I decided to take morning and evening pictures to help my documentation and by Saturday night I was a little concerned.
I sent the pictures to my brother, a medical employee who has years of service as an EMT and a veterinarian technician. His reply was simple. Go to the Dr. and get some Doxy. Time is critical. Well heck, that’s not what I was hoping to hear. I also sent the pictures to my significant other who was out of town for the week volunteering at an event for at risk children. She is also a Lyme recovery and has been symptom free for 6 years. She promptly called and expressed her concern. She also expressed her concern that many doctors do not listen and for me to be cautious to arrogance. Hmmm. I know that battle as I suffered its appearance during my Celiac Diagnosis. I wasn’t going to go to the ER, cost reasons, but I would go, on Monday, to a doctor.
By the time Monday morning rolled around there was no mistaking it. There was a tiny, about the size of my pinky nail, bullseye on my inner thigh. I promptly looked up an infectious disease specialist and gave them a call. I was informed that without a referral I wasn’t going to be seen and they are unwilling to give any advice over the phone. There only advice: go to Urgent Care. Wow, these people could care less whether I was ok or not. I took the advice and went in to our local Urgent Care in Santa, Cruz. It was operated by a large health care chain.
It took about an hour for the Dr. to come in and see me. I explained what had happened and he looked me in the eye and said, “Yes, it looks like a bullseye rash, but it isn’t one. It isn’t big enough. Also if the tick wasn’t on you for over 24hrs you can not contract Lyme. I’ve been doing this for 20 yrs and that isn’t Lyme. However; since you don’t know how long the tick was on you I’m going to give you a dose, two 100mg pills of Doxy, to take care of it. If any Lyme did get in this will prevent it from developing and you will be fine.” What the BLEEP! Monique was livid. I brought her with me as she has dealt first hand with the disease and cares about me more than the Dr. To him I am #6219544. The doctor assures us it’s not Lyme by saying it doesn’t look big enough. No test is ran, no discussion of possible symptoms, and no concern is shown. With this we make are leave.
Monique and my brother are both furious and urge me to get a second opinion, but without insurance I can’t afford it. The UC visit was $300 for a ten minute discussion where my concerns were silenced and ignored. So I am now reaching out to people who have lived, practical experience with Lyme and asking for their opinion. Do you think these photos are indicative of Lyme? Is the size of the bullseye relevant? Should I be attempting to get antibiotic treatment? I have had a headache and nausea off and on since midday Saturday. Should this be concerning? I have as well been taking Amoxicillin, I had some left over from a previous illness, since Sunday night as a precaution. Is this a good idea? Also do you think this looks like a bullseye rash?
Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to read this and thank you tenfold if you respond. My appreciation is eternal.

[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_0UrcIxQ41FSHhjbE1vdHVwRkZXd3NQQ01DVTZhSWFiUmRF/view?usp=sharing

I looked at the photo...looks like a small bullseye.

If it changes take another photo.

The lack of insurance is what hurts me. I can't afford $300 every time I go into an office. I just paid three hundred to hear "take a one day dose, this will prevent it if you did contract it. Do you have any ideas how to procure any antibiotics such as Doxy? Is it a Rx only? I wont be able to get into any physician until next week after I get paid. No one is willing to see me without a deposit of three hundred and all the infectious disease Dr.s I contact wouldn't see me without a referral. They wouldn't even give me any advise other than get a referral and we can set up an appointment. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't want to let this go untreated, but don't know what avenue to pursue.

insomniaaa said...
Yes looks like a mini bullseye. You can clearly see the outer red ring.
Better safe than sorry. Its good that you took some amoxicillin. Talk to your doctor ask him how much antibiotics to take and which one. Don't forget to take probiotics. Drink Lots of water. And some milk thistle for the liver.
You want to take the abx before you feel like crap from the flu like symptoms that accompany these tick Borne infections.
Are the headache and nausea caused by the amoxicillin?

Good luck.

No, don't ask the dr. how much to take - he needs to take 200 mg twice daily of doxy.

The Doc will most likely give him a couple of pills.

The bullseye rash is DIAGNOSTIC for lyme disease...this is not the same as treating prophylactically.

I agree with Girlie, it's far more cost effective to treat now and early rather than later. At the same time, if you don't have the money, you don't have the money. Although controversial advice, is there a reputable website, maybe in Canada or something that you can (safely) order Doxy without a prescription? Or can your EMT brother get you the hook up?

CatLady18 said...
I agree with Girlie, it's far more cost effective to treat now and early rather than later. At the same time, if you don't have the money, you don't have the money. Although controversial advice, is there a reputable website, maybe in Canada or something that you can (safely) order Doxy without a prescription? Or can your EMT brother get you the hook up?

you can get doxy without a prescription in Canada?


I know of one in India...not Canada though.

buy some online take herbs make excuses for doc skin stuff works best they will mino or doxy all year for acne vulgaris ...please dont become chronic...when a few bucks can save years of pain and destruction

I'm not sure if it's okay to post this, but this site offers online consultations with a doctor for 39.99 for routine type care (it says acne, rashes, medication refills). They can fill a prescription for you, and reviews look pretty solid. Again, I haven't used the service so can't vouch for them.

https://www.mdproactive.com

CatLady18 said...
I know of people who have purchased medications online from "Canada" (perhaps the medication is coming from somewhere outside Canada though or somewhere unregulated) supposedly without an RX, I have never done so can't speak to whether there is any truth to it/the quality, and obviously you want to practice extreme caution.

I also was going to recommend what you said, bluelyme, any dermatologist will prescribe a 30-day doxy or mino supply for acne (you have to actually have acne though). The challenge, of course, is coming up with the money for the doctor's visit and meds.

Only ones I have seen here in Canada require a prescription.

notquitesoscared13 said...
Amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times daily for 20 to 30 days, I believe, is a potential regimen for early Lyme. After much research, I have taken fish tank Amoxicillin on more than one occasion with no ill affects. Supposedly it is exactly the same stuff that is sold for human consumption. I buy it on Ebay. It is sold as Fish Mox Forte. I have taken more than 3 bottles of the stuff. I am not a doctor nor an expert, and of course do not suggest that you act on my advise alone. Just throwing it out there as my own experience. There's plenty of info online that you can google yourself.

Thank you, tenfold. I found exactly what I needed! Thank you to everyone for your consideration, concern, and compassion. It is a blessing to have a place for support and collaboration. Again, thank you all.
Much love,
Alan

Girlie said...
Alan - will you treat for several weeks.. and if you develop any symptoms - like fatigue, fever, joint pain..etc then continue to treat until you are symptom free plus an additional 4 weeks ??

And we’d like to hear from you again - to know you are well.

I will keep everyone informed. I already have two of the above mentioned symptom. It's rather unfortunate, but it's life. I'll continue to place one foot in front of the other and move forward, even if it's only in the slightest. I have enough Doxy, and the ability to acquire more, to last for two months. I am hoping everything goes well.

In honesty today has been rather difficult. It all become overwhelming. My body is exhausted, my joints (especially my right hand) have a dull ache that is like an unquenchable thirst, and I've cried, laughed, been angry, depressed, and over joyed all in the span of 12 hours. I had no idea the difficulties involved with this disease. Fortunately I have a loving, altruistic support group; the support group isn't limited to my family and friends either.

My bad tick bite left a reddish lump that lingered 4-6 weeks. The reddish area around the lump was about the size of a quarter.