Can I get lyme again if I'm still treating?

A recent tick bite is usually taken care of with a few weeks of doxy.

I would take it.

I have great respect for Buhner's protocols. His work has helped me a ton. But I think that herbs tend to work slowly, especially for Lyme... his philosophy is basically for the herbs to out-compete the ability of Lyme bacteria to thrive over the long term. For a recent bite, I'd say do the antibiotics. You might have a chance to zap it and stop anything worse from taking root.

Thank you all!! This is very helpful advice!!! I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing, but I scheduled an appointment with a doctor for tomorrow morning. I've never been to this doctor (my medical doctor retired a few years ago). I'm very averse to going to a medical doctor for various reasons unless it's an emergency. But I had a sense this is what I was supposed to do.

What do I do if this "doctor" (she's actually a nurse practitioner) will only prescribe for 200 mg/day? I told them when I called for the appointment that I needed to be seen for a tick bite, so I assume in Pennsylvania that a nurse practioner can prescribe for a tick bite.

HzKabod said...
What do I do if this "doctor" (she's actually a nurse practitioner) will only prescribe for 200 mg/day?

My suggestion would be to let the ILADS Treatment Guidelines do the talking. That way, your doctor is reading the recommendations and evidence of other doctors who treat tick-borne diseases, versus listening to a patient.

Without supportive material and justification, your doctor may not be willing to go outside the "standard of care." After all, they are beholden to medical boards and don't want to lose their licenses. So, help them help you.

ILADS Treatment Guidelines

1. Go to https://www.ilads.org/patient-care/ilads-treatment-guidelines
2. Scroll down and click "Download ILADS’ 2014 Evidence-Based Treatment Guidelines"
3. Use the Search tool to find "Q1." (Question #1) You should find two instances.
4. The first "Q1" and corresponding answer is brief. The second is a detailed discussion.

Girlie, I know the insurance would definitely see the Rx from 2 different doctors & call it into question.

Dude, that is a great idea.

I had my appointment on Fri. The one bite she told me was a spider bite. The other possible bite a week earlier, which I only had a photo of a small ring on my knee, was not conclusive enough for her to decide it was a tick bite. Since I mentioned that I was not thrilled to have to take an antibiotic, she said she didn't want to push me to do that. Instead she wanted me to watch for symptoms & to do another lyme test. I'm not sure that will be helpful as I had active lyme show up in a test for the 2nd time in Sept. I have been on Buhner protocol herbs since 2017. I will be talking to my main health practioner on Monday.