Hi Everyone, Please help - my husband removed a tick from his leg on Thursday, the tick bite left a small (1/2 inch) black and blue. There hasn't developed a bulls eye or ring or any other rash. However, he came home from work yesterday feeling incredibly ache, muscle weakness, fever, chills, headache, and dizzy. He hasn't eaten much.
The reason I am incredibly panicked is because we're leaving the country in 2 days (on Tuesday) to go to Europe for vacation for 10 days. I am very concerned about his symptoms getting worse while abroad.
His doctor says that he can't be treated unless there's a rash or bulls eye, but i've read CDC and other info on other tick borne disease (other than Lyme), and those are the ones I am worried about. I am looking for any advice you may have, especially regarding the going out of country in 2 days piece.
My current plan of action is to take him to the ER and get doxycycline which has been shown effective in many of the tick borne diseases, which he can take here and abroad - what do ya'll think?
Thank you so much for this community!
Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :
Go for the Doxycycline! Ann - OH
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Most of us are CHRONIC due to NOT having a RASH to let us know we were sick!!
he needs 200mg of doxy twice a day for 6 wks or until ALL symptoms are gone for 2 months
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
PS... Unless you're asking for an LLMD, you might want me to move this to Medical.
let me know
Posted by Hopeny (Member # 35984) on :
There is lots of information on treatthebite - documented to treat the bite. You can also easily find on the internet, I think even from the CDC website, documentation that in at least 30% of cases there is no rash and to give treatment for symptoms. Since your husband now has symptoms, there is good reason even for an uninformed, arrogant doctor to treat him. If you read through these boards and see how many people suffer from Lyme, you are very fortunate to catch it at this stage. My advice would be to postpone your vacation and get your husband treated. If he is starting to get sick you do not want to be stuck in an emergency in a foreign country. Trust me Lyme is total hell. BTW if they do blood work your husband will not test positive now, it takes 4-6 weeks to show up. Good luck.
Posted by Baltimoregal (Member # 37903) on :
Thank you everyone, really appreciate the support.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I would CANCEL your vacation. Seriously.
With Doxycycline - NO SUN EXPOSURE is allowed. It can cause serious sunburn, even through a car window. All skin would need to be shielded. Sun screen cannot handle the full task, all the time if you planed for fun in the sun.
Flying, even when just dizzy can be horrible. The severe symptoms he has warrants severe action.
If ill, at some mid-point, he may be grounded by the airlines -- and sick and without access to proper care. It could also cost you thousands of dollars.
Lyme can be fatal, in some cases, and you can't take that risk. Flying adds enormous stress to the body.
In addition to doxycycline, though, it would be best to ALSO get flagyl or equivalent to address the cystic form. Without that, doxy can cause lyme to become chronic.
But, some have gotten lucky with just doxy, many more have not and it returns even harder to fight.
I hope you find the doctor you need.
CALL your local lyme support group.
Even with doxy &/or flagyl, though flying can be nearly impossible.
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation.
===================
I know this must be a very frightening and disappointing time. But, I have traveled with dizzy and ill and it's been horrible.
There is no way to predict how the medicine will work for him if he does get it. Most lyme meds cause a "herxheimer reaction" that can be very rough sailing.
Oh, if your vacation plans involve any boat travel, that could also be very rough due to the inner ear effects he's having.
Also with lyme/treatment: no alcohol; no stimulating coffee or soda; no sugar.
If he's not used to a new food plan, this can through a vacation into a spin, too.
PROBIOTICS also necessary.
So sorry this happened. I hope you find the help you need. About all: safety. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I can't imagine traveling overseas undertreated. This could truly be a nightmare.
and yes, the doxy burn would be a great deterrent to any outdoor activities
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
?
Posted by Bugsy (Member # 37572) on :
Please don't go...listen to everyone. I'm just getting over a dox burn and I used sunscreen and stayed in the shade and it wasn't enough. Plus like everyone has said the hex is horrible. At one point I thought my brain was going to bust out of my head. It felt like it was viberating.
Bugsy
Posted by Bugsy (Member # 37572) on :
Oh one more thing, while on dox and I did travel, I ended up with staph bc my body could not fight it.