posted
I removed a deer tick, and within hours had the bullseye rash. I went to the dr. 4 days later was tested for lymes, she put me on Doxycycline 2 x's a day, 4 days later the test came back neg., and I had a second bullseye. Has anyone had a rash and neg test for lyme?
Posts: 1 | From virginia | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Hi, Lyme disease tests are only 30-40% accurate. Also, if you have lyme disease your test will not show up positive for a few weeks after you are bitten.
Since you have a bullseye rash I would assume that you do have Lyme disease. Four days of doxyxycline is not long enough to kill lyme disease, you will need to take it for at least a month.
I would say to go to a different doctor and show them the rash and try to get them to treat you for longer until you can go see a LLMD (lyme literate MD). Early treatment is the key for sucessful treatment of the disease.
Good luck, Lulu
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
2 bulls-eyes!! yes, lyme and/or CO-INFECTIONS can be any of up to 30 other diseases the tick has!
infectious mds will only prescribe 30 days max but insist/DEMAND 3-4 months worth of antibiotics so you will BE CURED & NOT GET CHRONIC LYME LIKE THE REST OF US!
be vocal as your occupation has made you be!
i just sent you my 58 pages newbie package of info galore.
print off Dr. B's 06 lyme treatment guidelines; read it over good.
post in SEEKING DR. showing largest city in virginia you live closest to! not many llmds in your state! iowa/other midwest states have NONE so you are better off than us.
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posted
The bullseye rash is a reaction to Lyme bacteria, not a reaction to the tickbite. It is enough to diagnose Lyme even if the test is negative.
Many people get the rash and test negative, especially if they get antibiotics right away like you did. The tests only measure the body's immune response which often takes weeks to become positive (if it ever does).
If you're new to Lyme you may notice that a lot of issues are controversial, but this isn't one of them. Both sides acknowledge that early tests are often falsely negative especially when antibiotics are given, and that the rash is enough to make a diagnosis.
If your doctor took you off antibiotics because of the negative test, please find someone who is more knowledgeable (visit "Seeking a Doctor"). Also, you might want to take a picture of those rashes while they're still there.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Wow. A bulls-eye rash is Lyme.
Treatment of 200mg of doxy isn't enough.
It needs to be at least 300mg a day for at least 28 days.
If you still have the rash, take a picture of it.
Negative blood work doesn't mean anything. It takes at least 4-6 weeks for the body
To post an immune response. The test may still be negative then.
Please find a Lyme literate Medical Doctor and get the proper treatment.
You can beat this thing if caught early and given the right antibiotics.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
YES many people have had that- you definitely have Lyme or being in the South, STARI (another similar tick borne rash associated disease). Please go to Seeking Doctors and find a Lyme doc because you have a brief window to stop this from going chronic and you can most likely get it treated into remission at this time with continued treatment!! Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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