I've met several people who were bitten and subsequently treated and remain asymptomatic. I wonder if catching & treating Lyme early eradicates coinfections as well as Lyme. Is it possible that these folks only had Lyme and were lucky?
Posted by AAmeri21 (Member # 5410) on :
Thats a really good point. I was wondering that myself. I have talked to so many people who have been treated early and they are asymptomatic. I was talking to someone yesterday explaining Babesiosis and how there are other TBD. They looked at me like I was crayzy but I'm used to it. Hmmm...... I wonder
Take Care Abbie
------------------ You can only see the stars when its the darkest.................
Posted by sfspike (Member # 5469) on :
My grandson had the EM rash last summer.
He immediately went on ammoxyciline for 8 weeks. He never developed any other symptoms that we identified. He has been well ever since.
I think catching it early makes it much easier to cure.
Posted by duke77 (Member # 5051) on :
In 1983' my father pulled a tick off his calf about a week later had the rash. Went to the dr (Illinois in 83' talk about ducks they didn't know anything about lyme) gave him seven days of doxy. Hasn't had a problem since though.
Catching it and treating it early is the key. Just because you catch it early doesn't necessarily mean you won't have problems later. I have read many stories about people who were on abx for a month or more after they got the rash. They were fine for several years then Lyme came out. Whether it was a reinfection or the initial infection remains to be seen.
Posted by scoutnc (Member # 4200) on :
I am proof that treating early does not eradicate coinfections. I started treatment 3 weeks after the tick bite and only a week and a half after the rash appeared. Although my symptoms were never as bad as most people on this site, 10 months later I am still treating. I also have Babesia and that is why my LLMD thinks it is taking me so long to get over all of this...
Posted by ConnieMc (Member # 191) on :
Same here, scout. But I was treated even earlier, starting at about 1 week after tick exposure. Like you, I also have Babs. And we are both from NC. Interesting, huh? Wonder if there is something strange about these NC ticks? Where were you infected? I was infected in Vance County, which is about 45 mins east of Durham right off I85. I was on a tree farm, and we found many, many tiny black bugs crawling on us. Even after scouring down in the shower, still found several engorged the next day. Gross! I developed rashes within days, and sought treatment. I thought I was fine, but then, started a slow, steady decline a few months later, and about 6 months post exposure, was nearly bedridden. It's a real shame docs wouldn't take my concern about tick-borne infections seriously when I repeatedly mentioned it, as I would not likely still be fairly ill nearly 6 years later if I had been treated at that time.
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
There are several factors here. The presence of "co-infections" is a major one. Some people are more susceptivle to chronic lyme. Their have been identified certain genes that predispose certain people to have much more trouble with lyme than others do. The promptness of a strong enough treatment is important- and I suspect a treatment that is not strong enough. engenders resistance, as well as often causing the lyme spirochetes to transform into "cystic forms" which, though they are not actively attacking the body, can live through the antibiotic treatment and proliferate again later. And then there's general level of well-being; if one's life force happens to be low, the diseases naturally do more damage. I had 6 weeks of doxycycline 100mg twice a day within a couple weeks of the tick bites with the rash, and later I got a really nasty case of lyme-- I did have "co-ibfections", though, too (babesia and ehrlichia). And also, I don't have a spleen. And may be genetically disposed to having a hard time with lyme as well... DaveS
quote:Originally posted by Lymelighter: I've met several people who were bitten and subsequently treated and remain asymptomatic. I wonder if catching & treating Lyme early eradicates coinfections as well as Lyme. Is it possible that these folks only had Lyme and were lucky?
Posted by Tammar104 (Member # 5583) on :
I was bitten back in Dec 2002, had the bullseye rash within 10 days. Went on doxy for 4wks, felt good.
Just recently started feeling lousy all over again, found out I'm still testing positive. So in my case, being treated right away apparently didn't do much, cuz here I am 16 months later right back at the beginning...
Posted by scoutnc (Member # 4200) on :
Conniemc- I picked up my tick in Raleigh. Amazing how we both have lyme and Babs and yet, there is no lyme in NC!!
Take care, Kristen
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Likely depends on the strength of their own immune system, diet, exercise.
Ca and Mg are needed to form ALL antibodies to fight infections.
For insight go here:
be patient, it takes about 2 minutes to download. Then scroll down to page 79 (near the bottom). Romania doctors "Lyme disease and magnesium deficiency". http://coldcure.com/html/2003-mag-abstracts.pdf
This bugger depletes, if my math is correct, about 30% of our supply. Holy cow! A 10% reduction causes osteoporosis.
Posted by frenchbraid (Member # 4225) on :
My youngest daughter was started on abx literally as the bulls eyes were breaking out on her face. I mean literally. We were standing at the pharmacy while they were still forming. She did 30 days of heavy duty abx (she was only 4 at the time).
She continued on with life like nothing had ever happened. Gifted and talented program....dance classes..... etc.
Then BAM!!! Out of the blue! It took almost 2 years for the really BAD symptoms to resurface....as well as some new ones.
It is my belief that we hit it early and swiftly. But, it was also the same summer that she received her "kindergarten" shots. I believe that the Mercury in those shots brought out what ever Lyme was laying dormant.
She struggled and when her immune system was vulnerable, it took over big time!
frenchbraid
------------------ Stay positive. Smile. People care.