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Posted by dmac (Member # 6768) on :

I was treated with antibiotics about 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. My doctor said that I tested positive for Lyme. Right now I have finished the antibiotics and feel ok. Is there anything else I should be doing

Posted by heartsickmommy (Member # 6417) on :

How long after the tick bite did you have your blood drawn - the blood that gave you a positive for Lyme? What testing procedure did your doctor use? How long were you on antibiotics? How long have you been off antibiotics?

A little history will help a great deal in getting answers to your questions.

Also, there is a post floating around here somewhere that you should look over. It has tons of links to probably more information that you'd ever care to read about Lyme Disease.

I'll go look for it to bring it back up to the top for you.

edited: Brought the "Newbie Links" post up to the top for you.

[This message has been edited by heartsickmommy (edited 11 January 2005).]

Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

It seems to be the case that people treated immediately after a tick bite, with an adequate dose, tend to do well and are cured. However, no one really knows what an adequate dose is, since the infection could resurface later. Only time will tell.

The other thing is that sometimes ticks pass you more than one germ. And those other germs might require additional treatment. Were you tested for anything else besides lyme?

I know a family of four who all got lyme at the same time, got early treatment, but responded quite differently. Two did well. Two others required much longer treatment than is usually given for early catches. Plus, two of them also got other germs. One ended up with permanent damage that required surgery.

As you can see by this one case, it is quite difficult to say with any certainty how your situation will turn out. Got my fingers crossed that you knocked it in the head and will have no long term consequences. Stay away from ticks, since it is also possible to be re-infected any number of times.

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Welcome dmac to this 24/7 educational support group!

TRhttp://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/029917.html

Here is TREEPATROL & TINCUP's combined newbie links. Print it off & check off as you read as there are months of reading here!

Betty G., Iowa

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :

10 days seems a bit skimpy, not matter how recent the exposure.

The risk of waiting and seeing if you are well is too great.

My son supposedly had "recent" exposure and a month of abx. 4 years later we are trying to get rid of lyme and co-infections.

Welcome!

Mel

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :

opps! i see that treatment wasn't ten days.

Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :

Welcome to LymeNet. I hope we can help you with the info you need.

From what you wrote, I'm a little confused.
Not sure if you were treated 10 days after the tick bite or if you were given 10 days of abx treatment.

Usually, it takes 3 or 4 weeks for the body to make enough antibodies to be detected by the Lyme tests, unless a person had a prior infection.

More info would help, but answers are not required.

1) How long after the tick bite was the test?
2) What antibiotic (abx) were you given?
3) What dose per day?
4) How long did you take it?
5) Did you have the bull's eye rash or any other symptoms?

Recommend:
Print "Basic Info - 1 & 2" on www.ilads.org
(top left) Note # 5 - 8 concern testing.
#10 says that there has never been a study that proves 30 days of antibiotics cures Lyme disease...

Print "Diag Hints & Treat Guidelines..." www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html
It's 32 pages of excellent info written by one of the best Lyme Literate Med Drs (LLMDs)for physicians to use & patients to learn.
In the middle, look for 'Antibiotic Choices' & 'Treatment Categories'.

It sounds like you're still fairly early in the disease. It's very important to be sure you receive adequate treatment now or the disease will flare up again.
Kinda like an ear infection that seems to be cured by abx but simmers along & flares up again.

The opportunity to treat early will not come around again. Just want you to be sure you get adequate treatment now.

It's much better to err on the side of caution rather than let this disease develop into a chronic illness.