posted
posted 07 November, 2006 12:12 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Poorhouse, email me the pics:
This pic was taken yesterday. Today, the bites are each twice the size since yesterday and much redder in real life. There appears to be a bite in the center but it's weird that they started out circular, but now each is getting wider and longer, but not proportionately.
There is burning and itching. I tried benedryl on them and it helps a little.
Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I'm no expert, just can refer to what I learned with my bites and my dad's, which were so different from each other but both Lyme.
Erythema Migrans Lyme rashes are supposed to expand - that is one of their signature characteristics. So the fact that yours are getting larger could be a worry.
Is there central clearing - the inner portion a little or a lot lighter/clearer than the outermost rings? That is more indicate of Lyme, too.
My EM was so faint that it was hard to see any central clearing.
Are they raised? Again, I can only base it on the rashes I've personally seen, but the ones I saw were not raised above the skin's surface. But hopefully other people will chime in on this issue.
It's hard for me to tell from the photos because I can't see the puncture wounds. But they actually look a bit like my possible Bartonella rash which I got once beginning Bart treatment.But they were red and hive-like and raised, but clearly no bite marks. So that probably rules that out for you.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hmmm.
I definitely see what looks like a raised bite toward the center.
Course that could be from a tick or could be from a flea.
As to size of EM's, don't anyone get all comfy. Mine was not much bigger than somewhere between a quarter and a half-dollar. Nothin real exciting. So what did I do? Nothin.
Is your LLMD far far away? Maybe have him take a look at it?
If it's expanding (and you say doubling!), please take another picture. Don't worry about resizing it, just email it to me and I will do the honors. (Have DSL, will travel.)
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Cut & pasted Michelle's offer to post pic for you because your description sounded like the rash I had this summer-Piqued my curiousity!
Looks an awful lot like what was on my leg-(actually both legs & under one arm) Began like mosquito bites -Only one turned red, hot & itchy-with bite mark in center-no clearing....grew to about 2 " in circumference-lasted about a week to 10 days-Think the d**m thing nibbled on me!
Never did see a tick (first time)-Few weeks later DID find a tick -not engorged & then another similar rash not too far away-Was already on doxy-watched it grow & disappear in a matter of a few days
Sooooooo sorry! Hope it's something harmless! Sue
Posts: 249 | From finger lakes, ny | Registered: Jul 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
It is possible to have a potential Lyme rash biopsied. It is not always a clear-cut diagnosis - I've known people who got biopsied and were negative because I guess there were no spirochetes right at that sample.
But I insisted that my dad's rashes were biopsied and it did come back as consistent with an EM.
You can call IGeneX or MDL and get a biopsy kit.
But you need to find a dermatologist or someone like that who knows how to do a biopsy and is willing to, if your LLMD is not available.
If you do get a biopsy, make sure they include samples from the OUTERMOST part of the rash - most likely to have spirochetes.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
I take it you're not actually on abx now? Probably not, as the rash would likely have been prevented in that case. That is to say, though these rashes are not totally typical of lyme, they are suspicious indeed. If I had rashes of this sort, I'd get some abx (doxycycline, if possible) immediately. The sooner one starts, the less harsh the treatment will end up being!
Beware of co-infections, too, since they can interfere with recovery very seriously! Watch for symptoms like a hawk, too. I sure hope it turns out that you don't have lyme, or that you get it treated fast enough to prevent any problems...
I don't think theres a definite time a tick has to be attached before it can possibly transmit infections, though it is much, much more likely to have transmitted infections if it is engorged.
posted
Thanks so much Michelle. I think it's evident the sores ae getting larger.
For those that don't know me, I have chronic lyme. Been thru months of IV and just stopped.
I was taking a 2 week break when this occurred.
I guess the question is...if it is a tick bite will it all be the same? Will I get worse? Should I start downing the abx I have on hand.......just in case? Is the rocephin still in my system enough to kill the spirochetes?
This sucks!
As always, I have more questions than answers. Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Morning, Poor.
How's those spots this mornin?
If I couldn't get hold of my LLMD atall, and it was ME, and I had some doxy layin around, well.... you know the rest..
Perhaps your friendly local duck can dispense some, in an abundance of caution.
Also, keep in mind that it needn't be a new bite as EM's can manifest themselves again even without a new bite, just for fun -- from the original infection.
Anyway, sorry your belly may not get a respite after all but at least you're all over it.
Maybe you'll tune in and tell us it's gone this morning? Now THAT would be fine news!
Check in and hang in!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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I sent you new pics from today, Michelle. Maybe it's my imagination but I think both continue to grow.
I have a call into my doc now.
Thanks
Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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hardynaka
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8099
posted
Measure them with a ruler. My EM was growing clearly from day to day if I measured. Once I started doxy, they froze immediately and slowly faded (they didn't become smaller, but the whole color slowly faded).
It was a bit itchy, but not like an allergic reaction. The doctor saw it for 1/2 second, and said "EM"!
Selma
Posts: 1086 | From Switzerland | Registered: Oct 2005
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geniveve
Unregistered
posted
michelle, can you please clarify something for me? i had a small raised area, oily on top, itched like crazy that DID NOT expand. greasy looking thing but it was definitely a bulles eye.
well that, and one plus at 39 and 41 led to lyme diagnosis.
just wondering if that thing has to expand or not.
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
as an artist I am used to squinting at things to get a BETTER view. When I squint at your bites I definately see a light ring around them. especially the one higher up on your body. THese are pretty splotchy, but seem to resemble EMs to me.
This must be very upsetting to say the least, I am so sorry this is happening
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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I seem to be getting 2 more of them next to the others.....closer to my shoulder. Very faint right now but prickly. It's a if they are spreading and popping up others as the days go on.
This is bizarre! Except for the one obvious bite mark on the top one, I fear I have the flesh eating virus.
My doc's office called back and wants me to have blood work done right away.
I just can't go through this again..........I never got over it from the last time. :cry:
Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Boy, I would not even hazard a guess! Anything expanding in my opinion warrants caution. (Expanding on your skin, that is; not expanding in my opinion.)
Here's two new pix!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Again, I can only make the parallel to my dad's EMs because I only had one huge one when I was bitten.
He started with two huge ones - one had bite marks, the other didn't. As the days went by, other rashes popped up on the other leg. Then days later (on antibiotics) they popped up on his torso.
These were Lyme rashes so I worry for you. But remember, you will be catching it very early this time.
My dad's Lyme was caught early based on the knowledge we had from my being chronic. So his treatment is a whole different ballgame than mine.
Please consider the EM biopsy, too, if your Lyme doctor agrees.
I don't think you have flesh-eating bacteria - this is not eating into your skin, it's popping up on it.
My prayers are with you,
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Sorry -- here's the last rash pic. Much closer up! (Inbox needing tidied up so I missed it earlier!)
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Thanks so much Michelle. I think I'm tired of looking at this, so the rest of you must be too.
I'll get the blood work done and show these growing rash points to my doc. In the meantime, I popped another 2 biaxin.
Thanks to all of you for holding my hand.....it is very upsetting. But if it is lyme, not like I haven't had it or been able to rid myself of it before. I guess it would be much worse if I had been cured with all of the abx and then got this.
Just get more meds and fight it or if it's not, find out what the heck it is and cure it.
You are all so wonderful and supportive. Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I'm currently on Biaxin & Plaquenil and after 2 years of treatment doing much better. A few months ago I got a rash that looked like individual mosquito bites. One on my foot and one on my hand.
The one on my hand began to spread and had an irregular shape like your rash, it got increasingly itchy. After a few weeks it looked dry and began to fade. Today the itching is gone & the rash almost gone.
The rash on my foot did not spread much.
I think this is a Lyme thing- hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Well, I saw my doc today. Now it's going on 5 lesions.
The good news.........it's not a tick bite reaction.
The bad news..........it's SHINGLES!
Lucky me, oh lucky me. What next? Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
I'm sorry you have shingles - I know from both Lyme and non-Lyme friends and neighbors how painful it can be (I have burning neuropathy all the time so I think I can empathize).
But at least it's something that can be treated by regular doctors, gets paid for by insurance and isn't Lyme!!!
So there should be fewer hassles and a shorter treatment period if you can get on the anti-herpes medications soon enough, and if you get nerve pain then there's Neurontin, etc.
At least it's diagnosed!! I know it's weird to think of shingles as a good thing, but I think it's the lesser of the evils by a long shot.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by tothepoorhouse: Well, I saw my doc today. Now it's going on 5 lesions.
The good news.........it's not a tick bite reaction.
The bad news..........it's SHINGLES!
Lucky me, oh lucky me. What next?
Are you taking Zovirax or some other anti-viral? It can lessen the duration and severity of shingles big time, but ya' gotta' get it quick! I speak from very personal experience...
-------------------- Getting older is when we would rather not have a good time than have to get over it. - Oscar Wilde Posts: 386 | From Radnor, PA - where the ticks run free | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Yep! Doc had me take the antiviral right in the office to start off. Tomorrow, once the rx is filled, I go the 3X a day.
She also told me to use neosporin on the lesions to stop any infection. Also gave me some pain meds.
I like this doc as she knows what she sees and what she is doing. And they see me every time I have an issue.
I just found out that she was named the top doc for my state due to her knowledge and patient care. Nice to know I have someone on my side. Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Just an update on the shingles. When I found out this is what I have now, I did a search on this site. Many of us are prone to shingles at some point.
The virus is still spreading on my shoulder, man this hurts. Like being poked with needles and then a hot iron but it keeps moving so you are not sure what hurts.
Must say, I had a flu shot that I had adverse reactions to 2 weeks ago. I had a raised bruise and pain from it for about 5 days.
It's not always lyme, but with our immune systems compromised, we are at risk as a group for any "normal" healthcare options.
I hope the pics help someone else with the same affliction. And maybe, just maybe, the flu shot caused it all? I'm not sure and neither is my doc.
The good thing is....others w/o lyme would wince at the pain but I'm taking it in stride. We know pain every day..and with this?
It's just another pain and my tolerance is so much better given my history and current lyme circumstances.
Just an FYI...if I can deal with lyme, I can deal with anything. Posts: 867 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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