A couple of weeks ago I noticed a rash on the back of my arm. It got bigger over the next couple of days so I put some benadryl cream on it and a band-aid. Within a week it was gone. I assumed just an insect bite and didn't worry about it.
The last several nights I had pain in my legs at pressure points - where joints are in contact with bed - mainly hips and knees. I always have aches and pains, so was more annoyed than concerned.
Then something caused me to think about Lyme disease, so I looked up on web and found this site. So I have a couple of questions.
1) I had the perfect bulls-eye rash. Does this always indicate Lyme disease? 2) Is the pain in my legs a possible symptom of Lyme disease?
Otherwise I don't have any other symptoms that would indicate I have it. I have a high deductible so I will have to pay for doctor and treatment myself. Just trying to collect enough information to make sure I have a productive doctor's appointment.
Thanks
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Yes. It is diagnostic of Lyme, regardless of what
your test results are. DO NOT EXPECT
YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN TO CURE YOU, OR EVEN
DIAGNOSE YOU. (yes,
I shout, because it's that important!) You absolutely absolutely absolutely need
to get to a doctor who's a member of the International Lyme
and Associated Diseases Society. I let my PCP treat me last
spring when I got my tick bite, and now, at the ripe old age
of 18, I'm suffering from a dementia that drives me into
suicidal despair daily. Please, get the right treatment, beat
this now, and save yourself from a lifetime of anguish. There's
a lot of reason to believe that, if you don't beat it within the first
couple of months, you can never get rid of it. So post in seeking
a doctor
up so others can fully brief you on the true nature
of the Lyme epidemic and its suppression by the general medical
establishment
you need to read the newbie links, and then go to
lymecryme.com and read the studies documenting treatment
failure.
Posted by roro (Member # 13383) on :
yes. no doubt about it. even the CDC and the ducks agree on that
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
A bit more science backing up what you're being told here:
Hard to convince most docs of Lyme. A picture in this case is
Worth a thousand words. Don't expect much...
Maybe two weeks worth of doxy at a dose not high enough to do anything.
If you have to pay to see a doctor....might as well pay to see a LLMD.
Go see an expert in this area.....You have the chance to get cured
Instead of being chronic like most of us here.
Keep us posted.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
Yes it is conclusive for Lyme..
A pix is good, however, I had a well known LLMD make the comment that he hadn't seen it himself. I had thought the a pix was worth a 1,000 words. It is wonderful documentation for my personal files...I couldn't wiggle out of it......I have Lyme!!
Healing smiles.....lightfoot Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Moonriver...Are you still there??
Posted by moonriver (Member # 14910) on :
I'm here! Thanks everyone. I made an appointment for 3 pm today with a clinic that has participated in a CDC study of tick bites. Asked to have appointment with doctor that is participating in this study.
Didn't think to take a picture of rash, but it looked exactly like pictures I found on the web. All that's left is a small scar that is barely visible.
I seem to have some tightness in my chest. Tried putting some Vicks on it last night and got some relief, but it still is bothering me. Always get nervous when I get a pain anywhere near my heart. Anyone have chest pain (tightness) within a month of the bite?
I'll post after I see doctor.
Rich
Posted by Visual Afterimage Man (Member # 10435) on :
Yes... EM rash means Lyme.
At the very least, it means you should address it right away... which it sounds like you are in the process of doing. Congrats on that.
Catch this early and you probably won't have as tough a time ridding yourself as many of us have.
1 month is early compared to the many stories on here of folks going 30 to 40 years!!
Small success story for ya: My father had an EM rash last year. Did a Lyme titer (which of course came back negitive). Fortuantly for him, he lives in Rhode Island where the docs are very aware of Lyme being thick in those parts. His doc put him on doxycyclene immediatly.
That was a year ago.. he has had no issues at all. So there is much hope for those who catch it early!
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Moonriver, please let us know how your appointment went.
I am a bit skeptical of the type of doc you have described, but perhaps is legit. It's not usually easy to get in to see a LLMD this quickly.
Just call me another concerned Virginian.
Posted by moonriver (Member # 14910) on :
Just got back from doctor. He gave me a prescription for doxycycline hyclate - 100 mg. Also took blood for a blood test, which he gave me the option to have or not.
I still need to educate myself so I will be around for a while. Hope this knocks it out.
Rich
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
There's no chance whatsoever that'll knock it out. You need
400mg/day taken in conjunction with drugs that target the spore
(nitroimidazole) and intracellular forms of the bacterium
(macrolide).
I took a four week course of doxy @ 200mg/day right after my
bite and it failed to do anything.
[ 11. March 2008, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: adamm ]
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Up for those who might tell you about
the CDC's role in the Lyme crisis (the bacterium as
we know it now came out of one of their bioweapons labs )
and give you studies,
documenting the need
to treat with 400 mg/day of doxy
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Time to find a LLMD!
100 mg of doxy is worthless.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
Dont settle for LESS than 400mg of doxy,,and 500 if your size requires it!!
An LLMD is imperative to YOUR continued health!!!thinks--just don--
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by adamm: There's no chance whatsoever that'll knock it out. You need 400mg/day ...
I took a four week course of doxy @ 200mg/day right after my bite and it failed to do anything.
Listen to Adam!!!! I agree!!!!
Moon....for how many days???
Posted by moonriver (Member # 14910) on :
Darn, I thought I had this under control. Could someone point me to reference material for treatment. Something I can share with my doctor. I have searched the site but didn't find anything that seemed "official" enough to get him to change his treatment. I think he would be willing to, though, if I can get the right documentation to him.
I am also looking for LLMD, but the closest seems to be about 4 hours away.
Thanks again for all the great info.
Rich
Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :
Make an appointment with the one 4 hours away! You
defs need to see him/her! In the meantime, though, go to
Lymecryme.com and print out some of the literature on
the "treatment failure in their own words" page and go
to lymeinfo.net--bring him info on, among other things,
he cell wall deficient and cystic forms of the bacterium.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
)