I just found a tick on my 7-year-old son this morning - definitely a deer tick, didn't seem terribly engorged, but he must have picked it up on the school playground yesterday afternoon, it left about a quarter-inch-sized spot behind, we're guessing it was on him at least 16 hours.
Of course I'm going to call his doctor this morning, but he is just a regular ped, so I wanted to check with you guys to see what kind of treatment I should insist on.
Can't believe that after the past year of dealing with this, now I may have to watch my son go through it. So unfair. Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
So sorry this happened to your son. I wouldn't waste any time and get him to a LLMD a.s.a.p.!
He definitely needs to be on Doxycycline for 2-3 months, not 2-3 weeks! Unfortunately, that's what most regular non Lyme-literate doctors prescribe.
I will pm you with the name of a Lyme-literate pediatrician in CT (sorry, don't know of any in NY).
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
Thank you.
I'm worried that they won't even do 2-3 weeks - it is too early for symptoms, so I'm afraid they will want to "wait and see." When my husband was bitten, they gave him 200mg doxy, single-dose. It did seem to stop it for him, but...only time will tell.
I would love for my son to see a LLMD, but most that I know of have a long waiting list, at least a month if not two or three. I want to get this dealt with today, tomorrow the latest.
We have an appointment to see his doctor this afternoon, I would love to go in there armed with some sort of concrete information about preventative treatment.
I just found those guidelines too. I hope his doctor will heed them. thank you.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good luck with that!! If you have to, go to a walk-in clinic ALSO to get what you need.
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
one more question: there was already a red spot on him around the bite - about a quarter-inch in size. Is this just normal inflammation from the bite, or some early indication of Lyme/co-infections?
I never saw my bite until a week or more later, so I don't know.
Posted by jackie81 (Member # 27031) on :
Let us know how it goes with your GP..
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
well, we got two weeks amox for him, now I have to debate between heading around to other docs/clinics in our area to see if someone else will do the same, or if I will head four hours north next week to see my LLMD who was so kind to offer to fit him in. We'll get him the four weeks one way or the other. Posted by Pushingthru (Member # 28734) on :
I will be praying for you guys!
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
sorry to resurrect this thread, but there's a bit of an update, and I need more advice from you wonderful people...
My son is now on amoxicillin for the tick bite, which is good (I got a total of six weeks if we need it), but woke up today with a fever, sore throat, headache. I'm hoping it's just something going around, but we're at five days post-bite right now, so of course I can't help but wonder about co-infections.
Would he be showing symptoms this soon? Anything specific I should be looking for?
Thank you.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Did you get the extra 4 wks. from your LLMD? Call him and see what he says. Could just be coincidence but???? Sorry I can't be more help.
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
Is there a way to educate the school? Is the nurse informed on what to do? It is only March and this is happening. I read about a school in OHio that sent flyers home so that the families knew about the playground risks.
I hope things work out OK and he gets better!
Posted by Healerdealer (Member # 23032) on :
Could be a Herxheimer reaction. That's the die-off of the bacteria.
My older son and husband got Herxes on the third day of antibiotic treatment after being bitten by a tick. Each herx lasted for about one day. They are both fine now. They never were sick.
Definitely keep the LLMD appt. Most LLMD's have a long waiting list for the first visit.
Your son should be fine. You're seeing an LLMD and you started antibiotics early.
Healer
[ 02-01-2013, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: faithful777 ]
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
no, I haven't actually seen my LLMD yet, and my son doesn't have one (he was only bitten 5 days ago, can't get into see one for months, am hoping that won't be necessary.) I got 2 weeks from his regular doc, and then another 4 weeks from another source.
***
whelp! he just threw up. I guess that's a good sign? I think it is...
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
I live in Monroe (exit 16 off I87) and people are getting bit here so often. It is a true and serious epidemic.
You have to take matters in to your own hands, since no one will for us in these cases. I had a tough time getting meds for my daughter. Go to multiple doctors and go in and ask for Amoxi for yourself.
I say do whatever you can. An alternative is to order the meds online.
It is crazy that the childrens playground is in grass and that many of our playgrounds are surrounded by grass in these areas. The 4th of July fireworks are also held in a grassy park where thousands come to walk and lay down on the grass.
We really need to spread the word. Good luck and PM me if you need any help.
Posted by Healerdealer (Member # 23032) on :
OK slowli - so you're on the right track. Make sure your son takes doxy with food, not milk, but you know that - it's on the label.
I agree with Lymedin but call your LLMD to see how long he should be on doxy. Kids respond quickly when treated early.
Good Luck
Posted by slowli (Member # 36697) on :
thanks. he's only 7, so, too young for doxy, he's on amox instead.
he threw up last night, and I spoke with the school nurse this morning, something is definitely going around, which is a relief. Doesn't exactly bode well for our upcoming vacation, but I'll take it!
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