I found a large bull's eye rash on my body years ago, after a week of swimming in a pond/ fishing. The rash was really large...nearly 12 inches in diameter for the outer circle, and with a hard, red swollen center. The entire rash was hot, but not painful, so I never sought treatment for it. Does this mean I have/had Lyme's Disease, or could I not have it? Thank you.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Bite + rash does not ALWAYS equal infection (there are some strains of lyme that give the rash only, no illness, per "Cure Unknown" by Pam Weintraub), BUT IF you have symptoms after the bite + rash, then you definitely have lyme.
The symptoms are extremely diverse (nobody has them all) and you just keep adding symptoms as time goes on. In other words, the lyme will keep progressing, attacking more bodily organs and systems, if left untreated or if undertreated. It will not go away on its own or by you taking short courses of antibiotics for other illnesses!
I had undiagnosed lyme disease (plus babesiosis and bartonella) for at least 10 years before a doctor thought to test me for lyme. Once I got excellent lyme treatment, I got rid of this horrendous disease. That was 8 years ago. I am still praising God for that!
I strongly suggest you read and STUDY the Burrascano lyme treatment guidelines to get an education on this disease. They are here:
If you have symptoms, then find an LLMD right away.
Posted by ThatDarnTick (Member # 39987) on :
Thank you...I have more than half of the symptoms on the list and kept trying to google what was wrong with me (since my doctor and specialists have all just determined the only thing wrong with me is I must not be getting deep sleep at night). Lyme's Disease kept popping up, and then it dawned on me...I had that bite, years ago. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- YES. As other reply,
Bite + Classic Rash + Classic Symtoms (and pattern of emerging long after bite had faded) sure seems to lead to LYME (there is no "s").
See listener comments, too. They show us how very wrong the ID doctor is who was interviewed. Very typical, though, and why ID doctors are not the ones who help those with lyme.
Making the most of your LLMD visit -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- By chance, do you have a photo taken at the time of that rash that shows both the rash and your face?
- or at least in the same clothing or other distinguishing feature in all photos to prove it is you, not just any photo? -
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
There are some good LLMDs in your area ... and in the greater DC area. Don't waste more time/money dealing with so-called "specialists" -the med research/insurance community is keeping many competent physicians deliberately ignorant about Lyme.
I would go to "Seeking a Doctor" on these boards and ask for a recommendation for someone in your area. Good luck!
Posted by ThatDarnTick (Member # 39987) on :
Thank you all for the information. I'm just starting to read it all.
I didn't take a picture of the rash at the time...I know-- stupid. My mother saw it though, and she's a nurse. Unfortunately, she didn't recognize what it was either.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I thought the rash was conclusive of lyme disease.
I had the same thing happen to me. I described classic lyme, which I did not know about, to every doctor I saw and they all told me I could not possibly have lyme because it does not exist in this state.
Finally I saw picture of the rash and realized it was what I had. Then someone directed me to a newspaper article published in 2004 that was an interview with the state epidemiologist saying there is lyme disease here.
The next mistake you can avoid is believing you only have ONE infection from that bite. I have had 5 confirmed so far.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
No, you're not stupid. The medical profession is (clueless). I'm no doc, but yes, you have it, IMO. So does practically everyone here, so you're not alone. Nefferdun is right. Most people have co infections too.
Find a good LLMD and get on their cancellation list so you can be seen soon. You can go to www.lymediseaseassociation.org and they will email you some names. Be sure to get an ILADS specialist (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society). They are cutting edge when it comes to lyme and co infections. Everyone else, and I mean EVERYONE who is not ILADS certified is useless.
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