I had a tick bite, which appeared as the bull's eye mark of a Lyme Tick last May. It was just above my left elbow. My HMO doctor did not identify it as a tick bite, but I have a picture of my arm, and it is certainly that. I took a short round of antibiotics. Later I had a terrible rash on my left arm, which went away gradually. In June my breasts were clear of tumors. By September I had developed two large tumors in my left breast. These were biopsied and determined to be non-cancerous, but a mastectomy was still recommended. I declined. Now I have an enlarged lymphoid under my left arm, which will be biopsied tomorrow. My new doctor says the whole thing looks like cancer--even with no cancer cells in my breast (at this time). I have read that Bartonella can cause breast tumors that are confused with cancer. These tumors grew very fast. My arm still is still sore where the bite happened. I am thinking that I may need to see someone who specializes in Lyme Disease. Have any of you ever heard of a relationship between Lyme and breast tumors.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Breaking up the above post so all can read it:
I had a tick bite, which appeared as the bull's eye mark of a Lyme Tick last May. It was just above my left elbow.
My HMO doctor did not identify it as a tick bite, but I have a picture of my arm, and it is certainly that.
I took a short round of antibiotics. Later I had a terrible rash on my left arm, which went away gradually. In June my breasts were clear of tumors.
By September I had developed two large tumors in my left breast. These were biopsied and determined to be non-cancerous, but a mastectomy was still recommended.
I declined. Now I have an enlarged lymphoid under my left arm, which will be biopsied tomorrow. My new doctor says the whole thing looks like cancer--even with no cancer cells in my breast (at this time).
I have read that Bartonella can cause breast tumors that are confused with cancer. These tumors grew very fast. My arm still is still sore where the bite happened.
I am thinking that I may need to see someone who specializes in Lyme Disease. Have any of you ever heard of a relationship between Lyme and breast tumors.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Greetings Karen! Welcome to LymeNet!
Sorry you are having such a rough time. And yes, it is time to see someone who knows more than the HMO doc.
Bartonella can cause tumors, lumps and bumps all over. If your current doctor is willing to help you, I'd start there by having tests run especially since the new doc said it looks like a cancer presentation. That is quite common for Bartonella.
Keep in mind the tests could be negative due to the fact you were on antibiotics not that long ago, or for other reasons too.
If you still need help and desire a new doctor or second opinion, you can go to www.MarylandLyme.org and see "Doctor Referrals" on the menu to your left.
It will take you to a site that lists many of the Lyme treating health care professionals- for all states that have them.
Here is some info on Bartonella that may be useful.
At that link you will see a Rashes link too. Might be helpful for you to see the Bartonella manifestations also.
Good luck and keep up the good work checking into your health situation. You are your own best advocate.
Posted by KAREN412 (Member # 50209) on :
Thank you! I just had a private lab do CD57 test, and my score was 33. This is after a regular Lyme test by my doctor, which was negative. I had a PET scan today for the "breast cancer." My lymph under my left arm, close to the bite area last year is swollen. However, the swelling come and goes, depending on what supplements I am taking. I have tried explaining this--but the doctor just thinks I am in denial about bc. I am not. I can face it--I just think the symptoms are being misconstrued.
Posted by dal123 (Member # 6313) on :
WooHoo CD57 is highly indicative of tick borne diseases. Get this treated FIRST by a LLMD. Sounds like your lymph nodes are infected with tick bacteria you were bitten above the elbow, where do you think that tick bacteria will travel to? Of course the axial lymph nodes and under the arms and surround ing the breasts, take lots of lymph drainage supplements and homeopathics.
Posted by dal123 (Member # 6313) on :
Go see a LLMD who does Lyme testing through IGENEX labs, your case does show Lyme but you are going to ignorant Drs who are not testing you through IGENEX.