Sorry for posting this improperly, will retry this the right way!
I am so glad to have found this website and thread!! I live near Peoria also. [Hope I don't skip around too much but like everyone here, there's a lot of info to tell.] I developed 2 bullseye-looking rashes in the beginning of August this year. The one on the back of my thigh started out as a pimple(so I thought) but I have never had a pimple hurt, burn or itch like that.
Also found a smaller bullseye on my breast. They were not spider bites, I am sure of that. Also, another pimple-looking sore started on my back but did not develop into a bullseye. The rashes did not respond to any steroid creams or any antifungals.
The one on my thigh is still there, but scaled over(it is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter). I have had such tremendous fatigue it is ridiculous, pain in my neck, shoulder joints & knuckles, and a horrible itchy rash all over my body. The bullseye on my thigh and the sore on my back look the same now...faded and sort of scaly but they still itch and bleed if I itch them. The one on my breast has left a faint scar.
Now I have to contend with the daily all-over rashes, hoping they do not get infected. I am monitoring everything I eat. I wash with Vanicreme soap and unfragranced shampoo. I have halted all perfumes(which is very difficult for me, lol). I wash everything in my home with fragrance and dye-free detergent.
I do not think what I have is simply an allergic reaction. I also want to mention that I went to the ER with 2 kidney stones in mid-July with a severe UTI and blood in the urine. Since then, I have had non-stop UTIs. As soon as I am off antibiotics the UTI returns. I still have a rash even when not on antibiotics.
My mother thinks I have Lyme. One of my best friends had a daughter with lyme (they are not from IL though) and they all have been trying to get me to get tested for Lyme for a couple months now.
Also, my father has a friend in Kentucky who was diagnosed & treated for Lyme this year, just wanted to throw that in.
My doctor is stumped and I think now he is just fed up. I went in yesterday and inquired about Lyme and he said there were no deer ticks in Illinois! He stated that deer ticks cannot survive in this state or any state below IL because they like the colder northern states & Canada.(!!??)
He also said that a bulleye rash has nothing to do with Lyme!! I about fell over with shock. I am very new to this but even I know what he said is completely false(I have been doing my homework). How could an MD be so incredibly uninformed?!
My GP doc has set me up to see a dermatologist but the appointment is 3 weeks away. I do want to see the derm. and try to figure this out but I would also like to play it safe and be tested for Lyme(my mom & friends finally made me listen!).
My urologist is stumped at the frequency of my UTIs also(the hubby doesn't have a uti). I think all my symptoms are related, I don't know why but I do. I do not know everything(gosh I wish I did!), I can only express what my gut tells me. I would like some hard evidence and answers.
Feeling and looking like this is beyond frustrating and I just want to get better and be back to my normal self! I would love to hear from anyone and all responses are welcome. The information I have found here is invaluable. I have found so much pertinent info on Lyme and other things as well.
The people here know more than my doctor, that's for sure! Thank you for letting me vent Posted by Siciliano (Member # 15920) on :
Hi, Beth, welcome to our site.
I have sent you a private message. Click on the flashing envelope.
We're happy to have you.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
welcome beth
check your profile above for my pm to you on ill/s. wisc. llmds.
my welcome letter is in my link below.
IF YOU ARE UNDER 21, please show that in subject line; we send you to different drs. most of the time .... age rrestrictions.
thx for breaking up your text into smaller paragraphs ... hugs
if you still have BULLS-EYE RASHES LEFT, take photos of them using coins or $1 to show the size with today's dated newspaper clearly visible in photos for EVERY RASH you have.
bulls-eye rash means YOU DO HAVE LYME, but did the tick have other diseases it was carrying too!
read over the lyme symptoms list in my welcome letter good for co-infections ticks carry sometime.
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I about fell over with shock. I am very new to this but even I know what he said is completely false(I have been doing my homework). How could an MD be so incredibly uninformed?! ![[cussing]](graemlins/cussing.gif)
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Beth, welcome to our site.