posted
I found a small tick attached to my thigh about 6 weeks ago. It left a small red spot for more than a week but didn't get bigger over time.
I found a second tick the same time in the bath but not attached to me not sure if it had been attached to me or not.
I'm an endurance athlete and train normally 15+ hours a week much of the time outside in MA. I raced a long race 2 weeks ago and just haven't recovered like I normally do. I've done this type of racing in the past and my recovery after this race has been different. Last few days I noticed my knees are swollen as I can feel it as I can't bend my knees the normal amount. With the training I do this is not normal for me.
Other odd thing I have noticed that had gotten significantly worse over last 6 months is I get words mixed up that I think one thing and say or if on line type a totally different word that makes no sense.
My family & I spend time each summer living in a cabin in No MN in the woods where Lymes is rampant and I know many folks in same area who have been infected. Seems one of my parent's dogs get it almost every year. I have been tested before and was told it was negative.
After poking around I wonder if this recent tick bite might be something new or something that triggered some exposure from before.
I'm going for testing as hospital tomorrow and suspect my PCP just ordered the simple test. Should I skip it and go see a specialist? Or am I over reacting?
Any thoughts about continue to train as it is my passion and brings me joy while I figure this out?
Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010
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julielynne4
Unregistered
posted
You are definately not overreacting. It isn't necessarily a total waste of time to get your blood tested, although you have to know 2 things: one, if the results are negative,this is MEANINGLESS, and two, if the results are positive, this does NOTHING for you unless you seek the proper diagnosis and treatment of a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD).
You can go to the "seeking a doctor" section and post there, and people will send you private messages with contact info. of LLMDs.
Lyme Disease is misdiagnosed all the time, and as you spend time reading others' experiences, you will find that it is no simple process as far as getting treatment. However, you can avoid weeks/months/and years of suffering and floating from specialist to specialist with no hope in sight by getting to an LLMD as soon as you can.
Stick around, read what is here, use the search bar here to read through previous messages and topics. It is hard to say if this is a recent tick bite or triggered by something else, but either way an LLMD is the way to go.
posted
There is no such thing as OVER reacting if you think you could have Lyme disease.
Posts: 448 | From minnesota | Registered: Feb 2010
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Feel free to join us also on www.lymefriends.org , it is a social networking site and a great adjunct to lymenet.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Ditto for everything that was said above. I used to run half/full marathons and my first symptom of lyme was swollen/sore knees that I attributed to 'wear & tear' even though I am a slow runner (12-11 min miles). AND like you said, after races I just couldn't recover like I had use to.
Looking back, I wish I had gotten help by a LLMD sooner, so PLEASE don't waste time seeing a non LLMD. Reading your post, sounded like beginning lyme symptoms. Like you, I had 'random' symptoms for a couple of yrs, then I finally crashed after getting a bad sunburn during a marathon.
You might want to focus on supporting your immune system and not pushing yourself too hard during training workouts.
Posts: 379 | From Sydney, Australia | Registered: Nov 2008
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
It is very common to be neg. in the first 3 months
for Lyme. If any bands are seen on WB they should
not be dismissed for any reason.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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In trying to digest much of what I read and find it a bit overwhelming. I spoke with my father who is a retired Doctor about Lyme in MN he said they treat everyone there with antibiotics in a case like mine w/o even testing. He and my mom were treated 2 summers ago.
I'm going to see my PCP and try to get him to prescribe antibiotics for me. In doing reading there are many options. Is there a more standard choice? Seems higher dose and longer treatment is better in first treatment.
I found this in the Dr. B's guidelines
Doxycycline- Adults: 200 mg bid with food; doses of up to 600 mg daily are often needed, as doxycycline is only effective at high blood levels.
Any suggestions what antibiotic I should ask my PCP for? Dose and days on it?
After I take it how do I know that it worked?
Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010
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