I pulled a tick out of my shoulder 12 days ago that had been there for at least 4 days.
I live in the woods in an area where lyme disease is on a steady rise in Midcoast Maine.
I went to the Dr. the next day, he said it was no big deal, even though there was a deep bruise. I brought the tick in with me but he didn't even want to see it.
He told me everything was fine and to come in if I show any symptoms in the next couple of weeks.
Well it's been two weeks since I was bitten and :
I've had ringing in my ears (on and off),sore throat, headaches (which I NEVER get), obvious swollen lymph glands, fatigue, and burning sensations off and on around my mouth area.
I felt these were pretty strong symptoms, all he did was test me for strep throat and told me to come back for another strep test.
I made it clear I wanted to error on the side of caution and start a regiment of antibiotics beings I was bitten by a tick that had been attached for several days, but he acted real smug and just said no. I told him I've never had strep in my life, and asked him if he didn't think it was just a coincidence I was showing these symptoms days after being bitten by a tick. He said "there's a first time for everything" meaning the strep.
I researched buying doxycycline without a prescription, and it's doable but it comes from India and takes a minimum of 3 weeks, which is 3 weeks longer than I need it to take.
I am trying to contact a LLMD in my area, but the pickings are slim and I have no idea if I can even get an appointment in the next few days, and even then, if I will be prescribed antibiotics. It seems many of the LLMD's on the list a kind person provided me have either passed away or moved their practices.
I feel that just because I am one of the "unlucky" people who don't get the rash, I have to suffer until I get full-blown lyme and then it's possibly too late.
To make matters worse, I've spent all my available cash (no insurance) for the past two Dr. visits which have been absolutely useless. I made it clear I don't have several hundred more dollars to keep getting tests and return visits, the Dr. couldn't have cared less.
Does anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks for reading
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Apr 2011
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posted
Would I be out of my mind to consider using doxycycline from a pet store ?
I don't have any friends that have had lyme, and finding info. about Dr.'s in my state that are sympathetic to my position regarding lyme appears to be nearly impossible.
A walk-in clinic might be an option, but don't they charge money too?
I'm nearly broke, at the moment.
Thanks for the reply
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Apr 2011
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I don't know about the pet store doxy ..... I don't know what "other" ingredients they have or the regulations/safety on their production.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
If you have not already done so, you could contact all the lyme support groups in your state (see Support Groups on left side of page) and ask them who in your state will give you doxy in this situation.
They should know.
Usually, it is a "lyme friendly" doctor who will be able to see you in a few days and doesn't charge anywhere near what a lyme doc would charge for a first visit.
But, based on your symptoms after a known tick bite, you are also going to have to get yourself a lyme doctor and get treated for lyme disease and its coinfections until you are symptom free. That will likely take a few months.
And, the wait to get in with a lyme doctor can be months.
Ask for good lyme docs also when you contact the support groups.
You are going to have to do whatever you have to do to get funds to pay for this. Otherwise, your health could go down hill rather quickly. That includes the ability of your brain to function.
This is not to scare you but to tell you you need to do whatever you have to do to get proper treatment for lyme. Proper treatment is generally expensive, as are the tests for the lyme coinfections.
This is one mean disease.
Doxycycline will likely not cure you. Rather, you will need other meds to treat the coinfections the bite likely gave you. But, start with the doxy and go from there. I'm just saying that doxy alone will generally not get rid of a case of lyme that has progressed to the symptoms you are describing.
Nearly everyone that gets lyme gets other infections from that same tick bite. These other infections are called "coinfections" and each one requires a different type of medication to get rid of it. So, it is not a simple matter to get rid of "lyme disease" which is generally a number of diseases.
To read more about this, I suggest you read the Dr. Joseph Burrascano lyme treatment guidelines found here:
As you will see on page 14, doxy is only effective in high doses meaning at least 300 mg per day.
Maybe you have friends who can ask their vet if the vet doxy is OK for people to take.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
in the mean time can you get on something like colloidal silver? or other "natural" antibiotics?
that's awful that the doctor wrote you off like that. most of us here have experienced inexperienced or ignorant doctors (to say the least).
I can't think of any natural antibiotic type things off the top of my head, but i bet if you did a search on here or google.
fight this asap, support your immune system, this is an awful thing to have. lucky for you though you are aware of the symptoms from the start so you can get a jump start on this.
NanaDubo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14794
posted
Check your Private Messages under "my profile" at the top of the page.
Posts: 1129 | From Maine | Registered: Feb 2008
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Wow! You're getting lots of help here.
Also, for natural help, try grapefruit seed extract, 10 to 20 drops in water, three times per day. And/or olive leaf extract, lots of it. When you first start these things, start slow to make sure you don't have a reaction. Take for as long as you can until you can get antibiotics.
Also take 3000 mg. of astragulus root. This boosts the immune system to fight the infection in the early stages. Take a higher dose, if you can afford it. (This is an herb in the Buhner protocol). The Buhner protocol is a natural approach to healing lyme and co-infections. There are other herbal protocols as well.
Japanese Knotweed (1st chinese herbs) will help distribute the herbs and antibiotics to hard to reach locations in your body making the herbs and antibiotics more effective. It will also help to modulate the immune system and control inflammation. Lyme Disease loves inflammation.
It is so tough when you don't have insurance.
And, in my opinion, LLMD's don't need to be so greedy. They could help those who are in dire financial straits.
Posts: 1358 | From Midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Thank you so much to everyone who responded to my post !
I read each and every piece of advice and help multiple times and I appreciate each and every one of you taking the time to offer assistance.
Gary- that is so nice of you to offer me your unused Doxy, If I would have seen your post in time I definitely would have taken you up on it.
I found some Doxycycline that's legal to buy and in the United States. I understand it's the exact same doxycyline that is used to treat humans, it's just labeled for use in fish/aquariums. Should arrive via mail tomorrow.
Apparently, special forces and other members of the military know about this "secret" and frequently purchase antibiotics from pet stores.
Sure wish I had known about this option before I let my symptoms progress and went to a doctor for help and he couldn't have been more useless.
In my opinion having these antibiotics on hand will prevent trips to the doctor who only wants to take your money and not help you. Apparently if you take a dose of doxycycline within a day or two of removing a tick, it's highly effective in preventing lyme disease.
For anyone reading this- doxcycline isn't recommended for small children, and if your doxcycline is expired, it has the potential to cause severe kidney damage, so know what you are buying and do some research.
Thanks again to everyone, I'll post an update on how everything turns out.
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Apr 2011
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Tricky Tickey
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26546
posted
Natural antioxidants, of course!
Garlic, as mentioned. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Organic Coconut oil!! Echinachea (herb) Olive leaf extract
Research em and go for it, honey! You have a good chance for recovery since you know so soon after infection. Don't give up, keep fighting.
-------------------- Early Disseminated LD- 2010. Currently doing acupuncture and yoga. Negative Igenex (IND & Pos Bands) ISSUES AFTER: Tendonitis, letter reversal, Low immune system. PREVENTION:SaltC,Iodine,Humaworm, Chiropractic. Posts: 1013 | From In a van down by the river. | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Cats Claw is a natural abx used in many countries and works when you need abx fast.
Go to vitamin shop and pick some capsultes or tea up while you wait. I also had doxy here that my hubby was given for his tick bite two weeks ago. THe doctor gave him so many scripts of it to make sure he does not get lyme again.
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
Wish you could hang that "doctor" out to dry.
Quack
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
According to Buhner in his book Herbal Antibiotics, GSE is used to sterilize hospital equipment and is very broad spectrum. It can also wipe out friendly bacteria much like mainstream abx, he writes and is the only herb which will do this. So you would need probiotics along with it. Can be taken internally. Could tie you over until you get abx if you feel most comfy with going that route.
Very, very bitter, be prepared. May be best to use capsules.
Make sure you are under an LLMD's watch, this is not to substitute for appropriate medical care and is only to tie you over as said. I am not a doctor and can't make any claims...
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Beware of offering rx'es on the net even for free people. Some things should be done on private messaging, but I wouldn't post it on internet anywhere. Talk about getting bitten????
I'd go to the pet store in a heartbeat and ask how much you need for 120 lb dog with lyme bullseye.
What is really frightening to me is TC77 has Maine as their state? Are you kidding me...it's 2011 and poster is in one of "the" Northeastern states and that's the type reaction you get from a medical doctor?
That is mind blowing to me. Hanging him out to dry is letting him off too easy. Tutu, you really are just to kind. TC, I'd like to recommend something more harsh???
Are you game?
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I think you need to get on abx as soon as possible. ask around about another doc. Would i buy meds from a pet store. absolutely.
Posts: 107 | From new jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
I also live in Maine. I also have Lyme Disease. I also have had a difficult time finding a doctor.
I am seeing an NP in Scarborough who told me she had no experience with Lyme but was willing to learn and try to help me. We are taking it step by step.
Most of my help has come from this web site. I suggested things to my NP that I had read here and she studied up on various issues and performed various tests. I did test positive for Lyme Disease and was prescribed doxy. Two weeks on, two weeks off, then 2 weeks on again.
I have been told the I should have been on the doxy longer but she would not prescribe it.
The co-infections that I have tested positive for include a severe Vitamin D deficiency and Fibromyalgia. That is where we stand right now. I see her again in June when we will discuss any issues that remain.
I had lots of problems with my eyes being blurry and it was recommended that I find some mangosteen juice which I did at a local health food store and it has helped my eyes immensely. I drink a shot glass of it every morning.
It was also recommended that I get some coloidal silver to boost my immune system. I did that too for several months.
I am doing much better than I was but I am not cured by no means. I still have multiple issues that come and go.
I wish you the best of luck. You need to try and find a doctor who will listen.
-------------------- cjfrank
IGG Western Blot - negative IGG Bands Detected - p18 IGM Western Blot - positive IGM Bands Detected - p23, p41 Posts: 49 | From Maine | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
Get to another doctor, this guy sounds like a real jerk!
You need to get treated. Believe me, your perspective will change about how much you will be willing to pay if you continue to be ill for much longer. it's well worth the cost now
Posts: 312 | From Utah | Registered: Nov 2010
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