My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed this morning with Lyme Disease. She was bitten about 11 days ago. The doctor put her on immoxicillin for 3 weeks, and did not ask for us to schedule a follow up visit. I'm wondering if we don't see any symptoms after the antibiotics are finished will that be the end of it, or is there potential for her to experience any further problems related to this later on in life? The only symptom she has now is the bullseye bite mark.
Posted by chamade (Member # 11472) on :
Hi, knowing what I know now, I would move heaven and earth to find someone who will give her at least 6 weeks of antibiotics (as per dr. burrascano's guidelines).
BTW, I probably got bitten in Savannah since I spent 5 years at SCAD there. Now I have neurological problems.
Posted by eweaver (Member # 12777) on :
Thanks for the input. I will check into Dr. Burrascano's info. Actually, she was bitten when we were on a vacation in North Georgia on Lookout Mountain. But you're right, this part of the country has more bugs that anywhere I've ever lived!
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
welcome mom to the board! boy did you come to the right place for answers!
please EDIT MY PROFILE and allow PRIVATE MESSAGES be sent to you ok! you can block posters that might harass you, etc.
and while you are in there, you want the LONG amount of time towards bottom for searches vs. their default! you'll use that alot also!
when you get that done, please send me a private message, pm, it's the icon with 2 people standing together by envelope, and ask me to send you my newbie package of 60 pages: links, advise, symptoms, tests, disability, much more including TREEPATROL'S archive of newbie link for over 1000+ sites of good info.
YES, you must get your daughter continue getting antibiotics for 3 months at least! we say 2 months with NO MORE SYMPTOMS APPEARING before she goes off them or she will end up like us CHRONIC LYME patients!
also take a photo of her bulls-eye using coins or $1 bill to show the size...date it, etc.
in what i will be sending you is Dr. Burrascano's 05 lyme treatment guidelines and also ILADS treatment guidelines .... THE GOOD LYME LITERATE MDS!, LLMDS! Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :
Hi eweaver, Welcome to LymeNet. So sorry your daughter has Lyme disease, but so glad you found LymeNet!!
Keep in mind that most of us do not have a medical background, but have learned a lot through experience with Lyme and other Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs).
Unfortunately, there is a serious difference of opinion in the medical field about how to diagnose and treat Lyme. Drs who treat Lyme disease almost exclusively, recommend stronger treatment than that prescribed for your daughter.
Print "Diag Hints & Treatment Guidelines..." at www.ilads.org/burrascano_0905.html It's 33 pages of excellent info - almost like a Readers' Digest version of a medical textbook on Lyme. Written by one of the best Lyme Literate Med Drs (LLMDs) for Drs to use and patients to learn.
page 17: Antibiotic Choices and Doses Amoxicillin - Children: 50 mg/kg/day divided into q8h doses. 1 kg = 2.2046 lbs, so this works out to be: 35 lb child - 800 mg per day (in divided doses) 70 lb child - 1600 mg per day (divided doses)
This is higher than the usual dose given children, but LLMDs have learned from years of experience that it is necessary. Otherwise, the stronger bacteria that are not killed will hide out and the disease will flare up at some time in the future - maybe weeks, maybe years later. At that time, it will be much more complex and difficult to treat.
page 19: Treatment Categories Early Localized - single erythema migrans (bull's eye rash) with no other symptoms. Children: oral therapy for 6+ weeks.
NOTE - Tick Bites with NO signs or symptoms: Children: Oral therapy for 28 days.
Do you think your child's dr would consider consulting by phone with the best Lyme Pediatrician in the country?
I can pm you with contact info if you're interested. My 15 yr old grandson is one of his patients. This man is wonderful!!
The earlier the treatment of Lyme, the better the prognosis - but ONLY if treatment is adequate (both dose and length of time).
It is so important that you follow-up on this now. You only get one chance to treat early. If it is missed, the opportunity won't come around again.
Read, Read, Read: Under Med Ques, look for Links for Newbies. Ask as many questions as you need to. We'll help you any way that we can.
Again, welcome to LymeNet.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
Welcome aboard,,,
I cant improve on what anybody has said,,,but I sure can second them all,,,specially the last one from cbb,,,real down to earth and realistic info,,,all of it!!
IF you can get to Dr J that would be the most wonderful gift you could ever give your daughter, besides being born!! Second chances DONT happen!! Distance means NOTHING,,just GO!!!says --just don--
Posted by Skyler (Member # 11549) on :
I am glad you caught it so soon!
I hope her treatment goes well and she stays a healthy child!
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Congratulations on catching this so soon!
Please get her more than 3 weeks of antibiotics, as others have advised you per Dr. B's guidelines. Either find an llmd, or have your doc phone consult with one. Dr. J is the best.
With proper treatment now, hopefully she will not experience problems later in life. The proper treatment needed is sufficient antibiotics now, not stopping them too early.
Also, with amoxy, be sure to give her probiotics every day to replenish her gut flora & fauna.
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