Hello - I had typical symptoms of a tick borne disease earlier this month (high fever, aches, etc, no rash) about a week after hiking in a tick area. Lab works showed very low platelets, low wbc & rbc, low lymph, increased ast and alt. Based on symptoms and lab results it was assumed I had a tick borne disease (probably anaplasmosis). Problem is, testing for babiosis, lyme, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis were all negative. PCR testing was done. On day 6 I went on doxy for 7 days. I had repeat blood work today and now platelets are now too high.
Questions for anyone 1) Is it normal for platelets to jump from way too low to too high after treatment?
2) Any suggestions on other tests I should have? I'm wanting closure on this, I was very sick and I'm the kind of person who needs to know why.
3) It's been 2.5 weeks since I first became sick. Is it normal to still feel totally exhausted? I have no energy and I find this a bit concerning. Temp is normal.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hmmm... I have not heard of that happening, but anything is possible.
Have you by chance had a COVID vaccine sometime in between?
Which lab did your Lyme and coinfection testing?
Posted by HiFromSharon (Member # 52362) on :
My 2nd covid shot was in March so I don't think there is a connection there. I have no idea what lab did testing. The blood was drawn in the ER, I know they sent it out but I don't know where. The doctor didn't even want to test me, he said I had no symptoms of Lyme/tick borne illness (in other words there was no bull's eye rash), but he finally agreed to.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Feeling ill this long would be "normal" for Lyme disease or coinfections.
I would see about finding an LLMD very soon so you can get a "real" test for Lyme and Co's.
the labs most doctors use for Lyme are very inaccurate.
You need to know what is going on so you can get proper treatment.
Here are some vital links with info on Lyme and its many coinfections:
Testing for Tick Born Infections are notoriously inadequate! Different lab = Different results. If you are tested to early in the course of the disease, patients are often sero-negative. Up to 60% of Lyme patients are mis-diagnosed.
Keep in mind, Lyme and company are clinically diagnosed by a well trained Lyme literate physician based on history and clinical symptoms.
All tick bites should be properly treated with a 28 day course of Doxycycline or Amoxicillin. Co-Infections need to be addressed as well. You will need a LLMD.
P.S. Shame on your E.R. Doc for not wanting to test you!!!!! Ticks are out in full force. Especially in New York.
Posted by HiFromSharon (Member # 52362) on :
I thought the PCR tests were very accurate, especially in the early stages, that's what I'm reading at least. Are they not accurate?
I had PCR testing for babeosis and anaplasmosis and antibody testing for lyme and ehrlichiosis. I'm trying to read the hospital reports, it looks like the first two were done at the hospital and the other two were sent out to Labcorp. I'm going to ask my doctor about having more antibody testing.
The doctor in the ER had a great bedside manner but otherwise was not very good. Funny you should say ticks are out in full force in NY. I actually think I picked it up next door in Connecticut where there are even more ticks. I told him I had been hiking in CT nine days earlier in a very rural and heavily infested area. Other people I was with pulled off a few ticks from their clothing. Doc still insisted it would be highly unlikely for me to have it, especially without a rash. grrrrr.
My own PCP is much better, he is aware of tick born illnesses and suggested that I may have miyamotoi (which I wasn't tested for).
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
The PCR is 100% valid IF it comes back positive .. but if it comes back negative, you have more investigating to do.
Find out which bands showed positive on Lab Corp. I HOPE they listed the bands.
Posted by HiFromSharon (Member # 52362) on :
Hi - I just wanted to give an update on the platelet part of my question in case anyone else ever wonders about this. I asked my doctor and he said it was normal for platelets to go high after doxy treatment, they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. I've since had more bloodwork and they are now down to what is normal for me.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Wow .. That's very interesting. I had never heard of that happening!