posted
Hi,I was bit by a tic (I pulled it out myself) and got a round red rash around the bite.I went to the doctor and he gave me Doxycyline for 28 days.The rash went away in 10 days and I am still taking the drug with 2 days left.I got bite again about a week ago (I pulled the tic out)and now have the same looking rash around the bite.What do you guys think I should do?The rash is not going away this time.Thanks.
-------------------- nn Posts: 103 | From Northen Neck Va | Registered: Jun 2012
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
Go get more doxycycline. Be sure it's 200 mg twice daily. Most docs give half that.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Your right,I only take 200 mg a day.I go back friday,how many days should I ask for,he does not have much experience with lyme.
-------------------- nn Posts: 103 | From Northen Neck Va | Registered: Jun 2012
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desertwind
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25256
posted
Co-infections need to be considered as well.
Doxy will cover some but not all co-infections so keep an eye out for that as well.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- That bulls eye rash is proof positive of lyme, again. Maybe, this is good news for you, in a way so that your treatment can get on track.
Do not wait until Friday. TODAY you should been seen. And TODAY, you need better treatment.
This early, good treatment can matter to the way the rest of your life could play out.
While most regular doctors will not prescribe higher doses or for longer - your doctor needs to see that new rash for it seems proof that the treatment you've been on is not working.
They need to SEE that, on you, not just hear about it days later. The rash cold fade by then and they are not likely to believe you.
If they SEE that, they MIGHT prescribe higher dose (but they may just also dismiss you).
With a new bite - and another bulls eye rash WHILE on doxycycline, its sure seems that doxy has not been effective against lyme. With a new exposure, that should have had some protection.
That is the dose of doxycycline is just half of the minimum.
And, you should also have FLAGYL to address the cyst form. Doxy treats only the spirochete form and will cause lyme to go into cyst form, to come out later on.
Be sure to read Burrascano's treatment guidelines in the link below ASAP for a better context.
You also need an Rx that will address the cyst form of lyme -- and to be assessed for OTHER tick borne infections that are not covered by doxycylcine.
TAKE PHOTOS of that rash.
Get a LLMD as soon as possible, if at all possible. Here's why:
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation.
===================
Best of luck to you. Take care. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Prevention is key.
If female...use Lily of the Valley cologne to repel the ticks.
If male...consider good old Pine tree oil soap (wash) before going outside.
Spray your lawn and beds - flower beds.
Personally, I'd consider applying a good old activated charcoal poultice to the rash area (to remove "toxins").
Wet a 4x4 gauze pad and carefully (over a sink!) open a capsule of activated charcoal and sprinkle it on the wet 4x4. Apply it to the rash area and cover it with plastic wrap ("Cling" type of food wrap). This is to keep it wet.
Leave it on for several hours.
When you remove it, the skin will be dark and unless you can't "live" with the darkness (which will go away in time), wash it with an Oxyclean solution.
I did the above after a different insect bite (I am very allergic to bees/wasps) and it worked like a charm. NO REACTION. However, I also took one Benadryl...just in case.
Some poultice use ground flaxseed in addition to the activated charcoal. I used just the activated charcoal (a VERY FINE powder).
-------------------- Son, 26, Dx Lyme 4/10, Babs 8/10 Had serious arthritis, all gone. Currently on Valtrex Daughter, 26,bullseye 7/11 arthritis in knees, cured and off all meds. . Self:Lyme, bart, sxs gone, no longer treating. Posts: 496 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jul 2010
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
You are lucky that you got the rash, only about 50% of people with Lyme do. The rash is only one symptom, Lyme is a multi-system infection.
Be sure to get photos of your rash, it is important documentation. Place something near it, like a coin or ruler, to give it size definition.
In the future, you may want to save the tick for testing in case you do not get the rash.
I highly recommend getting to a knowledgeable doctor especially since you have been undertreated. It is very important to get proper treatment as early in the infection as possible. This cannot be stressed enough. Early infections are the easiest to cure.
You may know this already, but there are important tips regarding taking Doxy. Do not have any dairy, iron, or magnesium within two hours of taking it or it will not be absorbed properly. If it makes you nauseous, eat something substantial and non-dairy before taking it.
Avoid the sun. You can get a severe burn in minutes even when wearing sunscreen. Do not lay down for at least an hour after taking it, or you can ulcerate your esophagus. Drink a full glass of water when you take it for the same reason.
I agree that you also need to consider co-infections and doing things to prevent getting bitten.
Posts: 4682 | Registered: Oct 2000
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Go to a walk-in clinic if you have to!!! Don't allow yourself to go chronic!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
quote:Originally posted by nnecker: Your right,I only take 200 mg a day.I go back friday,how many days should I ask for,he does not have much experience with lyme.
posted
my llmd says to inject colllidial silver into the bite, kills everything DEAD
-------------------- +++++++ do i have lyme, please comment, derealisation,anxiety,floaters,hypertension,tinnitus,dizziness,minor aches,igenix results,igm,**83-93ind,igg**41++ what do u think,please comment Posts: 195 | From california | Registered: May 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Just treating the bite site, though, will not address the systemic need. The instant an infected tick bites, systemic treatment is required, too.
If you inject it and then see a regular doctor, they could accuse you of creating this yourself. So be aware of that.
Colloidal silver certain can have some marvelous effects, though it can be taken orally and put topically onto the bite site if you plan to soon have an MD look at the site, then it's won't have a puncture mark.
I'm not sure about how to safely inject it into the bite site - you'd sure want good instruction about that.
In addition to colloidal silver, as adjunct care you might consider:
ALLICIN capsules. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
Took you guys advice and went to the clinic.Just got back.I told the doctor every thing I told you and he said 200 mg of doxy was the correct dose and he would not change it no matter how much I tried to change his mind.He said the higher dosage was for a more advanced stage of lyme.I see my doctor on friday does anyone have any articles on higher dosage and better cure rates of Doxycycline that I can show him.Thanks for all your responses.
-------------------- nn Posts: 103 | From Northen Neck Va | Registered: Jun 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- So sorry you got that response. I'm sure it must be very confusing to you. Details below explain the split. Articles there, too, about dosage, etc.
Basically, though, your regular doctor is not likely to be very assertive, either.
Do ask for FLAGYL, too, though. It's really important.
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I went to look at the prescription I was given in Oct 19, 2011 and guess what. 100 mg twice a day. NOT 200mg. I didn't have a chance in H--L. Now did I?
Thanks for this thread. I wonder how many others were given incorrect prescriptions?
-------------------- If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed. David Visott ~ Posts: 56 | From VT | Registered: Jun 2012
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
They give that dosage because that is what the IDSA recommends. Docs that specialize in Lyme have learned from experience that you need more.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
I agree with Lymetoo - Take PICTURES!
Also, you might want to talk to your doc about adding this:
May 2011 study (Tinidazole more effective than Doxycycline)
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