in the meantime that night he broke out in red flat spots all over his palms and soles of his feet and a scattering of spots on his arms, legs and torso.

He had a severe headache and neck pain. Poor kid is miserable. He is only 6.

I decided he needed to be seen A.S.A.P. and called my new LLMD, Dr. B in West chester PA.

He took him in yesterday and believes it is rocky mountain spotted fever and started him on 200mg doxy a day. Sent him for a TON of blood work.

My poor son was just doing REALLY well after being treated for bart/lyme. NO symptoms AT ALL since March.

My LLMD spoke to Dr. J and they both agreed on treatment.

now it is a waiting game. We are supposed to leave for vacation on Sunday. We go to the outer banks every year and plan this a year in advance. The kids literally count the days from the day we leave. This stinks.

Its bad enough that my lyme situation has given me a nasty looking rash on my legs and I dont even want to put on a bathing suit.

and even if he is feeling better as the doctor surmised he would by Sunday the fact that he is on Doxy means he cannot go out in the sun.

It seems like our lyme troubles in this house just wont quit. My daughter is still having trouble on and off and it is really getting her down. She never did make it back to school this year.

I'm so sorry your little one is having problems.

Try to look at it this way -- better one ruined vacation than ruined lifetimes. Get the treatment you need to stop these tick borne infections in their tracks.

Maybe we should all move to the cities.

And yes first and foremost in my mind is my son's health above all. He is imroving.

As far as protecting ourselves...I use spray on everyones clothing and shoes, I have chickens roaming the yard and do tick checks constantly. I dont let them roll in the grass or walk in the woods. I dont know what else to do besides living in a plastic bubble. It is very depressing.

I totally understand how devastated you are about the possible loss of a vacation. It is all you can focus on to get you thru and then BAM...more crap. Man...I hate that!

Hmmmmm...If you can make it out there, I have some simple suggestions for your son with his doxy sun stuff.

First-make sure you have either a huge beach umbrella or even one of those tent like canopies. THey have saved my skin while surfing in CA.

Second-buy him a long sleeve rash guard. Do you know what that is? Originally used by surfers, it is a thin shirt meant to be worn in the water. HE will look "cool" in it too. Buy a darker one, they have more sun protection.

THird-buy girls cotton gloves like they wear around easter time for dressing up. Cut off the fingers and viola you have solved the tops of hands sun burn problem. Even on the beach and in the water--I wear them always surfing. Make sure they are pretty tight on him.

Fourth-inc oxide for the cheeks and lips.

Fifth-big ol hat with wide brim for him.

sixth-lots of film to capture these precious moments of how you and your family were able to pull through serious hard life crisis and illnesses and make it to the beach this year.

If you cant do it, then maybe you can plan for something else close to it later this summer, to help stay hopeful?

We also have a cabanna that he can go under.

we will do the best we can. He will hate wearing the clothes. It is hard to tell an opinionated 6yo to wear something hot and uncomfortable.

Bless your heart! I am so sorry.

My nephew was going to the beach and his parents stopped at an Atlanta ER who diagnosed him with RMSF. He went on to the beach--but I think his feet got burned.

So cover up his toes--they can be so opinionated at 6--but just keep explaining to him what to expect--I think it helps when they know what to expext and you make it clear.

I found a tick on mine yesterday--between the buns! I'm sending it off to IGX--not testing for LD--just the others. I completely understand how you feel. I don't want to live in the city. I'm putting seven out tonight if I have the energy and the daycare is putting it out on Friday after the kids leave.

quote:

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Originally posted by treepatrol:
Check him for scarlet fever too.

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Ditto!

His spots are not peeling tho they are just fading. That has me curious. They actually look like small bullseyes as they fade because they have a darker ring with a lighter ring center.

If his RMSF test is negative, this very well may be the culprit. Ask you doctor. It's often overlooked as it is so common. It can be a forgotten possibility as often times the symptoms aren't as pronounced. When they are, they are wicked.

quote:

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Originally posted by pattiecake:
I looked it up and he does not fit the description.
pc

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Good! Hope that's the case. I don't know much about it. Ask Lymebrat.

Another distinguishing feature between the two rashes is that RMSF is a petichial rash, meaning that it originates in the blood vessels. When you push on a spot does it disappear for a short time after you release? If so, it could be the petichial rash of RMSF. In coxsackie, blanching the spots, or pushing on them to see if they disappear for second or two, usually has less of an effect on the spots. Fun facts to know and tell!

His blood work did not indicate anemia. Treatment is usually 5 days longer after the fever breaks. So we will see how long it persists.

I am so sorry you and your family are going through this.

Please be careful while at the Outer Banks...I know you will be. There are many that believe they got infected while vacationing there.

Take care and I hope you all have some fun despite all of this...

I've been a lymie for years...Now both of my kids are diagnosed....18 and 16.....My ex thinks we are all nuts and making it up...silly man...

Enjoy the heck out of the outer banks....I've spent many a relaxing evening with the tide out on the beach there...It can be a piece of heaven...(We used to live in Newport News, VA, and would spend what time we could around Kitty Hawk)...

Again...You are a great mom!