posted
This past July, I was bitten by a black legged deer tick and 2 Lone Star ticks. Got real sick. Doctor diagnosed Lyme's disease. Took Doxy for 30 days. Just beginning to feel human again. This past Sunday, I pulled a scab off only to find it was not a scab but a tiny tick. Took it to entomology department, it was a nymph Lone Star, head still embedded in my body. Do I have any antibodies to previous infection, will antibiotics work again if I am infected with STARI? I have had Lymes'3 times before and now I wonder if I ever truly recovered each subsequent time. I am getting very paranoid. Is that a tick!!?? Will the enmbedded head hurt me if it does not come out?
Posts: 5 | From montgomery, alabama | Registered: Nov 2005
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Welcome to LymeNet. If it makes you feel any better, many of us are paranoid about ticks now.
You may be correct about not recovering each time you were diagnosed & treated for Lyme. ....or you could have co-infections that require different meds. ....or you could have been re-infected each time. Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) are very complex illnesses.
You do not build up antibodies to protect you from future cases of Lyme disease, so you'll need treatment each time you're infected.
Yes, antibiotics will work with each case. The difficult part is knowing which abx, or combination of abx, will work best in that situation & how long to treat.
Co-Infections (like Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, & Bartonella) have to be considered, too. Lists of co-infection symptoms overlap with symptoms for LD, so it's difficult to know which disease needs to be targeted. Generally, each requires different meds.
A little more info would help people give you opinions & suggestions.
What years were you diagnosed with LD?
Did you take Doxy each time?
What dose of Doxy did you take per day?
How were you diagnosed with Lyme each of the 3 times? bull's eye rash? Lyme testing? clinical diagnosis based on tick bite & symptoms?
You said you took Doxy for 30 days. I'm no dr, but in my opinion, your problems could be the result of abx not being strong enough per day, and abx not taken long enough. Lyme Literate Med Drs (LLMDs) recommend treating until all symptoms have been gone for 4-8 weeks.
Since you've been diagnosed 3 times, I'd recommend you be evaluated by a LLMD. Your dr may be willing to work with the LLMD in treating you.
On the left of this page, click "Support Groups" & contact the Alabama Groups. The contact person should be able to advise you about Lyme Drs.
Go to "Seeking a Dr" here on Lymenet. Put your location in the title & info should be sent to you privately. We don't give drs' names & contact info here on LymeNet. See if your dr is recommended. If not, then you should consider an appt with a LLMD.
My copy is 33 pages. pages 17 - 19: "Antibiotic Choices" & "Treatment Categories" give his recommendations for treatment. pages 22 - 25: "Co-Infections"
Also, important to read: www.ilads.org On the left, click "Basic Info"
Ask as many questions as you need to. Usually someone here has the answer.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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skittergitchy, Concerned that we haven't heard from you. Hope you're OK & you'll check in with an update.
Posts: 4638 | From South Carolina | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by cbb: You do not build up antibodies to protect you from future cases of Lyme disease, so you'll need treatment each time you're infected.
Yes, antibiotics will work with each case.
Where's skitter??
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
The safest thing to do is take abx again, before you have symptoms, as a preventive.
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