I haven't been on in awhile but Dr. D. just reduced my Ceftin dose to 1 pill a day now. Last time we tried that we a couple of months ago and I started to get pain back again. I just reduced my dosage on 12/27/05 and so far, so good. I feel pretty good, however, last week I developed a very itchy rash that looks very much like poison on my left breast. It feels like it symetrical and trying to start on my right breast also. I saw a Dermatologist for something else and had him look at the rash. He didn't even know what it was other than to tell me it looks like something came in contact with my breast. So who knows...I didn't think you could get poison this time of year. I didn't change anything like detergent or soap or anything. I have been taking a host of herbs for about 2 months now to get me back on track physically. I ran out of pills though and did without for about 5 days and then when back on them when I received them in the mail again. Here is what I am taking:
I wonder if going off of them brought on the rash or reducing my Ceftin dosage. I don't know? Anyone get anything similar to this?
Posts: 204 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Hi, Have you seen the rash page at the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation?
I too had an itchy rash that was similar to poison ivy for several months. Turned out to be a bartonella rash. I took numerous for the bart, and rifampin seems to be the only one that has helped. Might want to consider co-infections, if you haven't already.
Posts: 366 | From Louisville KY. | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
I have had a symetrical poison ivy like rash for 2.5 years now. I have thought it might be bartonella and have not written that off yet. I also went to MANY derms who just wanted to put me on steroids.
I also have a positive strep skin infection that I am in my 2nd month of treating. So we shall see. If this does not resolve it I will want to try rifampin next.
pattiecake
Posts: 687 | From PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Look for internal reasons for the rash, for sure. Also, look for external reasons as well. For example, hair rinses left on the body may cause ichie rashs. Wash body after hair!
Posts: 219 | From Aubur,Al. USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting. Take with food or milk to minimize these effects. If they continue or become severe, inform your doctor promptly.
Inform your doctor promptly if any of these effects occur: headache, dizziness, fatigue, muscle aches, strange taste in the mouth, persistent fever, easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat.
Though occurring rarely, seek immediate medical attention if you experience: seizures, jerky movements, severe drowsiness, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, change in the amount of urine.
In the unlikely event you have a serious allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Posts: 120 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I have already been tested for co-infections and came up negative on all. I have been taking the Ceftin for 10 months now so I don't understand if it would be the Ceftin why would I just get allergic to it now. I seem to think it might either be the herbs. I really hope it goes away. The Dermatologist has me using Triamcilone steroidal cream BID and in between those times I have been putting Caladryl lotion on it. It seems only slightly better. If it doesn't go away in a couple of days I think I am going to be frantic. I hope its nothing serious. Wow...there goes my Worry button again! I did also call my Lyme Doc to let him know and I am waiting for a call back.
Posts: 204 | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Something else to rule out: ibc. My former roomate had this and it was treated as just a rash for a few months until it got quite bad. The odds are low, but better to know about it....
posted
my rash was all over my body but symetrical. If it started on one leg it was on the other ...one hip than the other.
at one point before treatment with ABX it was 75% covering my body. Can you say "play in traffic?!" pattiecake
Posts: 687 | From PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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I just want to say that testing for coinfections is just as unreliable as testing for Borrelia. I tested negative for all coinfections on my first set of tests. Tested positive for all coinfections on my second and only a couple on my third set. All these tests were done prior to any specific treatment for any of the coinfections.
Corgilla
-------------------- "I'll never forget good old Whatsisname." Posts: 694 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
Also consider the posibility of a yeast infection. I had this on my arms, bilaterally. Going on anti yeast drugs, cutting back on sugar/ carbohydrates and having lots of yogurt/probiotics made the problem go away. The rash was VERY VERY itchy (especialy considering that I can't feel much on my left side thanks to lyme damage).
The rash was much worse with a little sweat and eventually started to ooze with a serus discharge. I usually have a sock like thing to cover the picc site and this even made things worse.It took 3 weeks of high dose nystantin to clear it up.
You might try to put a piece of tape over a small part of the rash site, if it ,makes it worse the next day and if the area is moist it is a good indication that it is yeast. If there is any moistness you can also have it cultured by your Dr.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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You hit on an interesting point. I called my local health food store and told her about the herbs I am taking. She suggested I stop everything but the vitex. Also she said that it is possible that it could be yeast. I take a probiotic and try to take it every night. I have been trying to stay away from the sweets also. That link really bothered me about the inflammatory breast thing. I am going to try and not worry about it and hopefully it will go away soon. I called the Dermatologist again today Posts: 204 | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Hmmm.... I get a rash somewhat like you describe on the back of my thigh sometimes. It is itchy, red, and turns into fluid filled blisters with redness extending outside the blistered area. It will come and go for weeks at a time, healing one area and later re-emerging an inch away. The healed areas have a darker slightly scared appearance that eventually fades.
No kind of medication seems to have any effect.
The last I had it my wife aspirated a drop of fluid with an insulin syringe, and we looked at it with a microscope. It was full of what looked like the cyst form of Bb... little clear spheres containing mostly granular material, but sometimes the more snake like forms.
So, I suspect this rash is also Lyme related. (I have had the more typical EM rash on my lower leg before, and one of the examples on CanLyme is mine.}
Staph infections can cause a rash like you describe, and be very persistant. They are itchy and spreading and tend to crust over with yellowish looking scabs. Your Dermatologist would have picked up on that though.
I don't know about the inflamatory breast thing... But the general guideline regardless of where a rash is located is that if it is spreading into the underlying tissue, especially if it gets 'hot'... you are in danger.
A rash that stays confined to the surface layers on the other hand may just be an annoyance.
So watch for signs of deeper inflamation, especially if you get a fever or notice alot of redness.
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I did also call my Lyme Doc to let him know and I am waiting for a call back.
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