posted
Hi! I have not posted in some time, I am really curious to what everyone might think or already knows about the following questions:
1. Can positive RA factor - although low titer be an indication of lyme (and/or ehrichliosis)? 2. Is there a chronic ehrichliosis disease alone? 3. Are multiple - some autoimmune and get a lot worse in sunlight - rashes consistent with either lyme or ehrichliosis?
I have all these things - have recently been cleared of lupus bloodwork - I have had a positive CDC ehrichliosis test in 1999. And positive for lyme ONLY by bowen (not clear what people actually think about that though) - only 41 on other lyme test (drawing blank about that name - oh that happens too - can add that to my list)
ANY advice, thoughts, stories etc would be so greatly appreciated as I am driving my dermatologist crazy with all my bizarre skin (amoung other) problems.
Brodius
Posts: 78 | From connecticut | Registered: Jan 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Brodius, check Cheryl's lyme info site for co-infection info:
I have wondered this myself. My rheumatoid factor keeps going up every time I have bloodwork. The rheumatologist says I don't have RA, nor do I have any joint problems except for my left knee. I haven't started antibiotic treatment yet.
I have a rash on my legs and a different kind of rash on my upper arms. Sunlight makes the one on my arms worse, but doesn't seem to effect the one on my legs. As time goes by, the one on my legs has gotten worse but the one on my arms comes and goes.
I've only been tested once and it was negative.
The doctor says my legs have petichiae, however it's spelled, which is little red spots. The one on my upper arms doesn't have a name, I guess, and looks like a deep acne.
It's a good bet that our immune systems are responding with skin manifestations. I'm not sure if how something looks is always the best way to diagnose what's causing it.
Lynne
Posts: 353 | From Florida boonies | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Thanks so much Bettyg - I have not been to that site - I will start reading.
Hi Lynne, I really can't get a good grasp from anything online regarding tick bourne diseases and RA factor - I sometimes have tremendous pain, cracking and creeking and then it will be completely gone for awhile. I am a 35 y.o. (female) so, I really shouldn't be experiencing this but my rhemuy also does not think RA (titers not high enough).
My skin is absolutely out of control. My derm. is now thinking I may have an autoimmune skin disease called Pemphigus - Ive had those small red dots too that you mentioned, multiple outbreaks of indeterminate rashes, a malar rash, granuloma annulares, shingles, and precancerous mole, hives, you name it - my poor skin is really effected by this thing (lyme and/or ehrli)and it all gets worse in the sun.
Its all so fun, isn't it? Thanks for your responses, I feel like I am always trying to figure this thing out and it certainly isn't always easy!
brody
Posts: 78 | From connecticut | Registered: Jan 2005
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