posted
Hi Everyone, I just found this site while searching for information on how to treat my tick bite. I live in an area with lots of ticks and I know many people who have been diagnosed with Lyme. I have been bitten many times over the years by ticks but have never had a Lyme test. I do have fibromyalgia (I know, maybe this is really Lyme).
Two days ago, I removed a tick from my scalp. The bite area was very sore and immediately felt different than other tick bites (which were painless). Yesterday morning, I felt funny -like I do the day before I get a cold - headache and slightly swollen glands and sore throat, sore skin on my leg - weird, I know. I immediately went to see my DR and asked for an antibiotic. He didn't want to give it because he said I had no Lyme symptoms yet. But he relented and gave me 14 days of 1000mg Amoxycilin. He wants me to come in for a Lyme test in 2 weeks.
My question - Is this an effective preventative treatment? I thought it should be 3 weeks, not 2 weeks. I hate to take this for nothing.
I appreciate any advice. You folks sure seem to know a lot about Lyme. Probably more than my doctor.
[ 25. June 2008, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: JillNight ]
Posts: 4 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2008
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NanaDubo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14794
posted
My first infection 8 years ago, I was given a month of amoxy which ended up not being enough and they knew even less about it then.
Just my two cents.
You will be hearing from more folks soon about getting to an LLMD (Lyme literate doctor) asap.
Sorry you got this bite Posts: 1129 | From Maine | Registered: Feb 2008
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Jill-
Usually Doxicycline is the ABX of choice to start with- 400 to 600mg spread threw the day- for 6 weeks minimum --
You are in the Golden few days where Lyme is easier to treat - Do what you need to do to get proper treatment - You live in Lyme Central- If the doc you have dose not know what needs to be done get new one Quickly - Jay-
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
hi jill, welcome; so glad you found us.
please UPDATE MY PROFILE and delete your date of birth due to id theft purposes; it's no one's business ok.
BUT most importantly, while there please go to bottom of page and ENABLE PRIVATE MESSAGES so we can send you LLMD, LYME LITERATE MD, NAMES WHEN YOU SEEK THEM.
ALSO, I SEND MY NEWBIE PACKAGE BY PRIVATE MESSAGE...read below; later; leaving!!!! ***************************************
WELCOME, would you like a FREE copy of my newbie package of 124 pages info galore sent by LYMENET'S PRIVATE MESSAGE system here; includes TREEPATROL'S LINK of his archive of over 1000 links of good lyme info?
I've been completely REORGANIZING it; NOT DONE YET; but up to page 60 since I have now created a TABLE OF CONTENTS WITHOUT PAGE NUMBERS since it changes DAILY! The part NOT organized yet is the last 30 pages of SSDI, ss disability insurance benefits tips/forms!
also, please go to TREEPATROL'S NEWBIE INFO IN MEDICAL; at top being features; mark it as a favorite! over 1000 links of good lyme info. He/I have some duplicates.
most of mine is very DETAILED info on certain things: SSDI/ss diability insurance benefits; FINANCIAL BURDENS; about IGENEX blood testing, symptoms lists for the basic types, NOIR/no infrared SUNGLASSES, etc. and how to use this board!
If you would like my newbie package, please send me a PRIVATE MESSAGE. PMs are the 2 people standing together icon to right of your name. Just ask me to send you lyme package, and I'll get it to you promptly. Thank you!
**********************
Also, if you are needing a LLMD, LYME LITERATE MD, please post on board in SEEKING DR. forum. Go to FORUM HOME, right corner click, and then chose seeking dr.
We ask that ALL members post in seeking dr. and START THEIR OWN ``NEW'' POSTS vs. adding on to someone else's because we can NOT keep track of who has been answered and who NEEDS to be replied to ok!
Many of you have been sending me a private message asking for llmd names and have NOT posted on the board. I require you to post online because when you show the state and largest cities nearest you; others from YOUR STATE WILL JUMP IN and give you the MOST CURRENT info that they have.
We have nationwide lists do NOT have most current info! We do what we can, but we depend on members to share all updates, deletions, phone nos. not working or changed, etc. with us. Then we let the others know promptly who have lists!
So thank you for starting YOUR OWN POST in seeking dr! We/I will help you as much as possible over there! Betty *******************************************
When you post or reply, please break up your solid, continuous block text
welcome to the board! many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``THREE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
if you are NOT a wordy person, you can do 2 or 3 total ok. do this for your entire post.
then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND
we thank you for helping us; otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. I'm also in the early stages of losing my eyesight from diabetes retinopathy.
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
This would be my advice to you: On this site, under "Questions and Discussion," click on "Finding a Doctor."
Find someone close to you, and call their office, and say, "I was just bitten by a tick a few days ago, I have symptoms, and I feel like it might be Lyme. Even if I can't get an appointment, I was wondering if I should take some medication right away, because I heard from others I should." Hopefully they will prescribe you something. See what THEY prescribe.
It seems like your doctor is doubtful, and I don't know if 500mg Amox is enough! The doctors people list on this board are very reputable.
This is the CRUCIAL time period where if you do in fact have Lyme (or got anything else like babesia or bartonella, erlichia), you can make it a mere inconvenience and not a life-changing experience by doing something! But you have to do it NOW!
Even if some of those doctors you find are too far away, I would just call, ask to speak to a nurse, and just sort of get the general consensus on what people want to give you. I have heard Doxycyclene is the best, as someone else posted above.
Even if you have to drive 2 hours to get it, I would! (I would drive 8!)
Being on antibiotics for a month, even if you have nothing, will not hurt you at all. Just go to the health food store and get some high-quality probiotic supplements (ex--Acidophilus), and take 4 pills, 3 hours after each antibiotic dose.
I hope you have nothing, but the fact you are on this message board shows that you intuitively know something is wrong! Whether it is Lyme or not, I don't know, but good luck!
Also, as far as testing goes, go to Igenex.com. They are the best as far as testing. They will mail you a kit. Take it to your doctor and tell him if he is going to test you, you want that test. You should also test for Babesia (I like the FISH test from Igenex).
If you are going to go to the hassle of getting your blood drawn, it is best to know for sure, and to use the best, right? (keep in mind, even Igenex will test neg sometimes if it's positive, so pay attention to your symptoms.)
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I agree, this is the time to make sure you get the treatment you need. I would definately find an LLMD ASAP. It's obvious to me your doctor may not be taking this seriously.
Flu like symptoms are a sign of Lyme disease. If you are experiencing those, than it's very important it gets taken care of now, before it gets to far.
-------------------- C.D.C = "Country Doesn't Care" Ticks are like Snipers, you don't know they're there, until you see the bullseye. Posts: 86 | From Upstate New York | Registered: Jun 2007
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
Generally, you need 400-600 mg of doxy/ day for at
least 2 months, possibly with some other stuff for co-infections &
I edited my post above because I just realized that I am taking 500mg twice a day for a total of 1000mg per day of Amoxycillin. That's better, I suppose, but I sure hope it works as good as the Doxycycline.
I am going to try to find a local Doctor's name/number and call tomorrow.
Jill
Posts: 4 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2008
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But he relented and gave me 14 days of 1000mg Amoxycilin. He wants me to come in for a Lyme test in 2 weeks. 
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otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me. I'm also in the early stages of losing my eyesight from diabetes retinopathy. 
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