posted
I HAVE LYME DISEASE. PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH IV ROCEPHIN. INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED FURTHER TREATMENT. I NOW HAVE A NEW BLOTCH IN THE CROOK OF MY ELBOW. VERY WEIRD LOOKING. LOOKS LIKE A RECTANGLE WITH A TAIL. NO ITCHING....BEEN THERE FOR 2 WEEKS NOW. TRIED EVERY KIND OF CREAM.....NO CHANGE. COULD THIS BE A NEW EM. ALWAYS WORKING IN THE YARD....ALWAYS HAVE ONGOING SYMPTOMS FROM PREVIOUS BOUT OF LYME. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING NEW GOING ON. SORRY FOR ALL CAPS...KEYBOARD IS MESSED UP.
IS THERE A WAY TO POST A PHOTO OF RASH IN THE BODY OF THE MESSAGE.
dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
up... I'd go to a MD to check if I wasn't sure.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Leelee
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Member # 19112
posted
I wonder if maybe you have Bartonella? It can cause odd skin marks.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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It is very common for EM rashes to not look like a bulls-eye (no central clearing); they can even be a different color or shape.
So, yes, it could be a Lyme rash. Lyme rashes can come and go, with or without treatment. Many times treatment will bring out rashes as well.
What is the darker area in the middle? It looks like a raised bump or an insect bite mark. Can you describe this for us?
I would take some more photos, as clear as possible, as well as several identifying you in the same picture, and the date of the photo (maybe hold a newspaper with date in the shot), for your medical files.
I would also try to find a way to get a biopsy of the EM done ASAP just in case they might be able to find Lyme via PCR.
The chances are low that it will show up, since PCR is not very sensitive (you have to capture enough of the Lyme DNA for it to show up), so don't be discouraged if it comes back negative. However, if they did find Borrelia, that would be proof of continuing infection, and your insurance company would HAVE to cover more treatment. I would chase this down with all your energy and determination.
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
After looking closely at your photo, I agree with nenet. To my untrained eye it looks like a rash from a tick bite.
At first, before I saw your photo I suspected Bartonella and it still could be I suppose, but now I am leaning toward a Lyme rash.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
FYI....I have previously tested positive on PCR of blood and urine, but that was about 4 years ago. I will try to get a better picture.
I also don't know what that red dot is in the center. It wasn't there initially...showed up about 2 days ago. The blotch itself is about 2 weeks old.
Posts: 195 | From NJ | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
During my last bout with Lyme, I had a huge bullseye on the side of my face (and I actually had removed the tick). After 56 days of IV Rocephin, it gradually faded. Two weeks after they pulled the PICC line, I broke out with 4 more bullseyes on the back of my neck.
My insurance company believes that positive Pcr of blood and urine and WB 41......is NOT proof that you have Lyme disease! They cut off all treatment because they said I did NOT have Lyme disease in the opinion of their infectious disease Dr. that handles appeals. So, I am done with them paying for anything related to Lyme.
Posts: 195 | From NJ | Registered: Nov 2003
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
That looks like a tick bite to me. I believe that my red rash came first (started out like a hive, then got larger and flat like your picture), and the red dot in the center came later.
The red dot stayed for months. The EM was gone in about 3 weeks. The lyme doc prepared me for the fact that the red dot would last for months before fading. He said it was the "invasion point."
So, I think you got bit by a tick with lyme. They like the crook of the elbow, back of knee, and similar places.
Congratulations on the good pic and being able to post it!
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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