posted
Here is my situation. I ended up with a rash that seems to be poison ivy (even though I have NO idea where I came in contact with it) and it started spreading to my face. All the normal symptoms like big, watery bubbles, etc so little doubt that is what it was. It is going away now. Since it ended up by my tear ducts they put me on Pred for 5 days.
Now, here comes the weird part. Even though the obvious poison ivy is clearing up well I am noticing itchy patches all over that look more like hives than anything else. The odd thing is some are of a liniar pattern like poison ivy tends to string (looks like a cat scratch) but they don't bubble like the ivy type rash. Others are just itchy, bumpy patches that look like regular hives but I have never had trouble with hives before.
Since this lyme thing seems to complicate everything else and magnify even the little things I thought I should check in here to see if there is anything obvious I am missing before starting a wild goose chase.
I noticed a lower back pain that has been bugging me since the day after I got the poison ivy and while I thought it was a strain of some kind, now I have to wonder if it too may be related. A stiff back was my first sign I had lyme back a year or so ago.
My hands have been swelling again on and off through this too and even the regular doc thught it was an ILAD reaction to the poison ivy (in his words).
The infectious desiese specialist I see doesn't believe in treating with heavy antibiotics but did put me on a few 21-day cycles of doxy to get everything in check. It has been about 6 months since I have taken anything for the lyme itself, or retested as I have felt fairly well until this latest bout of whatever it is.
Any simple answeres to any of this or is it "goose Chase" time again?
Thanks so much!
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I am concerned that you are taking a steroid. The way I understand it, steroids "shut down" your immune system. When that happens, lyme and other tick borne infections are free to multiply in your body and take over new territory like mad.
Here is a quote from Burrascano, page 12:
"More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection. Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course. If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants."
And, from page 4:
" More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses. This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intra-articular steroids."
So, I would say to try to get on an antibiotic now--something that kills lyme.
You are noticing your lyme symptoms coming back, I take it. So, nip it in the bud.
If you have to take steroids again, be sure to take lyme antibiotics prior to starting the steroids to keep this from happening again.
They believe that we will always have some lyme bacteria in our bodies, but normally our immune systems keep it in check. However, when you shut down your immune system, the lyme takes the opportunity to get you again.
So sorry this happened. But, now you know in case you ever need steroids again. Start lyme treatment 2 days before taking the steroids. This way, the antibiotic will take the place of your immune system while you are on the steroid.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I think you need to see an ILADS-educated LLMD for a proper assessment. Take photos of your rashes.
As TF says, steroids can create a huge problem in the presence of infection.
Your linear rash sound like it may be bartonella, just one of many tick-borne infections that frequently travel with lyme. In the lower left column see the rash photos:
LDA - see Rash Photos -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Funny you should mention rashes. I have been in tx for a year and a half for Lyme and Ehrlichia--Doxy and Rofampin.
Just recently I have started having patches of itchy rashy type things. One patch erupted right over a scratch--I assumed it was an allergic reaction to either the Neosporin or the Band Aid. But here it is a month later, and I stillhave the rash that comes and goes.
And today I just noticed a small patch right above my belly button--now it was very hot and humid today, and I was outside and sweating, so I thought maybe a heat rash.
But it does concern me a bit. I'm hoping the rashes will still be there so I can show my LLMD--they're really not dramatic enough to show up on a photo.
But like yours, the rashes are the blistery, itchy type; to me they don't look like hives.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
You can PM me. I don't think it is poison ivy. I am having the same thing right now. I have been afraid of it being an allergic reaction to meds, but now I think it might be bart rashes. I had them "before I was sick" and no one could figure out what they are.
I think they are bart or lyme related. They are coming out with my new abx routine. I can't prove that, but I am waiting it out.
Since you have not been on abx you know that it isn't an allergic reaction.
Good luck. Kathy
-------------------- Severe neurological problems. Probably sick for years. Became chronically sick in Aug 2007. Undiagnosed for another 15 months. Started treatment for lyme and bart Sept. 2008. Improving, but very slowly. Posts: 515 | From washington dc | Registered: Aug 2008
| IP: Logged |
When you say this Bigshooter: It has been about 6 months since I have taken anything for the lyme itself, or retested as I have felt fairly well until this latest bout of whatever it is.
What did you take 6 months ago? If the ID doc treated you for acute lyme you probably didn't get enough antibiotics. I see you only have 3 posts--have you done much research on lyme?
Posts: 702 | From North Eastern USA | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for all the assistance. All things are pointing to just more poison ivy at this time and all MDs are saying do another week on the Pred. Small dose for short time. Hopefully this is it.
This is all really quite confusing and I certainly wish I didn't live in an area where "tick checks" are common and necessary. They used to be rare, now normal contact every day.
I spend most days in the woods (Master Maine Guide) waters and fields in one capacity or another and its just a part of life at this point.
To answer an earlier question, I was diagnosed about 9 months or so ago and did 2 twenty-one-day runs of Doxy. Everything came quickly into check and my Infectious Disease Specialist thinks everything is doing well. He isn't a big fan of heavy Antibiotics use, and neither is my PCP. I'll give them the benefit of doubt at this point as I feel MUCH better now than when I was diagnosed. Not even a comparison.
It still puzzles me that so many people can have so many opinions and experiences that are so different. It's quite overwelming actually. Someone asked about how much research I have done and I think I have filled myself to capacity at this point. For every "fact" or "opinion" there seems to be an exact opposite backed just as well. Lots of "infighting" within the medical community as to the best treatment types and courses of action too.
My thing is this; I am not looking for a lifes calling or a rebirth as someone else. I am a busy guy who works hard and loves his family. I'm good with that. I don't want a new identity as "Bigshooter the Lyme Guy" or anything like that. I just want to be "Bigshooter, who happens to have Lyme" and stay educated and healthy.
I think too much internet searching can be as harmful as doing nothing because there are so many cases and people and exceptions out there that a person can find enough to convince themself they have anything with little effort.
I found this site early on and all the members have been VERY helpful. I don't post much because I don't have much to contribute. I am as green as can be and some day I hope to find the proper course of action to stay somewhat healthy (so far so good) and just continue to learn a little whenever I get the chance.
Thanks so much for all the help. What a ride... Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
As a followup. It is 6 days later and 5 days into the next 7 day dose of Pred. The initial, blistery (obvious ivy) rash is almost completely dried and gone. No itching for several days. All the secondary spots (rash, welts, hives, ivy or whatever it was) has also stopped itching and fading to "skin-tone" color again. Swelling in hands gone back to "normal" and back pain is subsiding fast, also getting towards my "normal" baseline.
So far so good. I was outside again yesterday and found another tick embedded in my shin. I got this one out fast. It seemed to be just a mature "dog-tick" anyway. I guess I must "taste good" because they clink to me like velcro these days.
Thanks again for all the assistance.
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I JUST got over this same thing, and I know I haven't been in contact with poison ivy. I'm just calling it another one of the wacky symptoms on the Lyme roulette.
I'm glad the Prednisone helped.
-------------------- Lyme, Bart, possible Babs Currently on IV Doxy, Bactrim, Zithromax, Nystatin, Mepron Been on nearly every antibiotic since 10/09
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
For every "fact" or "opinion" there seems to be an exact opposite backed just as well. Lots of "infighting" within the medical community as to the best treatment types and courses of action too.![[bow]](graemlins/bow.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic