but NO, I HAD to go to my brother-in-law's farm for a Memorial Day Cookout!

Sheesh!

I've read everything I could about a tick bite during treatment.

And, as I suspected, my main worry is reinfection w/babs and ehrlichia (I think I'm covered for bart with the Rifampin I'm on).

A new concern that I didn't think about was possible infection with a different strain of Bb.

Oh, and the best part? I think I see a bullseye forming around the bite. Ugh!

I called the LLMD and she told me to watch for symptoms worsening and save the tick and bring it to my visit in a couple of weeks. It's in 5 ziploc bags and a Glad Container in the freezer.

I just feel like whining, but any comments or cautions or advice is certainly welcome!

Pea

Oh my. My first thought is to tell you not to worry it is a sterile tick. HA!

How about you were in a no lyme zone so you are OK?

You have got to be OK. It will be OK.

Look at the positives:

You have a lyme literate doc.

You have the tick so it can be tested. (How reliable is tick testing anyway?)

You know what to look for and your doc knows how to treat if needed.

That tick was messing with the wrong person when it decided to steal your blood.

Those buggers can get ya' no matter HOW careful you are.

Just thinking out loud..if you are on Rifampin, you will get Bart in the bloodstream. Then, you are on what with the Rifampin? Doxy?

Doxy (at the right dose) can get Lyme (I would think any strain) and Erlichia.. in early stages.

Could you also ask Doc if it would be OK to start some Artimisinin (I like the one by Holly Pharmaceutacls, but I hear good things about Allergy Research brand, and that one you can probably find on the internet for fast delivery)

High quality Artimisinin can get Babs in the blood. Research from Holley Pharma says tx for Malaria is around 300mgs for one week. Other's will suggest 200mgs for several weeks for Babs. I read allot on blood concentration rates, ect..and decided for myself to pulse high doses, one week on and a few days off..then on again..because absorbtion apparently drops significantly after a few days..goes back up after take a break. You may do fine with steady 200mg dosage. I don't know..

Your area is endemic for Babesiosis..it might be wise to treat prophalacticly before it sets up shop anywhere.

Artimisinin helps other things, too, they speculate..maybe would not hurt.

Just my thoughts..

Mo

I'm on Rifampin and Omnicef.

I thought the rifampin will kill Bb?... she just added omnicef about a month ago.

I think the idea behind keeping on the current path is that she's already treating me for lyme and there's not much more to do unless I suddenly worsen. I live a 3 hr drive away and I have an appointment a week from Saturday.

I'm assuming that she'll treat for babs and ehrlichia if needed.

Anyhow, I'll speak to her about the artimisinin soon.

By the by... as of this am, the bit has all but disappeared... weird, huh? Good? yes!, I guess!

It's so great to be able to come here and rant and have people, who can relate, really listen!

Thank you so much for the trouble you've gone to!

You are a dear!

Though, I want you to understand, I am currently being treated for lyme.

If I were you, I would ask to be switched to Doxy or Mino because of the new bite, and also because it is the reccomended class of abx to use with Rifampin.

I mean, at least to discuss it. Your Doc can explain to you the reasoning behind staying on Omnicef, if that's what she thinks you should do.

Mo