15th May 2006
Hi asilentsea. I am glad you posted.
Only about 50% of people who have Lyme disease get a rash, but a bull's-eye rash is a definite sign of Lyme disease. The rash alone merits treatment. Get photos of the rash, it is important documentation. Place something near it, like a coin or ruler, before photographing to give it size definition. Then you will have evidence of it later if needed.
Lyme disease is a multi-system bacterial infection caused from the bite of an infected tick. It is the second fastest growing infectious disease in the US after AIDS and the number one vector-borne illness in the US; however, the majority of the medical community is ignorant about it. The symptoms usually start off as flu-like.
It is very important that you get proper treatment with antibiotics. Getting the right treatment in the beginning of the infection may reduce the chance of long-term complications. Untreated or undertreated Lyme disease can be very serious and debilitating. I know from firsthand experience.
No Lyme test is completely reliable and results can vary by lab. The bull's-eye rash alone merits treatment. It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Besides Lyme, ticks can transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected, and it may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.
From what I understand, an infection caught within two weeks of the bite should be treated with a minimum of six weeks of the proper dose antibiotic. The antibiotics kill the bacteria when they are reproducing, which is estimated at four weeks. Six weeks of treatment will cover one growth cycle. If symptoms are still present, further treatment is warranted. A longer infection needs longer treatment. Doxycycline is often the first antibiotic prescribed because it can be effective against Lyme and the Ehrlichiosis co-infections. The dose for Lyme disease should be 300-600 mg daily. Many doctors prescribe only 200 mg. If you would like a doctor recommendation for your area, post where you are located and I will tell you of the closest knowledgeable doctors to you that I know of. The Lyme disease board at this site is very informative.
Be aware of the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (herx). Often, when people who have Lyme take antibiotics, their symptoms become worse or they get new ones. When the antibiotics kill the bacteria, toxins are released making them feel sicker. It can be very scary when it happens, but it is a good sign the antibiotics are working. Although it can vary individually, many people experience this at the beginning of treatment and every three to four weeks.
Please take this seriously. It is hard to imagine how serious this infection can become if untreated or undertreated.
Only about 50% of people who have Lyme disease get a rash, but a bull's-eye rash is a definite sign of Lyme disease. The rash alone merits treatment. Get photos of the rash, it is important documentation. Place something near it, like a coin or ruler, before photographing to give it size definition. Then you will have evidence of it later if needed.
Lyme disease is a multi-system bacterial infection caused from the bite of an infected tick. It is the second fastest growing infectious disease in the US after AIDS and the number one vector-borne illness in the US; however, the majority of the medical community is ignorant about it. The symptoms usually start off as flu-like.
It is very important that you get proper treatment with antibiotics. Getting the right treatment in the beginning of the infection may reduce the chance of long-term complications. Untreated or undertreated Lyme disease can be very serious and debilitating. I know from firsthand experience.
No Lyme test is completely reliable and results can vary by lab. The bull's-eye rash alone merits treatment. It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Besides Lyme, ticks can transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected, and it may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.
From what I understand, an infection caught within two weeks of the bite should be treated with a minimum of six weeks of the proper dose antibiotic. The antibiotics kill the bacteria when they are reproducing, which is estimated at four weeks. Six weeks of treatment will cover one growth cycle. If symptoms are still present, further treatment is warranted. A longer infection needs longer treatment. Doxycycline is often the first antibiotic prescribed because it can be effective against Lyme and the Ehrlichiosis co-infections. The dose for Lyme disease should be 300-600 mg daily. Many doctors prescribe only 200 mg. If you would like a doctor recommendation for your area, post where you are located and I will tell you of the closest knowledgeable doctors to you that I know of. The Lyme disease board at this site is very informative.
Be aware of the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (herx). Often, when people who have Lyme take antibiotics, their symptoms become worse or they get new ones. When the antibiotics kill the bacteria, toxins are released making them feel sicker. It can be very scary when it happens, but it is a good sign the antibiotics are working. Although it can vary individually, many people experience this at the beginning of treatment and every three to four weeks.
Please take this seriously. It is hard to imagine how serious this infection can become if untreated or undertreated.