Any Doctors &/or people that have had either Lyme Disease? Posting here for traffic.

[ShakingAndShocked]

About 9-10 days ago I saw what I believed to be a bog standard but unfortunate insect bite on my inner huge right thigh. I do always have quite strong reactions to bites and mine always end up worse than anyone elses (IE if on hols and each of get bitten, theirs stay pretty contained but mine just huge reaction) so thought nothing of it.

However... a friend has just seen it and asked if Doc seen it to which I replied no (in a 'no, it's just a bite FFS!' kinda way) Friend replied she thought it was a 'bullseye' rash poss indicative of a tick bite and thus in urgent need of antibiotics. Ergo if you are a doctor or if you have experience of Lyme can you please please offer your advice/view?

Bite - at point I first saw it (weirdly it was not itchy like other bites not painful, hence only realising bitten when SAW it!) - was very very red and quite 'hot'; could see the bite at centre but broadly bite and surrounding spherical 'spread' were all same colour (v red/pinky/hot). Over past week it's 'refined' to leave just the dot (bite) in the middle and the outer 'circle'. Will post pics but can only do that from mobile so will be in next post.

Be really grateful for advice from anyone who knows what they are talking about

Naty it's a tricky one as children can present very different symptoms to adults.

They quite often don't get the rash. Fewer than 10% of confirmed cases of lymes in children have had the accompanying bullseye rash here.

When ds has been bitten here he's never developed a rash and not been given drugs. If he felt unwell they would have given him the drugs even in the absence of a rash.

It's also tricky because doxycycline is by far the best treatment but they are advised not to use it in children under the age of 9 so give amoxicillin.

And obviously it can be hard to spot some of the vaguer systems in young children.

What on earth do you mean chronic Lyme is a hoax and a scam??? It isn't and if you don't get treatment for lymes then you will develop it which is why my sons travel insurance is always loaded and he pays more than my husband who is on statins because even though he had the treatment the insurance companies won't take chances. It is a horrible illness and causes depression as well as physical symptoms my friend is very much alive and well 8 years later as he got the appropriate treatment and my son is also fine.
As I said if you have any concerns go to the gp it is nothing worse than a long course of antibiotics. In the USA where we lived when my son got it they don't even take a blood test as it takes weeks to come back and so it pointless. They just go on history or in my sons case the bull eye rash.

Ok, I was trying to avoid this as my phobia is so acute that even typing the name of it causes me anxiety (understatement). I suffer from acute emetophobia, even a potential risk of v*miting terrifies me and my recent bout of it only reinforced that That's been the main driver of my needing to be as absolutely certain as I can be that I need to take the ABs (as well as the obvious caveats/cautions about ABs and fact I saw NO tick and GP not even certain have it).

In terms of time, GP was prepared to do the blood test and 'see' and she was pretty clear that I did have a window in which to decide but issued the script on basis that as long as I have them I can then just start them; she said there was still a window in which I'd be safe even if paused before ABs (tho am now wondering if this is true given some of the posts on here).

Anyway, I am going to take them starting today but I will not lie, I am literally terrified. I appreciate that anyone who does not suffer from emetophobia will likely have no clue why I would be scared, why I would really consider the option of not taking them, and why it's taken me a few days to decide; but I have listened to all of you and I am starting with morning dose after eaten breakfast (only just awake as was DD's Prom last night so a very late breakfast!)

Thanks all again, really am very appreciative of all. I'll update when swallowed first one and maybe how I get on for next couple of weeks but please know that none of this has been, or is, easy for me (again I suspect only other Emetophobes may even begin to understand this).

You really are a lovely bunch of vipers so here, have some

Started them. I won't pretend I'm fine as I'm not, I'm scared shitless; I do though now realise/know I absolutely should take them hence doing so.

Thank you all

Meant to ask, what is this about needing 4 weeks and 2 weeks not enough? If am taking them I do at least want to know it's worthwhile and effective in event is Lyme so what do I do about the fact PPs have raised the above point?

As ever, grateful for answers!

Chronic Lyme IS a hoax and a scam. See these articles -- and DON'T submit to Lyme disease treatments for vague physical ailments. These treatments kill.

www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/06/15/dangerous-unproven-treatments-for-chronic-lyme-disease-cause-are-on-the-rise/?utm_term=.aa8459456dcf

arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/report-reveals-years-of-suffering-death-from-therapies-for-chronic-lyme/

www.thedailybeast.com/predator-doctors-take-advantage-of-patients-with-chronic-lyme-scam

news.vice.com/article/if-you-think-you-have-chronic-lyme-disease-most-doctors-say-youre-wrong-1

The NHS says 2 weeks, Lyme people say 4 because the bacteria is slow growing

Early diagnosis, 2 weeks antibiotics, maybe unpleasant (make sure you eat when taking doxy)
Untreated- neurological problems, can lead to bedridden and even death

Womb why do you think it's a hoax? Why can people have Lyme for a while but not long term? Why do some get better on IV antibiotics but not other treatment?

Belated, but but your rash looks like my Lyme rash did. No tick seen because it was behind my leg. I think my GP said they can only cause Lyme/rash if on long enough to fall off (24 hours). I took antibiotics for 2 weeks and the rash went and I was fine. Also live in a tick area. Why chance it?

Sorry I just read you've started them and have emetaphobia. I was on doxy for 6 months. If I took them on an empty stomach I was sick but providing I took them with meals then it was completely fine

Ps our ticks are only tiny ones, easy to miss. I got pest control out once thinking I had a bedbug!

Oh I see, I have a friend who has a fear of vomiting as well.
My son had three weeks of antibiotics when he had it which is slap bang in the middle of the 2 different recommendations.
The hoax person now you have posted your "proof" I will rest easy.

Hope you're doing ok Op. I was never actually sick taking the antibiotics but they did make me feel queasy. I treated this similarly to pregnancy morning sickness- eating little and often, ginger biscuits etc

You'll get through this

Oh and in other news I am a registered nurse and lived in Lyme CT where the illness is named after and my son got it, often joked thank goodness we didn't move to salmonella Ohio 😃

Planet

So I started with 2 doses yesterday and the one this morning and so far so good

MASSIVE thank you again everyone, even if you didn't or couldn't understand why I was conflicted you have still helped me in making what I believe to be the correct course (no pun intended) of action.

Bloody love MN

I was given a four week dose although I had already had neurological symptoms before diagnosis. That 4 week dose stopped any other problems but the damage had already happened to my face. I had a friend who was originally prescribed 2 weeks but experienced more symptoms in that first fortnight and ended up with a line transfusing the antibiotic .

I would ask the GP direct about dosage . I am not sure if the 2 week is a cop out trying to save money or there are genuine medical reasons for the lower dose.
As others have said, take smaller meals more frequently and always eat when taking a dose. Lots of OP

Glad you're taking them OP.

I'm on the same for a chest infection. Taken with plenty of water and preferably some food and all is good. I'd ditto the staying out of the sun.

Brief update if anyone is still checking thread.

I feel shit. Absolutely fucking horrifically shit but not in an antibiotic way, in a 'I have early Lymes' way.

And I so nearly didn't take the antibiotics. Thank you every one of you. I was so lost in already being unwell, in my terror of possibly vomiting, that I simply could not see the wood for the trees.

And in the event you have stumbled across thread whilst searching within site or via google search vis Lymes as you have possibly been bitten and are unsure what to do - please, I and the fabulous MN'ers above have done your research for you. Just take the fucking antibiotics!!!

So glad you took them :) Hope you feel better quickly

Get well soon OP

Sorry you're feeling so bad. Very pleased you took the antibiotics!

Hope all goes well.

Delighted you took them and v sorry you have the new symptoms. Have you been back to the doctor (or phoned her) with them to be on the safe side? Keep taking the course and I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for the update.

Shucks but you lot are just lovely

No, haven't reported back to Doc yet as still on day 5 ABs so 9 to go and may be perfectly well by then. That said...

My own GP (who was on hols when I saw the duty doctor) has already scheduled call for check in next Monday!!!
*
NHS primary care at its finest IMHO!*