Am I infected? What should I do?

[patient49]

So i posted a few days ago and wanted to post again for help.  A week ago I got a tick on me and pulled it out like I usually do, and I'm pretty certain it was in my arm for less then 10 hrs, as I noticed it at the end of the work day and check for ticks on a regular/daily basis. So i broke the tick in the process but was sure to get the rest of it out. The next day I noticed a circular rash which i thought was odd, but realized that was where the tick had bit me. This still didn't concern me but I noticed only two days later a pain keep coming up in my hand (the same arm I got the tick bite). That caught my attention while working and I was like what is that pain. Then the next day my hand was swollen and stayed swollen for two days! The next day, which was only 4 days later I this had now caught my attention and I associated it all with the tick bite. My hand has never swelled. Si When I looked up Lyme symptoms all of these symptoms were classic lyme related, from the "bullseye rash" to the swollen had /joint pain. However it is weird because the tick wasn't in me for more than 10 hrs, most likely 8 or 9, and I read that symptoms of swelling come much later than 4 days!  
Now, since the swelling I have felt run down/drained of energy and even feel infected. But I cant be sure. My local doctor believes I do not have it, but others are telling me that my symptoms are enough to warrant antibiotics.
What do you think? What is your experience?
I hate the idea of antibiotics or pharmaceuticals but I feel like I might be infected, I'm guessing I am. And I believe I am going to start them tomorrow :(
What do you think, any help would be very appreciated.

Thank you,
Ash

[patient49]

Thank you guys for all your help!  Today I was sore and week and drained, but my symptoms have been very minimal since the medication. Who knows, can never be sure.  But what I do think we can be sure of is that though our goal and effort is to not be sick/struggle, I believe it is an inevitable part of life.. which can make us beautiful. :)  Just my phylosophy on life. Thanks so much for all your help..

:)  Ash

[cave76]

May you continue to not be too sensitive to the sun and to never get nausea. And may all your symptoms resolve and never return.

[mojogal]

Glad to hear that. I never had any problems with the doxy but heard of others who did. Then again, I have ulcers and perhaps my ulcer medication helps.

We are hoping for the best for you!

[patient49]

Thank you guys, for your continued support!

I was exposed to sun throughout the day and dont have a rash, but I felt a sensativity to it as if I would so I stayed protected for the most part.
Cave, maybe you grew a tolerance to the doxy.
Mojogal, I havent really had any problems with the doxy so far, so no real nausea.

Thanks again guys :)

Ash

[cave76]

The funny thing about sunburn and doxy----- and sorta repeats what mojo said------ I took several long courses of doxy. Although I had never had a sunburn in my life I got it while on doxy!

BUT the last course I took, same brand doxy, same person, same weather (sunny CA) I discovered that I didn't need to protect from sunburn!!!

Go figure. Number 687 on the 'weird' things about Lyme.

@patient------ you'll just have to use yourself as a guinea pig. :) But don't let the first test be a BIG one, like going in a boat fishing all day. You may be lucky.

[mojogal]

Ash, I think it depends on the person. I live in Fl, I never had sun issues or never had stomach problems, nausea when taking doxy.

Wishing you the best of luck.

[patient49]

Thank you so much guys!  If I didnt say it in my last post I am seeing a new doctor who is I hear the closest thing to a llmd, as my doctor honored my request for the referal.
I am feeling ok so far on the doxy, and If I tollerate it well I will insist on increasing my dose to 400 a day, 200 twice a day in otherwords. But we'll see how I feel, it's only been 15 minutes so far but I am on a fairly empty stomache.
I really appreciate all your guyses advice so far, and I do have a probiotic that I will be taking as well. And My brother went through this and he was out of commission, so I will ahve the option of not working. But I also use sun protection already anyway. I wear a light long sleave, pants, and a serious sun hat that covers all my skin.. should this work? or is it the heat as well that will affect me? We'll just see.  Thanks again guys!

Ash :)

[mojogal]

I agree with cave. 400 MG is the usual dose given by LLMD's.
In addition taking a probiotic is recommended.

Good luck.

[cave76]

If it were me (and it's NOT) I would prefer 400mg a day of doxy. Regardless of what the ILADS guidelines say, I know that many LLMDs do start out with that. But that's not medical advice, just saying that's what many of us have had rx'd.  But since you may be catching it fairly early .........Hope it'll do the trick.

Did your doctor warn you to stay out of the sun? Most people get sunburned on doxy.

Did your doctor tell you to take any calcium products (milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt or supplements with calcium in them (Tums) at least 2 hours away from the doxy? It's felt that Ca binds to doxy and lessens it's effects and with the small dose you're taking you need all the doxy you can get.

Also some people will get nausea from doxy and so take it with food or a snack to lessen it. (My fairly mild nausea went away after a few weeks)

Good luck and please report back in.

[patient49]

Cave76, thank you so much. Your advice rings true to me with my experience and research by now. I am VERY sure I am infected, it's been 9 days, it took that tick less then 9 hrs, and I just this evening insisted on perscription from my doctor, and got a referal to a more recognised as LLMD doctor who i will call for a monday appointment hopefully.  I feel like I'm infected, and it's pretty serious I feel.  I got a perscription at Right Aid this evening for 2 100mg capsules a day, and I will be taking one of then  tonight; I've just had some anxiety about this because my doctor was not supportive and it was really hard to get 14 days of 200mg out of him. So i'm a bit anxious at the time which is why I have delayed the meds but I know I need to take them tonight.. It's just been a very overwhelming evening all in all.  
But Thanks so much and your giuses help in this prosess has been vital, and I'll update. Thanks again!!
Ash

[cave76]

Tick spit (or saliva for the sensitive among us)

Another obfuscation by the CDC along with 10 days will cure you.

Thomas Mather, many years ago, published his finding about spirochetes in tick spit and how long a tick has to be attached before it can transmit Lyme, if it's infected.

The CDC used to say 48 hours, which I always felt was wrong for reasons I won't mention here because it's just my testimonial.

Sometime later the 'common knowledge' about length of attachment got downgraded to 24 hours.

Mather and others have found live spirochetes in tick saliva---- many years ago. The chetes have to migrate from the ticks midgut to it's saliva and depending on how fast they do it-----just a few hours, or even less, can put a chete into your bloodstream.

Don't take my word for it. I can copy/paste the article and furnish the link.

[cave76]

Mojo said:
"You will get the same advice from most of us"

Yes! Only I won't be as kind as she was. LOL

What are you waiting for? You had the bulls-eye rash. That's the best thing that could have ever happened to you vis a vis Lyme!

It's a sign from the CDC or somewhere else (grin) that you have Lyme!

What are you waiting for? (grin)

If you hate antibiotics just think how much you'll hate losing your job if you get worse and can't continue to work.

That has happened to MANY people who either waited too long because they 'hated' antibiotics or because their idjit doctor wouldn't treat them for it soon enough or long enough.

I hope you take the above as 'tough love' because that's what it is. And I'm only saying those things to try to jolt you into a place that realizes just how serious Lyme can be.

Sure, you'll hear about people who 'had Lyme' and cured it with some less than scientific methods.

Do you want to try those ways? That's your prerogative. I wish you success with those.

You know I luv ya, don't you? (grin) And all other people who are trying to make their way through this morass of a disease.

Next reply will be about tick spit.

[patient49]

Thank you very much!  :)

[mojogal]

Ash, I remember you don't like the idea of antibiotics but I would start doxycycline as soon as possible for 4-6 weeks at least. You don't want it to turn into chronic Lyme disease which can make you much worse.

It is no surprise that Your local doctor would not think you have it as mainstream doctors don't usually believe in Lyme.

You will get the same advice from most of us. As I said last time, if I knew I was bit over 20 years ago, I would run for the Doxy gladly to avoid all the pain and suffering and misdiagnoses that I have experienced for the past years.