Lyme Disease Support Group

My daughter had a tick removed by a dr about 3 wks ago that was imbedded for approx 3-4 days. He did not put her on antibiotics and did not test her for lyme disease. The other night we spent the whole night in the emergency room as her face had gone numb. Of course they ran ct scans and lab work, to find out that she has bells palsy. The dr in the er seems to think that this was caused by the tick bite and is now treating her for lyme disease. Still noone has actually done a test for the lyme. My question is, shouldn't the first dr have put her on antibiotics when he removed the tick to avoid contracting lyme disease? I would have asked him at the time, but I am completely lyme illiterate.

So sorry you're going through this.

I have Lyme, Bartonella and babesia and my 9 year old daughter also has Lyme.

Yes she should have been put on abx with the tick just in case the tick was infected. Knowing what I know now if I, or my childern ever have a tick I am getting them to my LLMD for abx..

Most doctors think that Lyme doesn't exist...It's a shame...If we catch it early then we have a better chance of getting well.

The Lyme testing is very inaccurate also. Most LLMD's will treat based on symptoms not on results.

There is a post on here from Bettyg with the recommended labs to use for Lyme and co-infections. I can't find it right now and I have to leave in a little bit to go to see my LLMD. I will look tonight when I get home, or maybe someone will link it on here..

I highly suggest getting her to a LLMD.

You can post a LLMD request in the LLMD request forum on here. Give your location and the age of your daughter there.

Welcome to the group, you've come to the right place. Lots of wonderful people here and tons of information.

Post edited by: Tennesseemom7, at: 04/20/2010 06:39 AM

The tests soon after a tick bite are not usually positive. I do know that when you have a tick bite near the neck or head region- there is a greater likelihood of developing bells palsy- as the bacteria is injected çlose to this nerve. Where was your daughter's tick bite?

Pediatricians don't routinely treat tick bites, but take a "wait and see" approach. Since I have had Lyme- I have requested antibiotics from them for two tick bites- and they agreed to write the prescription.

We'll keep you both in our prayers.

Jackie

Post edited by: shorelinelyme, at: 04/20/2010 08:11 AM

My nephew had a tick bite several months ago and my sil had the tick tested and it was positive for lyme. the doc did not put him on antibiotics and said let's wait and see if he gets sick. ugggg...With all i have been through with lyme and how it has affected my entire family this got me very angry.

I'm actually impressed that the ER Doctor was willing to consider and treat for lyme. I've met several that weren't and didn't.

I had a positive WB in March 2009 for Lyme. I started seeing a LLMD in April 2009 and had blood work-up at Igenex for Bartonella and Babesia. I was diagnosed positive for Chronic lyme, bartonella, babesiosis. However, in July 2005 I ended up at the E.R. because they wanted to rule out that I was having a stroke. I had right side facial paralysis but also was having difficulty walking and slurring of speech. I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. The docs said they tested me for Lyme (I was with Kaiser at the time) and it was negative. I have no idea which test I got Elisa or Western Blot. I was prescribed pain meds and steroids. Never received any antibiotics. The neurologist that examined me at Kaiser after I was released from the hospital said with a VERY SNIPPY SMART-MOUTHED attitude that there was NOTHING wrong with me! "It's JUST Bell's Palsy". HORRIBLE HORRIBLE MAN! Well I've probably been sick with Lyme and co-infections since the late 1970's. So much for the medical profession! Good luck and please see about taking your daughter to a Lyme Literate Doctor for testing and a clinical diagnosis. Kudos for the E.R. doctor who treated her.

We never saw a tick on my son last July. First sign we had was Bells Palsy. Sadly, he ended up testing positive for Lyme Disease (July 2009). They gave him 30 days of antibiotics then but we took him to see Dr J in CT in November and he has been on antibiotics since. He is still fighting it.

Great big hugs to her and to you!